# Nouadhibou

> city in Mauritania

**Wikidata**: [Q184184](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q184184)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nouadhibou)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nouadhibou

## Summary
Nouadhibou is a city and commune located in Mauritania, functioning as the capital of both the Dakhlet Nouadhibou region and the Nouadhibou department. Situated on the Atlantic coast, it is a significant urban settlement in the country. The city has seen substantial population growth, recording 173,525 residents in the 2023 census.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: City and commune of Mauritania.
- **Location**: Located in the Nouadhibou department; Capital of Dakhlet Nouadhibou and Nouadhibou (department).
- **Population**: 173,525 (2023 census); 118,167 (2013 census); 72,337 (2010 census).
- **Coordinates**: 20.91475° N, -17.050166° W (specifically applies to the city hall/mairie).
- **Elevation**: 16 meters above sea level.
- **Time Zone**: UTC±00:00.
- **UN/LOCODE**: MRNDB.
- **Native Name**: نواذيبو (Nouadhibou).
- **Historical Names**: Port Étienne (also Port-Étienne, Port Etienne).
- **Twin Towns**: Fuzhou (since Sept 8, 2018), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
- **Identifiers**: VIAF ID 159937697; GND ID 4406031-2; GeoNames ID 2377457.

## FAQs
**What is the geographical location of Nouadhibou?**
Nouadhibou is situated in Mauritania at coordinates 20.91475 latitude and -17.050166 longitude, with an elevation of 16 meters. It operates on UTC±00:00 time.

**What are the demographics of Nouadhibou?**
The city has experienced steady growth, with a census population of 72,337 in 2010, increasing to 118,167 in 2013, and reaching 173,525 in 2023.

**What are the administrative functions of Nouadhibou?**
Beyond being a city and commune, it serves as the administrative capital for the Dakhlet Nouadhibou region and the Nouadhibou department.

**What are the alternative names for Nouadhibou?**
The city was historically known as Port Étienne. It is also referred to as Nouadibou, Nuadibu, and by various names in different languages, such as نواديبو (Arabic) and ヌアディブー (Japanese).

**Which international connections does Nouadhibou have?**
Nouadhibou maintains sister-city relations with Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Fuzhou, the latter established in 2018.

## Why It Matters
Nouadhibou serves as a crucial administrative and demographic hub within Mauritania. As the capital of the Dakhlet Nouadhibou region, it plays a central role in local governance. Its rapid population growth—more than doubling between 2010 and 2023—highlights its increasing significance as a settlement. Furthermore, its international twinning with cities like Fuzhou and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria underscores its global connectivity.

## Notable For
- Serving as the capital of the Dakhlet Nouadhibou region.
- Rapid population growth, surpassing 170,000 residents by 2023.
- Historical significance under the name "Port Étienne."
- International relations through town twinning with Fuzhou and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Nouadhibou is located in Mauritania, positioned at 20.91475° N latitude and -17.050166° W longitude. The city hall (mairie) serves as the specific reference point for these coordinates. The city sits at a low elevation of 16 meters above sea level. It operates within the UTC±00:00 time zone and is assigned the UN/LOCODE MRNDB.

### Administration
The city is officially classified as a city and a commune of Mauritania. It holds administrative prominence as the capital of both the Dakhlet Nouadhibou region and the Nouadhibou department. This dual role centralizes regional governance within the city.

### Demographics
Nouadhibou has demonstrated significant population growth over the past decade.
- **2010**: 72,337 residents (census).
- **2013**: 118,167 residents (census).
- **2023**: 173,525 residents (census).

### Names and Etymology
The city's official native name is **نواذيبو**. Historically, it was known as **Port Étienne** (and variations such as Port-Étienne and Port Etienne). It has a diverse array of aliases and transliterations in various languages, including:
- Arabic: نواديبو, انواذيبو
- Chinese: 艾蒂安港
- Japanese: ヌアディブー
- Others: Nouadibou, Nuadibu, Noadhibou, Nwadibu.

### International Relations
Nouadhibou is twinned with two international cities:
- **Fuzhou**: Twinning agreement started on September 8, 2018.
- **Las Palmas de Gran Canaria**.

### External Identifiers
The entity is cataloged across numerous databases and libraries with the following identifiers:
- **Library of Congress**: n86009017
- **GND (German National Library)**: 4406031-2
- **VIAF**: 159937697
- **GeoNames**: 2377457
- **Encyclopædia Britannica**: place/Nouadhibou (as Nouâdhibou)
- **Great Russian Encyclopedia**: 2672929 (as НУАДИБУ)
- **Encyclopedia of China**: 451081 (as 努瓦迪布)
- **OpenStreetMap**: Node ID 249165824
- **Atlas Obscura**: bay-of-nouadhibou-ship-graveyard

## References

1. [Source](http://www.fuzhou.gov.cn/zgfzzt/zjrc/gjyhcs/202201/P020220117351044590058.pdf)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. GeoNames
5. BBC Things
6. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/mr.htm)