# Nouakchott

> capital of Mauritania

**Wikidata**: [Q3688](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3688)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nouakchott)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nouakchott

## Summary
Nouakchott is the capital city of Mauritania, located on the West African coast. It serves as the country's political, economic, and cultural hub, and has experienced rapid urban growth since its designation as the national capital in 1960.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1960, Nouakchott became the capital of Mauritania following the nation's independence from France.
- Population: Over 1.4 million (2023 census), up from just over 5,000 in 1961.
- Area: 1,000 square kilometers.
- Elevation: Approximately 7 meters above sea level.
- Timezone: UTC±00:00.
- Located on the Atlantic Ocean.
- Coordinates: Latitude 18.08581, Longitude -15.9785.
- Official languages include Arabic and French.
- Local dialing code: 20.
- Government structure includes three main administrative divisions: Nouakchott-Nord, Nouakchott West, and Nouakchott South.
- Current head of government: Fatimetou Mint Abdel Malick (President of the Regional Council of Nouakchott, since October 13, 2018).
- Twinned administrative bodies include Madrid, Lanzhou, Amman (since 1999), Tucson, Bamako, Regional Council of Île-de-France, and Brazzaville.
- Notable identifiers:
  - Wikidata ID: Q3601
  - GeoNames ID: 2377450
  - UN/LOCODE: MRNKC
  - MusicBrainz Area ID: 81e1ef6b-e78c-4d7c-bd2d-fd76598bd413
  - OpenStreetMap Node ID: 249166495
  - Who's On First ID: 890441411
- Demonym: Nouakchottian, nouakchottois.
- Major institutions and infrastructure:
  - Website: [https://crn.mr](https://crn.mr) (Arabic), [https://crn.mr/fr/](https://crn.mr/fr/) (French)
  - Regional Council of Nouakchott
- Notable historical population figures:
  - 1961: ~5,807
  - 1965: ~15,000
  - 1977: ~134,704
  - 1981: ~232,000
  - 1988: ~393,325
  - 2000: ~558,195
  - 2013: ~958,399
  - 2016: ~1,077,169
  - 2017: ~1,116,700
  - 2019: ~1,195,600
  - 2020: ~1,315,000
  - 2023 (census): ~1,446,761 (preferred figure)

## FAQs

### What is Nouakchott known for?
Nouakchott is the capital city of Mauritania and is known for being the country’s political, economic, and cultural center. It is also recognized for its rapid urbanization and modernization since becoming the capital in 1960.

### What is the population of Nouakchott?
As of the 2023 census, Nouakchott had a population of approximately 1,446,761. The city has seen significant growth from fewer than 6,000 residents in 1961 to over 1.4 million in six decades.

### What languages are spoken in Nouakchott?
The official languages of Nouakchott include Arabic and French. These are widely used in government, education, and media.

### What is the administrative structure of Nouakchott?
Nouakchott is divided into three main administrative regions: Nouakchott-Nord, Nouakchott West, and Nouakchott South. The current head of government is Fatimetou Mint Abdel Malick, President of the Regional Council of Nouakchott since October 13, 2018.

### What are some notable landmarks or features of Nouakchott?
Nouakchott is located near the Atlantic Ocean and features a low elevation of about 7 meters above sea level. It has a well-documented aerial view and locator map available via Wikimedia Commons.

### What international connections does Nouakchott have?
Nouakchott is twinned with several cities including Madrid, Lanzhou, Amman (since 1999), Tucson, Bamako, and Brazzaville. It also maintains a cooperative relationship with the Regional Council of Île-de-France.

### What is the climate and geography like in Nouakchott?
Nouakchott is situated on the Atlantic coast of Mauritania, with a relatively flat topography and low elevation. The city lies in the Sahel region, characterized by arid and semi-arid conditions.

### What is the significance of Nouakchott's growth?
Nouakchott’s population has grown from a few thousand in the 1960s to over 1.4 million by 2023, making it one of the fastest-growing urban centers in West Africa. This reflects significant rural-to-urban migration and national development.

### What are some key identifiers for Nouakchott?
Nouakchott is identified by several codes and systems:
- GeoNames ID: 2377450
- UN/LOCODE: MRNKC
- MusicBrainz Area ID: 81e1ef6b-e78c-4d7c-bd2d-fd76598bd413
- Who's On First ID: 890441411
- OpenStreetMap Node ID: 249166495

### What is the role of Nouakchott in Mauritania?
Nouakchott is the political capital and largest city of Mauritania. It hosts key national institutions, government offices, and serves as the central hub for economic and cultural activity.

## Why It Matters
Nouakchott is the political and cultural heart of Mauritania, representing the country's post-independence development. As the capital, it has become a focal point for governance, education, and economic activity. Its rapid urbanization mirrors broader trends in African capital cities, where rural-to-urban migration has reshaped national demographics. The city also plays a key role in regional diplomacy, with active twinning and cooperation agreements with international cities and regions.

## Notable For
- Rapid population growth from under 10,000 in 1960 to over 1.4 million by 2023.
- Being the political and administrative center of Mauritania since 1960.
- Hosting key national institutions and infrastructure, including the Regional Council of Nouakchott.
- Serving as a hub for regional cooperation through twinning with cities like Madrid, Lanzhou, and Amman.
- Low elevation and coastal location, making it vulnerable to sea-level rise and climate change.
- Being a key node in the Sahel region’s urban development.

## Body

### History
Nouakchott was established in 1960 as the capital of Mauritania following the country's independence from France. It was chosen for its central location and coastal access. The city's early population was small, but it grew rapidly due to rural migration and national development initiatives. By 1965, the population had reached 15,000, and by 2023, it exceeded 1.4 million.

### Geography and Environment
Nouakchott is located on the Atlantic coast of Mauritania, with coordinates 18.08581°N, -15.9785°W. The city sits at an elevation of approximately 7 meters above sea level, making it vulnerable to rising sea levels. It is divided into three main administrative zones: Nouakchott-Nord, Nouakchott West, and Nouakchott South. The city's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean has shaped its climate, economy, and urban planning.

### Demographics and Urban Growth
Nouakchott has experienced one of the most dramatic urban growth trajectories in West Africa:
- 1961: ~5,807 residents
- 1965: ~15,000
- 1977: ~134,704
- 1981: ~232,000
- 1988: ~393,325
- 2000: ~558,195
- 2013: ~958,395
- 2016: ~1,077,169
- 2017: ~1,116,700
- 2019: ~1,195,600
- 2020: ~1,315,000
- 2023 (census): ~1,446,761

This growth reflects both natural increase and rural-to-urban migration.

### Governance and Administration
Nouakchott is governed by a Regional Council, currently led by Fatimetou Mint Abdel Malick (President since October 13, 2018). The city is divided into three main administrative regions: Nord, West, and South. The government operates in both Arabic and French, the two official languages.

### International Relations and Cultural Ties
Nouakchott is twinned with several cities:
- Madrid
- Lanzhou
- Amman (since 1999)
- Tucson
- Bamako
- Regional Council of Île-de-France
- Brazzaville (with formal cooperation agreements)

These relationships reflect the city's role in international diplomacy and cultural exchange.

### Infrastructure and Digital Presence
Nouakchott has a bilingual website ([crn.mr](https://crn.mr), [crn.mr/fr](https://crn.mr/fr/)) and is identified in various global systems:
- GeoNames ID: 2377450
- UN/LOCODE: MRNKC
- MusicBrainz Area ID: 81e1ef6b-e78c-4d7c-bd2d-fd76598bd413
- OpenStreetMap Node ID: 249166495
- Who's On First ID: 890441411

### Cultural and Linguistic Identity
Nouakchott is a multilingual city, with Arabic and French as its official languages. It is also known by several names in different scripts and languages, including:
- Arabic: نواكشوط
- Local names: Nawākshūṭ, Nawakshut, Nuwākshūṭ
- Indigenous names: Nuaquexote, Nuaquechote

### Data and Research
Nouakchott is documented in numerous databases and knowledge systems:
- Library of Congress Authority ID: n79060587
- Wikidata ID: Q3601
- OpenWeatherMap City ID: 2377450
- iNaturalist Place ID: 11258
- WorldCat Entities ID: E39PBJr3BkDfXf486Q47RPChHC

These identifiers support its recognition in global geographic and cultural databases.

### Visual and Geographic Resources
Nouakchott has several visual resources available:
- Aerial view: [Nouakchott, districts en.jpg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Nouakchott,_districts_en.jpg)
- Banner view: [Nouakchott banner view from air.jpg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Nouakchott_banner_view_from_air.jpg)
- Map data: [Data:Mauritania/Nouakchott.map](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Mauritania-Nouakchott.png)

These resources help visualize the city's layout and development.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. [Coopération](https://brazzaville.cg/fr/coop%C3%A9ration)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. MusicBrainz
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. [Source](http://www.ons.mr/images/Archive/doc/publication/Annuaire_Statistique_2016.pdf)
7. [Source](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mr.html)
8. 2023 General Population and Housing Census
9. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
10. [Source](http://casacomum.org/cc/visualizador?pasta=06829.179.28191#!12)
11. GeoNames
12. BBC Things
13. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
14. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
15. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)