Economic heart with beautiful harbor
Nouadhibou is the economically most important city in Mauritania. Its Port Minéralier south of the city is used to ship the iron ore that the train brings three times a day from the mines of Zouérat and the surrounding area. In addition to the export of iron ore, gold, copper, petroleum, gypsum, salt and steel, fishing is the most important source of income for the city and the country. Mauritania's coastal waters are among the richest in fish in the world, despite severe overfishing. Nearly all of Nouadhibou's attractions are located at the port. Especially the Port Artisanal is worth seeing. In addition, the Table Remarquable, the Cap Blanc with its monk seals and the beautiful beach Kabanou should also be mentioned as places of interest.
A French relic
Nouadhibou is the second largest city in Mauritania and the real economic center. Similar to Nouakchott, Atar and Tidjikja, the city's history is closely linked to French colonial history.Founded in 1905 in French West Africa as Port-Etienne, Nouadhibou was intended to compete with Spanish-controlled cities further north - in what is now Western Sahara. The fishing port's importance grew as its boats were modernized, often with French or Spanish money. The transportation of petroleum and iron ore through the port contributed to economic growth.
Fishing in any way
However, in addition to the export of raw materials, fishing is still one of the most important economic activities in Nouadhibou today. Every day, local fishermen return with their catch around 5 p.m.. There are still Mauritanians and Senegalese who set sail from the Port Artisanal in the classic dugout canoe pirogues and then sell their fish at the market. Equally, however, there are also larger - often rusty - barges with which industrial fishing is possible. These depart from the Port autonome, which, with the Port Artisanal, forms the city's fishing port. The industrial boats often catch and process their fish on behalf of Chinese companies. The Mauritanian state also grants concessions to foreign corporations so that they can also fish on a large scale off the coast, usually out of sight of the city.
