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Mauritania Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Escale des sables nouakchott, mauritanie Escale des sables nouakchott, mauritanie Terremauritanie.com Trips and vacations in Mauritania ? Tourist tours and adventures enjoyment Do not lose this golden chance Do you want to be a part in a fantastic and exciting tourist adventure? Do you like an enjoyable and special tourist trip in a fantastic region? Do you want to escape from the boredom, the routine and the work stresses? Do you like to turn back your energy and activity? Do you want to start a new departure with a safe and enjoyable tourist trip? Do not hesitate, go ahead and get rid of your stresses and problems in order to live in a wonderful atmosphere with our tourist programs Do not lose this golden chance, our services are guaranteed and our trips are enjoyable and safe Do not forget that there is just one step prevent you from this enjoyable tourist adventure which will get you rid of your stresses and refresh your life So do not hesitate cross this step and participate in our enjoyable tourist programs Do not retreats if you did you will lose this unique occasion ? welcome to Mauritania Welcome to a unique and fantastic world, welcome to Mauritania, and welcome to the most beautiful desert in Africa with its charming oases Welcome to the history and the civilization and the historic ancient cities with its special architecture and its libraries which are full of ancient manuscripts Welcome to the enjoyable charming nature with its unique diversity, where it includes the deserts, the mountains, the valleys and the ocean in a beautiful and charming mixture Welcome to the Atlantic Ocean beach where the water the beautiful white sand, charming islands and resorts, full of thousands of migrating water fowls Welcome to Mauritania the country of generosity and hospitality Come and discover the wonders of Mauritania and senegal and its bright magic, enjoy yourself with an exciting trip in unique atmospheres Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: www.mauritaniatours.com __________History Edit This North of Moudjeria North of Moudjeria Eric Studer The Sahara has linked rather than divided the peoples who inhabit it and has served as an avenue for migration and conquest. Mauritania lying next to the Atlantic coast at the western edge of the desert received and assimilated into its complex society many waves of these migrants and conquerors. Berbers moved south to Mauritania beginning in the third century A.D. followed by Arabs in the eighth century subjugating and assimilating Mauritania's original inhabitants. From the eighth through the fifteenth century black kingdoms of the western Sudan such as Ghana Mali and Songhai brought their political culture from the south. The divisive tendencies of the various groups within Mauritanian society have always worked against the development of Mauritanian unity. Both the Sanhadja Confederation at its height from the eighth to the tenth century and the Almoravid Empire from the eleventh to the twelfth century were weakened by internecine warfare and both succumbed to further invasions from the Ghana Empire and the Almohad Empire respectively. The one external influence that tended to unify the country was Islam. The Islamization of Mauritania was a gradual process that spanned more than 500 years. Beginning slowly through contacts with Berber and Arab merchants engaged in the important caravan trades and rapidly advancing through the Almoravid conquests Islamization did not take firm hold until the arrival of Yemeni Arabs in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries and was not complete until several centuries later. Gradual Islamization was accompanied by a process of arabization as well during which the Berber masters of Mauritania lost power and became vassals of their Arab conquerors. From the fifteenth to the nineteenth century European contact with Mauritania was dominated by the trade for gum arabic (see Glossary). Rivalries among European powers enabled the Arab-Berber population the Maures (Moors) to maintain their independence and later to exact annual payments from France whose sovereignty over the Senegal River and the Mauritanian coast was recognized by the Congress of Vienna in 1815. Although penetration beyond the coast and the Senegal River began in earnest under Louis Faidherbe governor of Senegal in the mid1800s European conquest or "pacification" of the entire country did not begin until 1900. Because extensive European contact began so late in the country's history the traditional social structure carried over into modern times with little change. The history of French colonial policy in Mauritania is closely tied to that of the other French possessions in West Africa particularly to that of Senegal on which Mauritania was economically politically and administratively dependent until independence. The French policy of assimilation and direct rule however was never applied with any vigor in Mauritania where a system that corresponded more to Britain's colonial policies of association and indirect rule developed. Colonial administrators relied extensively on Islamic religious leaders and the traditional warrior groups to maintain their rule and carry out their policies. Moreover little attempt was made to develop the country's economy. After World War II Mauritania along with the rest of French West Africa was involved in a series of reforms of the French colonial system culminating in independence in 1960. These reforms were part of a trend away from the official policies of assimilation and direct rule in favor of administrative decentralization and internal autonomy. Although the nationalistic fervor sweeping French West Africa at this time was largely absent in Mauritania continuous politicking (averaging one election every eighteen months between 1946 and 1958) provided training for political leaders and awakened a political consciousness among the populace. Nevertheless when Mauritania declared its independence in 1960 its level of political as well as economic development was at best embryonic. Mauritania's postindependence history has been dominated by regional politics (see fig. 1 ). Morocco and Algeria vying for regional dominance have continually influenced Mauritanian politics and fortunes. During the first nine years of independence the regime of Moktar Ould Daddah was preoccupied with expansionist designs by Morocco whose military strength constituted a perpetual threat to Mauritania's territorial integrity. This threat was intensified by the support of some of Mauritania's Maure population for unification with Morocco. In 1969 when Morocco finally recognized Mauritania's independence the Daddah regime responded by breaking many of its extensive economic and military ties to France and establishing closer relations with Arab states including both Morocco and Algeria. By 1975 Mauritania had entered the military conflict over the fate of the Western Sahara (see Glossary). Among the inhabitants of this former Spanish territory are the Sahrawis a group that shares ethnic ties with some of Mauritania's Maure population. The war in the Western Sahara has become a struggle by the Sahrawi liberation group the Polisario (see Glossary) for national self-determination. Regionally however the war was and continued in 1987 to be a power struggle between Algeria which supported the front militarily and Morocco which occupied the territory. Mauritania's participation in the war began with its claim to and occupation of a southern province in the Western Sahara an action designed to prevent Morocco from occupying the entire territory. At the same time the Daddah regime hoped to befriend Morocco by cooperating in the occupation of the Western Sahara. Politically from independence until the overthrow of the Daddah regime in 1978 the leadership concentrated on consolidating the power of the ruling Mauritanian People's Party and moving toward a one-party state. The regime also sought to eliminate the friction that resulted from political and social differences between the Maure and black components of the population which could impede the attainment of national unity. Economically the Western Sahara war which coincided with a period of severe drought dealt a near-fatal blow to Mauritania's development and forced the country to increasingly depend on foreign aid mostly from conservative Arab countries. The inability of the Daddah regime to extricate Mauritania from its economic problems and the war led to a military coup d'état in July 1978. During the next six years the country was ruled by military regimes whose efforts to remain outside the Western Sahara conflict were impeded by the continuing war between Morocco and the Polisario which spilled over into Mauritania's northern regions. The most durable of the military regimes during that period was led by Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidalla who assumed power in May 1979. It survived as long as it did because Haidalla skillfully balanced the factions in his government which included nationalists adherents of the Western Sahara liberation cause and proponents of close ties with Morocco. Toward the end of his regime however Haidalla began to arrogate authority at the expense of the other members of the ruling body the Military Committee for National Salvation. Some of these decisions concerned highly charged political issues such as the recognition of the Polisario's governing arm the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. The ruling committee also accused Haidalla of corruption and nepotism and decided finally in December 1984 to depose him. This act reflected Mauritania's delicate and vulnerable regional position and the necessity for its leaders to maintain a neutral position toward the Western Sahara. __________Getting There Edit This From moroco by road Get your visa in rabat. If you don't the custom will charge you the price they WANT at the border. They charged me about 5 times the price that I would have paid in Rabat. There is also a fee for the vehicule. :::::::::Akjoujt Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Normal intersection Akjoujt Normal intersection Akjoujt Alain Fournier Akjoujt is the second mining town of Mauritania. It is located roughly halfway between Nouakchott and Atar. In the direction of Nouakchott the landscape is a bit boring, flat barren desert land, but continuing to Atar you reach the mountain ranges of the Adrar and things become more interesting. Unless you have an interest in gold or copper mining the town is not really worth a stay, but it is a good place to stop if you are travelling from Atar to N'chott. Anyway, there aren't too many other option to get a soda in the neighborhood. :::::::::Amogar Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Amgor is the mountain pass between Atar and Chinguetti. The roas is not always good but the viwes are rewarding. Near the Amogjar Pass ancient rock paintings are found. :::::::: Arguin bank national park Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see The Banc d'Arguin National Park is a must see for all bird lovers and a fascinating place for anyone else. The region is a major breeding ground for both European and African birds. The park is right between Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, but most people will make the trip from Nouakchott. Unfortunately it is rather hard to visit the park en route from one to the other. This is mainly due to regulations for visiting the park and the extreme wilderness of the region: there are no regular roads to take you here and back. To make the trip you need permission from the national parks service and an official guide. You can get this in Nouadhibou at the Parc National de Banc d'Arguin office (tel 45851) or in Nouakchott. For the protection of hatchlings visitors are not allowed near the birds during mating seasons (April-July and October-January). _______Getting There Edit This Getting there is not easy. No road just a sandy beach. You will need a four wheel drive for sure. When you start out from Nouakchott you first head for Nouamghar over the beach. Rough ride. Then you need to go further north. You can either do this by boat (rent one in Nouamghar) or drive on by 4WD. :::::::Atar Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see an empty street in atar an empty street in atar thomas morgan Atar is the most important market town of the northern Adrar region. For a long time nearby Chinguetti was more important both politically and form a religious perspective, but tables have turned. Atar has a nice market where people form around come to buy and sell. Food is cheaper here than in Chinguetti. Furthermore Atar is a good place to stay and explore the region. It does have a few hotels and restaurants, where smaller towns sometimes lack these commodities. Do not count on getting money in Atar, but get it before you get here. ___________Getting There Edit This Attar is the end of the main road going north-east form Nouakchott. Getting there is not much of a problem since it is a local transport hub. [Add Global transport mode] Iron-Ore Train Edit This You can get to Atar by train from NDB via Choum. The train ride between NDB and Choum should take about 12hrs. It leaves NDB at around 2pm for Choum and leaves Choum at about 6pm (though there may be a loooooong wait) heading the other direction. You can either travel in a compartiment but be prepared to fight to get in or you can travel in the iron-ore bins for free - it gets very cold at night so bring warm clothes. type: By Air World66 rating: [rate it] ::::::::::Ayoun al Atrous Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see There is no real reason to stop in Ayoun al Atrous unless you are interested in the plastic bead trade. But it is a very long road from Nouakchott to Mali, and this may very well be one of your stops. You're a hot 800 kilometers from the capital here, so it may be time for a bath again. Onwards from here your next stop is probably Nema (350 km), a good base for exploring some more desert or going to Mali. _______Getting There Edit This Ayou el Atrous is on the main road from Nouakchott east to Nema. Trucks and Peugeots take you in both directions, but neither are frequent or fast. ::::::Cape Tagarit Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see An alternative to the Banc d'Arguin, the Cape Tagarit is nort of Tidra. you can fish, snorkel and camp without special permissions. You do not need a guide to take you here either. The views over the water are great. The water itself is very clear and there are big fish and turtles to be seen. Sea Bass and Sea bream are your most likely catches. In order to go to the cape, you need a 4WD. It is about 100 km north of Amghouar. You can reach it in about a day from both Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. :::::::Chinguetti Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Chinguetti bibliotheque Chinguetti bibliotheque www.Bildtankstelle.de Chinguetti is considered (by Mauritanians) as the seventh holy city of Islam. Although it is uncertain how much truth this claim holds, it is more original than the standard claim of being fourth (after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem) and Chinguetti did have quite a reputation as a center of learning in Islamic times. From these heydays you can still see the remains: the old city (threatened by sand dunes), manuscripts of treatises on every subject, by great Mauritanian scholars, and the 16th century mosque. Another option here is to explore the nearby desert. For example, you can rent a camel at one of the hotels or at Adrad Voyages. ___________Sights Edit This [Add Sight] Maunscript collection Edit This There are a few really impressive collections of old arabic manuscripts. They are worth a look or two. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: follow the signs ___________Day Trips Edit This [Add Day Trip] Le Point Afrique Edit This 2 rue de la Roquette, cour de Mars 75011 Paris - France Point-afrique.com Information and booking: 33 820 830 255 E-mail: contact@point-afrique.com type: general World66 rating: [rate it] :::::::Kaedi Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Kaedi is an easy going town on the northern banks of the Senegal river. It is populated by Toucouleur, Halpulaar (Fulani), Beidane (Arabs/Berbers) and Haratine (former slaves). The town does not have any major attractions, but the nearby region has a few 'forests' (don't expect too many trees) and the villages on the river are sometimes beautifully set. The whole area has started to recover from the 1989 riots. It is possible to cross the border into Senegal here, but the gards do not see many tourists. It is very easy to find a pirogue to take you to the other side. _________Getting There Edit This The road from Noakchott Kaedi via Boghe is usually in good condition. From Kaedi on can be difficult. Taxi-Brusse, 1970's era Peugot wagons, are cheap if you bargain and don't mind them being slow, crowded, breaking down frequently and the requisite goat or sheep. :::::::Kiffa Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see le phare du desert le phare du desert copyright.Terremauritanie.com Kiffa has a nice market and is on your way from Nouakchott to Nema. It makes for a nice stop, although there is no hotel in town but a nice bed and breakfast ( source www.terremauritanie.com) on the road when you arrive from Nouakchott. Nearby is an interesting canyon you can visit. For this you’ll need an all-terrain vehicle. Kiffa has quite a reputation nas a centre for beads. So if you are here, you could go to the market and get you some. ___________Getting Around Edit This Kiffa is pretty spread out for the number of inhabitants. This maybe a result of the fact that most of the people living here would rather still be herding their camels in the immensity of the desert. ::::::::Koumbi Saleh Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Koumbi Saleh is what remains of the once flourishing capital of the kingdom of Ghana. Ghana ruled the trans-saharan trade routes of salt, gold and slaves. This brought the city and the region a lot of wealth. Koumbi was a wealthy capital back then. Once it was wealthy of gold,but less salt. So the africans traded gold for salt because salt in Koumbi Saleh is more preciouse for some Africans... Traces of the town were discovered in 1913, and Koumbi is the number one archeological site of Mauritania. Koumbi Saleh is not easy to reach if you don't have your own means of transport. It is not far off the main road from Ayoun al Atrous to Nema, but the sparse traffic does not make the detor. Koumbi's history was full and joyful, still as ancient Ghana's capitol in the time of midevil africa. It was home to two peoples. One were the Soninkes, who were the locals and original people of the town. The other was the Muslims, who were traders who had come to trade and buy at Koumbi's market. It was the largest and wealthiest market in West Africa of that time. The Soninkes and the Muslims were tolerant of one another and the rulers of Koumbi, who were Soninke, were also tolerant of the Islam religion. They wanted to keep them there and continue to be a wealthy city, but they wanted to seperate the Soninkes from the Muslims. This resulted in the separation of the city. Half went to The Soninkes and the other to the Muslims. The east half of the city held the Muslims' homes. There homes were made of mainly bricks and mud. The Muslim side was also where the famous market is. The Soninkes' side consisted only of the lacals and their houses were made of mud and straw. Plus, the rulers' were on that side. They controlled Koumbi from there. If you ever decide to go to Koumbi, know that it is rich in history and is almost the same then as it is today! Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: A Journey Across Time (text book) ::::::::::::Nema Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Nema is an eternity’s drive through the desolate Sahara Desert or a quick Air Mauritanie flight (scheduled once a week it’s almost always overbooked). Nema has nothing very special to offer the visitor but has a very laid back atmosphere and gives you a good chance to encounter people from different Nomadic tribes. You're not far from Timbouctou here, although getting there may prove very hard. There is no hotel (camping is possible) but hardy travelers will find a market (good deals on plastic beads), a hospital (try to avoid it), and a bank. _______Getting There Edit This Nema is where the road pretty much stops. The Route de l'Espoir takes you here from Nouakchott in about 20 to 30 hours and that should be enough of dusty desert road for anyones apetite. Should you wish to travel further, according to the most recent reports you can cross into Mali from here, going south in about a straight line. In principle it should be possible as well to go east directly to Timbouctou (this was what caravans did for centuries) but I have not heard of anyone doing this. If you have done so, please mail me. :::::::::Nouamghar Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Nouamghar is a special kind of fishing village. Here the Imragen used strange techniques to catch fish. They stroke the water with wooden sticks and then the doplhins came closer to the coast, driving smaller fish into the nest of the fishermen. Nouamghar is about 155 kilometer north of Nouakchott, on the beach "road" to the Banc d'Arguin. ::::::Ouadane Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Oudane Fort entry Oudane Fort entry www.Bildtankstelle.de Oudane had its glory days when the slave and gold caravans between Morocco and Ghana made their last stop here. But that is long ago. Now there is just a nice, but very quite oasis town left. The wadi and the remains of the fort are impressive and it is nice to wander around in the date palmery. East of the modern town is a cliff with remains of Ksar el Klali fort and a mosque. Furtermore there is a museum here and a library you can visit. Oudane is about 120 kilometer from Chinguetti and double that from Atar. But rides are quite irregular. When driving yourself you need a 4WD and a guide might be a good idea as well, especially if you want to do Chinguetti-Ouadane. ::::::::Oulata Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Oualata is great. But getting there is even greater. It involves at least several days of hard, hot and dusty rides in jeeps. The best place to come to to get top Oualate is Nema, the market town of the region. The attraction of the town lies both in the fact that you can't get there any other then making your way through miles and miles of desert and in the beauty of the richely decorated houses. It's the women who ornament the walls of the houses, using all kinds of materials, but mainly gypsum and clay. The doors of the houses are highly decorated too. The real problem with Oulata is that it is slowly dying. Not many people like to live here any more. And as much as you will like a visit to the town, can you blame them? :::::::::Rosso Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see rosso ferry to senegal rosso ferry to senegal stuart holding Although there’s little to do in Rosso (pop. 18 000) the drive from Nouakchott is pleasant passing small villages interesting people and sand-colored rock buildings. Rosso lies on the Senegal River in the fertile southern region where the country’s crops are grown. It's nice to hang around the place where the bac from Senegal arrives. There is always something going on. Rosso has a large community of black Mauritanians, who actually feel closer to their relatives in Senegal than to the berber/arabs of the North. This gives the town a special feel. Going to Senegal you will surely be passing Rosso, from here it is only about an hours drive to Saint Louis, which has a few nice sights from the colonial period and better possibilities for accommodation. _________Getting There Edit This The road to Nouakchott is paved all the way and there is quite some motorized traffic on this track, for Mauritanian standards. The Bac takes you to Senegal, bets to arrange fro transport to St.Louis once you arive on the other side. Most of the time there is some sort of public transport waiting for the bac to bring passengers.