Nouakchott history

The history of Nouakchott as a major city is surprisingly short and rapid. Even in the mid-20th century, this site was merely a small fishing village, known as a *ksar* — a traditional fortified settlement. The name "Nouakchott" comes from the Berber language and translates poetically as "the place where the wind blows", which accurately describes its location at the meeting point of the Sahara Desert and the Atlantic Ocean.

The turning point in Nouakchott's fate was 1957, when the decision was made to build the future capital of Mauritania here; previously, the country was administered from Saint-Louis in modern-day Senegal. This choice was dictated both by political will — to create a capital on its own soil ahead of independence, proclaimed in 1960 — and by strategic position. Its location on the Atlantic coast opened access to maritime trade routes and served as a symbolic centre uniting the nomadic north and the settled south of the country. After being declared the capital, the city began to grow at an incredible pace, transforming from a small settlement into Mauritania's largest metropolis in just a few decades.

At the dawn of its capital status, Nouakchott represented a contrast between the old and the new. On one side remained the old ksar with its earthen houses and narrow streets, while on the other, a modern city with straight avenues and administrative buildings was being erected. The economy, initially based on fishing, quickly diversified. Food and wood processing industries appeared, and the construction of a deep-water port finally secured Nouakchott's status as Mauritania's main economic hub.

1929 — A small fort is erected by the French colonial administration on the site of the future city.

1957 — A strategic decision is made to build the capital of independent Mauritania on the site of a small fishing village.

1958 — The systematic construction of the city begins, becoming the administrative centre of Mauritania.

November 28, 1960 — Following the proclamation of Mauritania's independence from France, Nouakchott officially receives the status of the new state's capital.

1966 — The deep-water port begins operations, laying the foundation for the city's economic development.

Early 1970s — Catastrophic droughts in the Sahel zone cause mass migration of the nomadic population to the capital, leading to its rapid and uncontrolled growth.

1972 — The National Museum of Mauritania is founded, dedicated to preserving the country's rich cultural and historical heritage.

1981 — The University of Nouakchott opens, becoming the country's first and main higher education institution.

1986 — With financial and technical support from China, the construction of the new multifunctional "Port of Friendship" (Port de l'Amitié) is completed.

Around 2000 — The population of Nouakchott exceeds 500,000 people, signaling its transformation into a major Sahelian metropolis.

2016 — The new Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport, built outside the expanded city, is put into operation.

Key Milestones in Nouakchott's Development

The rapid history of Nouakchott is an example of how a small settlement turned into a multi-million metropolis in just a few decades. The main stages of its transformation reflect both purposeful planning and spontaneous social processes.

• Foundation of the Capital (1957-1960): A key moment that defined the city's fate. The decision to build a capital "from scratch" on the site of a fishing village was a political move to unite the country on the eve of independence. This marked the beginning of the planned development of the administrative and residential centre, initially designed for 15,000 inhabitants.

• Demographic Explosion (1970s): Severe droughts in the Sahel region caused mass migration of the nomadic population to the capital in search of water and livelihood. This led to uncontrolled city growth, the formation of extensive informal settlements, and population numbers far exceeding the planned figures.

• Economic Growth and Port Construction (1966, 1986): The appearance of the deep-water port, and later its expansion with China's assistance ("Port of Friendship"), turned Nouakchott into Mauritania's main trading and economic hub. The port became the gateway for iron ore and fish exports, providing the city with a stable economic foundation.

• Establishment as an Educational Hub (1981): The opening of the University of Nouakchott marked the city's transformation not only into an administrative centre but also into the country's main scientific and educational hub. This attracted youth and the intellectual elite to the capital.

• Development of Cultural Infrastructure (1972): The founding of the National Museum of Mauritania was an important step in preserving the country's cultural and historical heritage. The city began to fulfill the function of a guardian of national identity.

• Infrastructure Modernization (2016): The construction of the new Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport outside the city became a symbol of the modern era of development. This project aimed to decongest the capital and improve its transport links with the world.

The architectural appearance of Nouakchott is unique and fully reflects its rapid history — from a fishing village to a capital in half a century. There are no classical European styles like Gothic or Baroque here, as the city was founded only in the mid-20th century. Its development can be divided into several key stages.

Functional Modernism (Late 1950s – 1960s)

The initial development plan for Nouakchott, developed after the decision to relocate the capital in 1957, was executed in the spirit of French colonial modernism. This style prioritized functionality and speed of construction. The central districts of the city received a clear grid of straight streets, along which administrative buildings were built, designed for a small population of 15,000–20,000 people. The architecture of this period is characterized by simple forms, a lack of excessive decoration, and a pragmatic approach to planning.

Spontaneous and Vernacular Architecture (From the 1970s)

Due to the catastrophic droughts of the 1970s, flows of nomadic people poured into the capital, leading to a demographic explosion. The city began to expand chaotically through informal settlements. This stage formed the second, equally important, architectural face of Nouakchott:

• Kébbé: Temporary dwellings and tents, unauthorizedly set up on private lands.
• Gazra: More substantial structures on state land, which residents tried to make as durable as possible in hopes of legalization.

These districts, built from improvised materials — adobe blocks, tin sheets, and fabrics — represent an example of vernacular, that is, folk and spontaneous, architecture, which today occupies vast areas of the city.

Modern and Islamic Architecture (Late 20th – 21st Centuries)

As the economy stabilized and the capital's status grew, iconic modern buildings began to appear in Nouakchott. The architecture of this period combines international style with elements of Islamic tradition. Vivid examples include:

• Saudi Mosque (Mosquée Saudique): Built with funds from Saudi Arabia, this large mosque with tall minarets is one of the main architectural landmarks in the city centre.
• Presidential Palace: Built in the 1980s, this building with a large white dome and arched galleries, surrounded by gardens, represents an example of modern representative architecture with Oriental motifs.
• National Museum of Mauritania: Although the building itself is quite modest, it is an important cultural object that laid the foundation for preserving the country's heritage.

Today's Nouakchott is a city of contrasts, where modern administrative and business buildings coexist with the traditional Ksar district and extensive informal neighborhoods, making its urban landscape truly unique.

Notable Figures Associated with Nouakchott

Despite its short history, Nouakchott has become the centre of Mauritania's political, cultural, and public life. The city is associated with the names of people who defined the country's development path and gained fame far beyond its borders.

• Moktar Ould Daddah (1924–2003) — A key figure in the history of the country and its capital. As the first president of Mauritania, he oversaw the transfer of the capital to Nouakchott and its construction. His rule laid the foundations of the modern Mauritanian state, and his name is immortalized in the name of the International Conference Centre in Nouakchott.

• Malouma Mint El Meidah (born 1960) — A singer, songwriter, and politician, known as the "singer of the people". She was born into a family of traditional musicians (griots) and became an innovator by blending Mauritanian music with blues and jazz. In her songs, she raised acute social issues, which led to censorship but later brought her widespread popularity and international recognition. Malouma also engaged in politics, becoming a senator and fighting for democracy and women's rights.

• Abderrahmane Sissako (born 1961) — A world-renowned film director whose works are dedicated to themes of exile, globalization, and life in Africa. His film "Timbuktu" (2014) received numerous awards, including the César Award for Best Director, making him the first African director to receive this honour. Sissako also served as a cultural advisor to the President of Mauritania, highlighting his significance to the country's cultural life.

• Mohamedou Ould Slahi (born 1970) — An engineer and writer who gained global fame after the publication of his book "Guantánamo Diary". His family moved to Nouakchott during his childhood. His memoirs, written during his imprisonment, were translated into many languages and formed the basis of the film "The Mauritanian" (2021). After his release in 2016, he became a symbol of the struggle for human rights.

• Moussa Ould Ebnou (born 1956) — One of Mauritania's most famous writers, writing in Arabic and French. His novels, such as "Love in Nouakchott" and "City of Winds", explore life and social changes in the capital. He is considered an important figure in modern Mauritanian literature.