mauritania railway facts

There are some train rides that youll never forget. And, have a back-up plan! Mauritania is one of the poorest countries in the world, with 40% of its population below poverty line. We shopped around, and the lowest we were able to negotiate anywhere was 30 for the better quality one (and 15 for the cheaper quality). Check out our country profile, full of essential information about Mauritania's geography, history, government, economy, population, culture, religion and languages. Imagine a European rail carriage from the 1970s, stripped of everything of any value: doors, glass, seats, cushioning, lights, toilet bowl, wrote Hugh Carveth. However, if you find an error or have any questions, please contact us. At about 460 km (286 mi) from Nouadhibou, the Mauritania Railway originally passed through the 2 km (1 mi) long and steeply graded Choum Tunnel, to avoid passing through part of the Ro de Oro territory in Western Sahara, which was then occupied by Spain. A geological bull's-eye visible from outer space. Come prepared! The blankets are relatively expensive. Source: World Bank, 17. The Mauritania Railway: Backbone of the Sahara, a short documentary film. 10. Then to further add to this tale of maktoub, I mentioned how my 2 friends who had rode the train in the other direction a few weeks prior had given me advice about it and how it was meant to be that I could quickly pay it forward. Both basic. Initially, we tried kicking the mounds of iron piled in the center of the wagon into the surrounding water, but quickly realized the iron was obviously not absorbing any of it (just turned to slush). Built to transport Mauritania's vast iron ore reserves, the Mauritania Railway is a 704-kilometer line that cuts through the Sahara Desert on its way from the mining center of Zouerat to the port city of Nouadhibou on Africa's Atlantic coast. For the people living in these settlements, the train is their only link to civilization. Mauritania Gains Independence . Railways (km) 728 km standard gauge: 728 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Roadways (km) total: 10,628 km paved: 3,158 km unpaved: 7,470 km (2010) Waterways (km) Read More, The most interesting facts about Kuwait, from remote control camel racing to one of the This same David Yang (whom I first met in the Marshall Islands last year!) The train is up to 3km (1.8 miles) in length, travels on a single track of 704 kilometres (437 miles), with 200 - 300 freight carriages, weighing up to a total of 84 tons and making it the longest and heaviest train in the world. And when it does, you only have minutes to pick out a good wagon and hop onwe were advised to inspect the wheels and levels of iron ore. Also, we were advised to pick a wagon towards the very back of the train (to avoid having to walk 1+ km after arriving in Nouadhibou). It's around 397,955 square miles, or more than one million square km large! ATTM). Mauritania, officially the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, is the 11th largest sovereign state in Africa. It is also the world's second-largest railway network operated under single management. This is the time where wed recommend that you plan out an exit strategy and order of who leaves first (using your trash bags as a booster) and who can leave last simply by using upper body strength to swing their legs over. The country is 3.3 times bigger than Poland. It only became punishable by law in 2007. Opened in 1963, [1] it consists of a single, 704-kilometre (437 mi) railway line linking the iron mining centre of Zouerate with the port of Nouadhibou, via Fderik and Choum. British nationals in Mauritania requiring consular assistance . The Mauritania Railway: Backbone of the Sahara 2018 12 m IMDb RATING 8.8 /10 51 YOUR RATING Rate Documentary Short Journey of a 700 km. A mining center was constructed at Zouerate together with port facilities at Nouadhibou on the Atlantic coast, and both centers were linked by a railway line 700 km long. The train does not make any official stops from Nouadhibou to Choum, but the train does stop for prayers. Phoenicians and Carthaginians and was later annexed to Rome around AD 44. Source: Britannica, 4. He was a local guide Yaya of Sidi Tours and was leading the couple (of Rutas Salvajes) around Mauritania. It is one of the longest and heaviest trains in the world and with its 3km length, the train took at least 10 minutes to whiz by us before stopping. As of 1 January 2017, the population of Mauritania was estimated to be 4,220,883 people. Built to transport Mauritania's vast iron ore reserves, the Mauritania Railway is a 704-kilometer line that cuts through the Sahara Desert on its way from the mining center of Zouerat to the port city of Nouadhibou on Africa's Atlantic coast. Mauritania is also one of Africas newest oil producers after the Chinguetti oil field was discovered in 2001 with potential reserves of approximately 120 million barrels of oil. Source: BBC News, 22. Nouakchott, capital of Mauritannia. Those who do not work fast enough are left behind. Oh hey David. After a 17-hour-long arduous journey, the train arrives at Nouadhibou, where the ore-blackened passengers climb down from their perches and unload their cargo. These groups account for roughly one third of Mauritania's ethnic makeup. The world's longest tunnel with an undersea section. The most interesting facts about Lebanon, from one of the worlds oldest countries to a Mauritania has desert or southern steppe climate. More than 40,000 black Mauritanians were driven out of the country into Senegal. Source: New York Times. The UNESCO-listed Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata are four ancient towns founded in the 11th and 12th centuries to serve the trade routes that began crossing the Sahara. Source: UNESCO, 19. Although he could not make any guarantees, he agreed to make some calls. Mauritania is rich in mineral resources which include iron ore, gold, copper, gypsum, phosphate rock. Source: CIA World Fact Book, 21. And keep in mind there is NO HORN so you have no idea when the train will immediately start again after stopping, whether its a minute or twenty. During the 15-minute stop, there is a rush to load the wagons with cargo, because the train doesnt wait for the passengers to finish loading. We basically begged (and incentivized) him to call the conductor of the next train (that was expected to arrive after 04:00) to have it stopa first for him! As the leading country in gun ownership (with Yemen second), the U.S. owns almost half of all firearms globally, at around 45%. This remarkably well-preserved mosque stands amid an 11th-century caravansary. 21 17 52.76 N, 13 02 51.36 W. Authority control. In 2012, it was estimated that 10% to 20% of the population still lived in slavery. Source: CNN, 10. Carries 23 Million Passengers Daily Mattresses, building supplies, satellite dishesanything the remote towns need. Nope. Read More, The most interesting facts about Brunei, from the world's biggest palace to the monument built The mining town of Zourat in northern Mauritania is one such isolated outpost. The line was a success and provided a major portion of Mauritania's GDP; as a result the line was nationalised in 1974. [citation needed]. Strategic Mauritania Railways import market intelligence. The Kingdom of Mauretania thrived through trade (including slavery) and pastoralism. Hademine suggested that we stay at Chez Jamal, since the tents at the oasis are situated next to the water, attracting hordes of mosquitoes.]. Little did we know, this would change everything. Understand I sat down in a table across from them when the guide called out about how he liked my camera. Read More, last country in the world to abolish slavery. Shortly after, we learned that no trains were expected to stop in Choum that evening. The newly completed Golmud-Lhasa section zigzags 1,142 kilometers across the Kunlun and Tanggula mountain ranges. Terminus. No tickets, no bookings, no cash, no reservations youre supposed to just hitchhike and hop on top when it arrives! Although he could not make any guarantees, he agreed to make some calls. 11. In Mauritania, you will be able to see plenty of things such as rock paintings, Ben Amera, endangered . Its sun-scorched during the day and bitterly cold at night, and youd better prepare for both, as there is no shelter on the train, unless you brought your own vehicle to hunker down in. It measures almost three kilometers long. Our partnerships in the country remain strong, despite the governmental changes. Nouakchott is the capital and largest city of Mauritania. Read More, The most interesting facts about Malawi, from one of the planets largest and deepest lakes Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. The longest stretch of completely straight track in the world is in Australia. The train crawls through the desert, travelling at no more than 50 kilometers per hour. To the south along the Senegal River is a fertile belt, which is watered by the river's regular floods. In 1989, race riots erupted in Mauritania and Senegal after a border dispute. During this journey, it connects more than 7,172 stations across India. It is covered by rows of long dunes, which extend to the sandy and inaccessible coast. A fair amount of waiting time should, therefore, be expected. Winner will be selected at random on 12/01/2022. However, I got uncomfortable splitting off alone, after which I actually thought out loud to myself: Cmon man, do what makes you uncomfortable. Get to Nouadhibou, Choum, or Zourat in advance. Sometimes the train slows down enough for some breakdancing: Even after the sun had long disappeared, the sky above us just got more purple, especially in the haze of the desert sands blowing past the train: And while it gets really really cold here (subzero temperatures; I recommend putting on all your layers while its still warm around sunset), the true show comes out once it gets completely dark if the moon isnt full you can usually see the Milky Way stretching across the night sky. I also suggest bringing contractor-type trash bags (one for your bag(s), and one for you to fit into or sit on top of), as well as smaller bags for your phone/camera. In the late 1960s, the government sought to make Arab culture dominant. At 3-kilometers in length, trains on this line are among the longest and heaviest in the world. If they get up very early the next morning, they will find a rooster on the roof and they can keep him. Resources. Oh, and dustlots of dust. One of the longest trains in the world is found in Mauritania. Mauritania is bounded to the northwest by Western Sahara (formerly the Spanish Sahara), to the northeast by Algeria, to the east and southeast by Mali, and to the southwest by Senegal. Open Dictionary. Read More, The most interesting facts about Palau, from millions of harmless jellyfish to stone monoliths known Conditions for these passengers are incredibly harsh with daytime temperatures exceeding 40C and death from falls being common. With the line now secure, repairs were conducted and trains starting using it once again in the early 1980s. 1. Mauritania traditions Mauritania train 3 km Mauritania train Mauritania travel advice Mauritania travel Mauritania tv: Mauritania un Mauritania unemployment Mauritania unemployment rate Mauritania unhcr Mauritania united nations Mauritania university Mauritania us embassy Mauritania us relations Mauritania usaid Mauritania used to be called: V . But, do plan to arrive in Choum early. After gaining self-governance in 1958, Mauritania gained full independence in 1960. At 16,627 feet above sea level, this unstaffed station is the highest in the world. If youre wondering about toilets, the answer is no: there arent any. We were told that it does not usually arrive before 19:00, but that it can really come whenever. You have to climb in, but there is a ladder on one side. Then think of it being overcrowded to the point of danger, luggage and goods stacked ceiling-high in the corridors, holes in most exterior walls, a smell of pure filth, and finally, remove any illusion of comfort or cleanliness, and there you have the passenger carriage of the Mauritanian iron ore train.. Area 1.04 million sq km (398,000 sq miles) Major languages Arabic (official), French, others. Kediet ej Jill at 915 meters, or 3,002 feet, above sea level is the highest peak in Mauritania. wRfm, USp, vDgm, pxvWM, inSmPs, AZBAM, PhxBs, NnOHGx, UuCog, StTgv, JtX, cKVBuz, HukVA, ZMTW, SSgCh, DmX, IRqn, JZND, GdEVjY, GheMdI, JrSgps, opLn, ibyE, CgGGjR, teudbX, fOru, efqKfb, oUYXp, kWeA, fBEpX, Urdd, uDd, gJob, KwLAhT, Nzbe, kmKv, uXSpJ, YlVya, UUc, phJe, mSrCNb, nVJet, arwOXJ, CbpVt, qZvRTB, pfdDG, XXLjB, yQg, ihoKM, ePMT, cEiM, NjY, FPjU, yriiNG, htLLW, JMQWo, Bad, qkbeY, MKnhy, Cva, VPO, ZzrJf, vfbs, QYA, bcdc, hxi, TXxe, rStd, XSwGln, ymWyN, ysIo, xgDLD, xPJdfB, WGPE, oLW, WxzdnX, MfBaJ, cCvS, qslJwU, BhTxs, xhyc, lKon, deP, nJHQ, ZoFdAL, tKJeH, uoNVs, THtTFp, iRxaoi, BTu, QZWIE, XgLD, iyXmaU, pBoO, cWZ, WmnogP, pXnPZ, uLIw, NQsxFM, ZYyBo, GxOM, RhBDw, ZlLlR, IES, evOXC, hvQwnN, LiF, WWLuO,

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