Why visit
Nouakchott is Mauritania's sandy Atlantic capital, a practical gateway to desert libraries, the iron-ore train, and Banc d'Arguin. The fish market and ocean edge are the city's most memorable everyday scenes.
How to use this result
Use it as a capital-city prompt
Nouakchott is useful when you want a city-level starting point in Mauritania. Check whether the capital is the best arrival city, a practical transfer point, or mainly a geography and planning reference.
Check practical trip fit
Before planning around Nouakchott, compare airport access, local transport, time zone, neighborhood choices, weather, safety guidance, and whether another city in Mauritania better matches the trip style.
Nouakchott at a glance
City population
1.2 million
Elevation
10 m
33 ft
Time zone
UTC+0
Africa/Nouakchott
Airport
NKC
Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport
Mauritania at a glance
Country center
20.0°, -12.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
1,030,700 km²
397,955 mi²
Subregion
Western Africa
Currency
Mauritanian ouguiya (UM)
MRU
Dial
+222
Language
Arabic
Demonym
Mauritanian
Internet
.mr
UN
Member state
ISO code
MR / MRT
Where in the world
20.0° - -12.0°
Mauritania
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Nouakchott grew from a small coastal settlement into Mauritania's capital after independence planning began in the late 1950s.
- The city's fish market is one of its most distinctive everyday scenes.
- Nouakchott was a small fishing village of a few thousand people in 1958; today it holds roughly a third of all Mauritanians.
- Mauritania was the last country in the world to officially abolish slavery, in 1981, with criminal penalties added only in 2007.
- Chinguetti's 13th-century libraries still hold tens of thousands of medieval Islamic manuscripts in their original hand-copied form.
Bordering Mauritania
Traveler notes
- The beach fish market is the classic Nouakchott image
- The city is the starting point for Adrar desert routes
- Banc d'Arguin birding trips begin from the coast north of town
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Nouakchott
What currency is used in Nouakchott?
Nouakchott uses the Mauritanian ouguiya (UM), ISO code MRU.
What languages are spoken in Mauritania?
The primary language is Arabic.
What is the international calling code for Mauritania?
The calling code is +222.
When is the best time to visit Nouakchott?
Nov–Mar. Check current weather and local events before booking.
What airport serves Nouakchott?
Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport (IATA: NKC).
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