Zouérat الزويرات | |
|---|---|
Commune and town | |
 Zouérat city center | |
  Zouérat Location in Mauritania | |
| Coordinates:22°44′N12°28′W / 22.733°N 12.467°W /22.733; -12.467 | |
| Country |  Mauritania |
| Region | Tiris Zemmour |
| Area | |
• Total | 804.3 km2 (310.5 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 380 m (1,250 ft) |
| Population (2023 census) | |
• Total | 62,380 |
| • Density | 77.56/km2 (200.9/sq mi) |
Zouérat (Arabic:الزويرات) is the largest town in northernMauritania and the capital of theTiris Zemmourregion, with an approximate population of 62,380 (2023).[1] It lies at the eastern end of theMauritania Railway toNouadhibou.
The town developed from its importance toiron ore mining. It is surrounded by thehematite mines ofFderîck,Tazadit and Rouessa. The town houses the regional administration and military for Tiris Zemmour. Most of the town's population are employed directly and indirectly in the mining industry. A sizeable number of foreign workers from other African countries live in the town. Amenities include a medical clinic, social club, pool, school and shop.
Since 2006, ashanty town has grown around the town. In response authorities have begun construction of a wall, nicknamed locally as the "mur de la honte" (wall of shame), to separate the two areas.
Mining at the mountain was first recorded from theKediet ej Jill in the 11th century, but it was not until 1952 that iron ore deposits were first commercially extracted on an industrial scale. Beginning in 1958, the first concessions on iron ore extraction were given to Miferma, Société des mines de fer de Mauritanie. At the time it was majority-controlled by European-based mining interests, however, in 1974 Miferma was nationalized by theMauritanian government.
In 1981 a new iron ore deposit was discovered at Guelb el Rhein, 35 km (22 mi) north of Zouérat. Almost a decade later, another was found in 1990 at Guelb Mhadaouat about 65 km (40 mi) from Zouérat.[2] Other companies exploring for iron ore in the region includeXstrata andArcelor Mittal. The reserves at theSNIM's Tazadit mine are estimated to be 200 milliontonnes ofhematite.
Zouérat is connected to the port ofNouadhibou by theMauritania Railway. Freight trains that transport the iron ore to the coast can be as long as 2.5 km (1.6 mi) in length.[3] The line is also used to bring in all the town's drinking water fromBoulenoir.
Tazadit Airport is served by regular flights from/toNouadhibou and seasonally from/toCasablanca usingMauritania Airlines International Boeing 737-500 and Boeing 737-700 planes.
Outside the mines, traffic drives on the right side of the road like the rest of Mauritania. However, all vehicles within the mining areas drive on the left. Traffic switches sides at the mine entrances.
Zouérat has ahot desert climate (Köppen climate classificationBWh). The climate is hot and dry throughout the year due to the town's location within the extremes of theSahara.
| Climate data for Zouerat | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 34 (93) | 34 (93) | 37 (99) | 40 (104) | 43 (109) | 46 (115) | 47 (117) | 46 (115) | 44 (111) | 41 (106) | 38 (100) | 36 (97) | 47 (117) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 22 (72) | 25 (77) | 26 (79) | 31 (88) | 33 (91) | 36 (97) | 40 (104) | 40 (104) | 37 (99) | 32 (90) | 27 (81) | 23 (73) | 31 (88) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 12 (54) | 15 (59) | 16 (61) | 18 (64) | 20 (68) | 23 (73) | 26 (79) | 27 (81) | 26 (79) | 22 (72) | 18 (64) | 14 (57) | 20 (68) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 6 (43) | 8 (46) | 10 (50) | 10 (50) | 12 (54) | 15 (59) | 16 (61) | 18 (64) | 17 (63) | 12 (54) | 10 (50) | 6 (43) | 6 (43) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 4 (0.2) | 2 (0.1) | 2 (0.1) | 1 (0.0) | 1 (0.0) | 2 (0.1) | 3 (0.1) | 8 (0.3) | 21 (0.8) | 5 (0.2) | 4 (0.2) | 3 (0.1) | 56 (2.2) |
| Source: Weatherbase | |||||||||||||
