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Ancient Ksour Of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt And Oualata
The ancient Ksar, ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata in Mauritania were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, World Heritage List in 1996. Ouadane and Chinguetti are located in the Adrar Region, Tichitt in the Tagant Region and Oualata in the Hodh Ech Chargui Region. These cities were founded around the 11th century as stopping places for the Camel train, caravans of the Trans-Saharan trade crossing the Sahara. Once prosperous centres of Saharan culture, these cities survive today with many difficulties, not only due to the radical transformation of the trade routes, but above all because of the advancing sands of the desert. References {{World H ...[...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mauritania
Mauritania (; ar, موريتانيا, ', french: Mauritanie; Berber: ''Agawej'' or ''Cengit''; Pulaar: ''Moritani''; Wolof: ''Gànnaar''; Soninke:), officially the Islamic Republic of Mauritania ( ar, الجمهورية الإسلامية الموريتانية), is a sovereign country in West Africa. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Western Sahara to the north and northwest, Algeria to the northeast, Mali to the east and southeast, and Senegal to the southwest. Mauritania is the 11th-largest country in Africa and the 28th-largest in the world, and 90% of its territory is situated in the Sahara. Most of its population of 4.4 million lives in the temperate south of the country, with roughly one-third concentrated in the capital and largest city, Nouakchott, located on the Atlantic coast. The country's name derives from the ancient Berber kingdom of Mauretania, located in North Africa within the ancient Maghreb. Berbers occupied what is now Mauritania ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ksar
Ksar or qsar (Maghrebi Arabic: wiktionary:قصر, قصر ''qṣer'' or ڭصر ''gser'', plural ''qṣur''; Berber language, Berber: ⵉⴴⵔⵎ ''aghrem'' or ''ighrem'', plural: ''igherman''), plural ksars, qsars, ksour or qsour, is the North African term for "fortified village," from Arabic ''qaṣar'' (), itself possibly loaned from Latin ''castrum''. The term generally refers to a Berber fortified village. Related terms The origin of the Maghrebi Arabic term ''qsar'' is Qasr (other), ''qaṣar'' () in Modern Standard Arabic, Standard Arabic, which means "castle" or "palace"; this term is also found elsewhere in the Muslim world. See, for example, the Al-Andalus, Iberian ''alcázar''. The Berber language, Berber (Amazigh) original word for "ksar" used in North Africa by the Berber-speaking populations is ''aghrem'' (singular) or ''igherman'' (plural). In the Maghreb, the term has a more general meaning of "fortified village," or "fort". The Berber word ''ighe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ouadane
, settlement_type = Commune and town , image_skyline = OuadaneOldTown1.jpg , imagesize = , image_caption = Old tower, Ouadane , image_flag = , image_seal = , image_map = , map_caption = , pushpin_map = Mauritania , pushpin_label_position = bottom , pushpin_mapsize = , pushpin_map_caption = Location in Mauritania , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_type1 = Region , subdivision_name = Mauritania , subdivision_name1 = Adrar Region , subdivision_type2 = , subdivision_name2 = , established_title = , established_date = , government_type = , leader_title = , leader_name ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chinguetti
Chinguetti () ( ar, شنقيط, translit=Šinqīṭ) is a ksar and a medieval trading center in northern Mauritania, located on the Adrar Plateau east of Atar. Founded in the 13th century as the center of several trans-Saharan trade routes, this small city continues to attract a handful of visitors who admire its spare architecture, scenery, and ancient libraries. The city is seriously threatened by the encroaching desert; high sand dunes mark the western boundary and several houses have been abandoned to the sand. The town is split in two by a wadi. On one side, there is the old sector, and on the other the new one. The indigenous Saharan architecture of older sectors of the city features houses constructed of reddish dry-stone and mud-brick techniques, with flat roofs timbered from palms. Many of the older houses feature hand-hewn doors cut from massive ancient acacia trees, which have long disappeared from the surrounding area. Many homes include courtyards or patios that crow ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tichitt
Tichit or Tichitt ( ber, Ticit, ar, تيشيت) is a partly abandoned village at the foot of the Tagant Plateau in central southern Mauritania that is known for its vernacular architecture. The main agriculture in Tichit is date farming, and the village is also home to a small museum. Tichitt Airport has two unpaved runways designated in a barren area southeast of the village. Archaeological significance This region includes a long sandstone cliff formation that defines the northern limit of the Hodh depression, near the former lake of Aoukar. The medieval trading settlement at Tichit is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Neolithic site of Dhar Tichitt in this area was settled by agropastoral communities around 2000 BC. Their settlements were generally situated on the cliffs and included stone building. These are the oldest surviving archaeological settlements in West Africa and the oldest of all stone base settlements south of the Sahara. They are thought to have bee ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Oualata
, settlement_type = Communes of Mauritania, Commune and town , image_skyline = Oualata 03.jpg , imagesize = 300px , image_caption = View of the town looking in a southeasterly direction , image_flag = , image_seal = , image_map = , map_caption = , pushpin_map = Mauritania , pushpin_label_position = bottom , pushpin_mapsize = 300 , pushpin_map_caption = Location in Mauritania , subdivision_type = Countries of the world, Country , subdivision_type1 = Regions of Mauritania, Region , subdivision_name = Mauritania , subdivision_name1 = Hodh Ech Chargui , subdivision_type2 = , subdivision_name2 = , established_title = , established_date = ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
World Heritage Site
A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, scientific or other form of significance. The sites are judged to contain " cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity". To be selected, a World Heritage Site must be a somehow unique landmark which is geographically and historically identifiable and has special cultural or physical significance. For example, World Heritage Sites might be ancient ruins or historical structures, buildings, cities, deserts, forests, islands, lakes, monuments, mountains, or wilderness areas. A World Heritage Site may signify a remarkable accomplishment of humanity, and serve as evidence of our intellectual history on the planet, or it might be a place of great natural beauty. A ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Adrar Region
Adrar ( ar, ولاية أدرار) is a large administrative region in Mauritania, named for the Adrar Plateau. The capital is Atar. Other major towns include Choum, Chinguetti and Ouadane. The region borders Western Sahara and the Mauritanian region of Tiris Zemmour to the north, Mali and the Mauritanian region of Hodh Ech Chargui to the east, the Mauritanian regions of Trarza and Tagant to the south and the Mauritanian region of Inchiri to the west. As of 2013, the population of the region was 62,658, compared to 77,812 in 2011. There were 49.19 per cent females and 50.81 per cent males. As of 2008, the literacy rate for people aged 15 years and over was 50.30%. The total net enrolment ratio at secondary level was 7.10%. As of 2008, the activity rate was 48.20% and economic dependency ratio was 0.84. Demographics As of 2013, the population of the region was 62,658, compared to 77,812 in 2011. There were 49.19% females and 50.81% males. As of 2008, the activity rate was 48.2 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tagant Region
Tagant ( ar, ولاية تكانت) is a Regions of Mauritania, region in south-central Mauritania named for the Tagant Plateau. Its capital is Tidjikdja. Other major cities/towns include Tichit and Rachid, Nbeika. The region borders the Mauritanian regions of Adrar Region, Adrar to the north, Hodh Ech Chargui to the east, Hodh El Gharbi and Assaba to the south and Brakna to the west. The Aoukar basin, which formerly gave name to the greater region, is located in the southern part of Tagant. As of 2013, the population of the region was 80,962, compared to 88,736 in 2011. There were 47.09 per cent females and 52.91 per cent males. As of 2008, the activity rate was 51.00 and economic dependency ratio was 0.81. As of 2008, the literacy rate for people aged 15 years and over was 58.10. Geography Mauritania is mostly covered with desert, with only its western regions around the coast of Atlantic Ocean having some vegetation. There are some oasis in the desert regions. Since it is a des ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hodh Ech Chargui Region
Hodh Ech Chargui ( ar, ولاية الحوض الشرقي, "Eastern Basin Region") is a large region in eastern Mauritania, with an area of 182,700 km2. Its capital is Néma, but the largest town, in Bassiknou Department, is Fassala (or Vassale) at the extreme southeast of Mauritania, with 65,927 inhabitants at the 2013 census. The region borders the Mauritanian regions of Adrar, Tagant and Hodh El Gharbi to the west and Mali to the east and south. The Aoukar basin, which formerly gave name to a greater region, is located in the western part of Hodh Ech Chargui. As of 2013, the population of the region was 430,668, compared to 363,071 in 2011. There were 47.71 percent females and 52.29 percent males. As of 2008, the activity rate was 61.50 and economic dependency ratio was 1.11. As of 2008, the literacy rate for people aged 15 years and over was 53.90. The local government is headed by an elected district representative, while the elections for the local government are con ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Camel Train
A camel train or caravan is a series of camels carrying passengers and goods on a regular or semi-regular service between points. Despite rarely travelling faster than human walking speed, for centuries camels' ability to withstand harsh conditions made them ideal for communication and trade in the desert areas of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Camel trains were also used sparingly elsewhere around the globe. Since the early 20th century they have been largely replaced by motorized vehicles or air traffic. Africa, Asia and the Middle East By far the greatest use of camel trains occurs between North and West Africa by the Tuareg, Shuwa and Hassaniyya, as well as by culturally-affiliated groups like the Toubou, Hausa and Songhay. These camel trains conduct trade in and around the Sahara Desert and Sahel. Trains travel as far south as central Nigeria and northern Cameroon in the west, and northern Kenya in the east of the continent. In antiquity, the Arabian Penin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Trans-Saharan Trade
Trans-Saharan trade requires travel across the Sahara between sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa. While existing from prehistoric times, the peak of trade extended from the 8th century until the early 17th century. The Sahara once had a very different environment. In Libya and Algeria, from at least 7000 BC, there was pastoralism, the herding of sheep, goats, large settlements, and pottery. Cattle were introduced to the Central Sahara ( Ahaggar) from 4000 to 3500 BC. Remarkable rock paintings (dated 3500 to 2500 BC) in places that are currently very dry, portray flora and fauna that are not present in the modern desert environment. As a desert, Sahara is now a hostile expanse that separates the Mediterranean economy from the economy of the Niger basin. As Fernand Braudel points out, crossing such a zone, especially without mechanized transport, is worthwhile only when exceptional circumstances cause the expected gain to outweigh the cost and the danger. Trade was conducted by ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
