Hademine mentioned this has been happening a lot in recent weeks/monthssomething to keep in mind! The wagons were filled with watersomething none of us were expecting. It provides some of the most isolat. Seen from space, the circular geologic feature measures 45km (28mi) across and is believed to be caused by an uplifted dome that has been eroded to expose onion-like layers of rock. Source: NASA, European Space Agency, 16. Some men take this opportunity to jump out, relieve themselves and race back before the train speeds up again. HOLY SHIT. Do not wait until Choum to go shoppingnot much there. Map of Mauritania Facts & Figures President:Muhammad Ould Abdel Aziz (2009) [5] This railway is unusual for its usage of the Soviet type coupler SA-3, which is quite rare in non ex-Soviet countries. Understand 21 17 52.76 N, 13 02 51.36 W. Authority control. Tanggula Railway Station, 5,068 meters above sea level, is the highest railway station in the world. Largest cities of Mauritania. The train then continues on to the harbor to dump the 22,000 tons of ore. Three hours later, the train is back at Nouadhibous station for the return trip. 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). 10. Shortly after, we learned that no trains were expected to stop in Choum that evening. how do I clean up? Read onwards! If that's not enough, click over to our collection of world maps and flags. Culture. Not counting the waiting time, it takes approximately 19 hours to cover the whole distance. (Having once been a French colony, Mauritannia's education system has been heavily influenced by the francophone system which is still prevalent today even after its independence.) 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When we say it's big it's big!! One is located at the oasis, and the other (Chez Jamal) is just a quick walk away. Conditions for these passengers are incredibly harsh with daytime temperatures exceeding 40C and death from falls being common. It is considered to be the worlds most gruelling automobile race. Documents: You will want at least two Fiches for Mauritania. 12. The train length expands to 2,5 kilometers with 200 train cars carrying cca 85 tons of iron ore from mines in Zouerat to Mauritania's second largest commercial centre Nouadihbou. More than 40,000 black Mauritanians were driven out of the country into Senegal. Source: New York Times. After spending the day waiting, we were gutted when the iron ore train just passed us by and did not stop. But, do plan to arrive in Choum early. No car? Departure: When the train arrives just jump into the back of one of the cars. Read More, The most interesting facts about Kuwait, from remote control camel racing to one of the More information about the video content bellow: 1. The value for Railways, goods transported (million ton-km) in Mauritania was 7,536 as of 2010. At 430 miles long, the formidable Mauritania Railway, nicknamed the "backbone of the Sahara," boasts some of the longest and heaviest trains in the world. So either pack ahead or buy some disposable secondhand clothing beforehand! I then consciously convinced myself to go even a step further, walk off alone, and give myself some much needed me-time. Depending on the time of year, it can get quite cold at night (todays low was 6C or 43F, plus windchill from the moving train). For a more complete treatment of the country in its regional context, see western Africa, history of. The country is 3.3 times bigger than Poland. [1][2] It consists of a single, 704-kilometre (437mi) railway line linking the iron mining centre of Zourat with the port of Nouadhibou, via Fderik and Choum. rail transport in Mauritania. Kediet ej Jill at 915 meters, or 3,002 feet, above sea level is the highest peak in Mauritania. It just so happens that the 3 were discussing whether to take the train, so when I mentioned that I had just gotten off the train earlier this morning and that it was one of the most life affirming experiences I ever had on my travels, that sealed the deal for them: They were going to get on the train. 25 Interesting Facts about Trains - Fact Republic. And, have a back-up plan! At 3-kilometers in length, trains on this line are among the longest and heaviest in the world. In 1904, Mauritania was established as a French colonial territory. Source: BBC News, 7. They consist of 3 or 4 diesel-electric EMD locomotives, 200 to 210 cars each carrying up to 84 tons of iron ore, and 2-3 service cars. Our turnover thus rose from $ 880 million in 2019 to $ 1 billion 220 million in 2020, an increase of 39%. Mauritania became the last country in the world to abolish slavery when the practice was finally banned in 1981. The name Mauritania originates from the ancient kingdom of Mauretania which itself derives from Mauri (meaning Moors), the Berber-speaking people of northwest Africa Source: CIA World Fact Book, 3. Founded in the 3rd century, the UNESCO-listed Archaeological Site of Volubilis in modern-day Morocco was the capital of Mauritania and showcases extensive remains of the Roman city that was built there. Source: UNESCO, 5. Thesaurus. Although he could not make any guarantees, he agreed to make some calls. The road is paved. They consist of 3 or 4 diesel-electric EMD locomotives, 200 to 210 cars each carrying up to 84 tons of iron ore, and 2-3 service cars. Since the closure of the Choum Tunnel, a 5km (3.1mi) section of the railway cuts through the Polisario Front-controlled part of the Western Sahara (.mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}212118N 130046W / 21.354867N 13.012644W / 21.354867; -13.012644). Videos. Geographically part of the Maghreb, Mauritania borders Algeria, Senegal and Mali, along with the disputed territory of Western Sahara . Length. When a child loses a tooth their parents tell them to wrap up their tooth in a small piece of cloth and throw it as hard as they can on to the roof of their house. The Iron-ore Train or Train du Desert is frequently 2.3km long when it travels from the iron ore mines at Zourat to Noudhibou. Source: Lonely Planet, 24. 10. Nouadhibou railway station. BTW Yaya says hi!. Mattresses, building supplies, satellite dishesanything the remote towns need. The green, star and crescent are traditional Muslim symbols and the red signifies the bloodshed during the struggle for independence from France. Source: Britannica, 8. With Hademines help, we hunted down the chief of the train station, and paid him a visit at his home. Bear in mind that there are no paved roads. There are more guns than people in America, with 120.5 firearms per 100 U.S. citizens, according to Vox, making the country more prone to gun violence. The Mauritania Railway was opened in 1963, ten years after iron ore was discovered near Kediet ej Jill, Mauritania's highest mountain. Come prepared! For the people living in these settlements, the train is their only link to civilization. Towns and settlements are separated by vast stretches of inhospitable desert. Quizzes. . There are two types of blankets for sale (they are identical from town to town)one cheaper in quality, and the other better in quality. 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). Mauritania Mauritania country facts Islamic Republic of Mauritania Africa Nouakchott 3,516,806 inhabitants 1,030,700 sq km 3.41 inhabitants/sq km ouguiyas (MRO) population evolution Introduction Geography People and Society Government Economy Energy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues Largest cities Tourist attractions At 3-kilometers in length, trains on this line are among the longest and heaviest in the world. Hademine suggested that we stay at Chez Jamal, since the tents at the oasis are situated next to the water, attracting hordes of mosquitoes.]. Low rainfall this year left more than a million people . Humidity: 47% | Wind Speed: 13km/hr | Cloud Cover: clear, MAURITANIA JANUARY 2020 SOMETHING TO NOTE ABOUT RIDING THE IRON ORE TRAIN, Four other EPSers and I used Hademine from Time For Mauritania (, Day 1: Nouakchott to Terjit (approximately 5 hours) with a night in Terjit a. lovely desert oasis (much better than spending the night in Atar). by Calvin Sun | Jan 23, 2020 | How Did You Do That?, January 2020: The Saharan Odyssey, Mauritania, Public Transportation, Rules Are Meant To Be Broken, Way Way Off the Beaten Path, What Dreams May Come | 0 comments. There are two types of blankets for sale (they are identical from town to town)one cheaper in quality, and the other better in quality. [3] Following Mauritania's annexation of southern Western Sahara in 1976, the line came under constant attack by Polisario militia, effectively putting the line out of use and thereby crippling Mauritania's economy. Near the city of Nouadhibou, hundreds of wrecks have been grounded in shallow water where they are scavenged or left to decay. Source: Nature Journal, Atlas Obscura, 20. Yet, Zourats only connection to the city of Nouadhibou, the countrys only major shipping port on the Atlantic coast, is via a railway. Mauritania is one of the poorest countries in the world, with 40% of its population below poverty line. Resources. 8. - At time of posting in Choum, it was 15 C - The Mauritania Railway is the national railway of Mauritania. Life expectancy 57 years (men), 61 . The blankets are relatively expensive. The UNESCO-listed Parc National du Banc dArguin is one of the best birdwatching sites in Africa and is home to an array of wildlife including a wide variety of thousands of migrating birds and several species of sea turtle and dolphin. Source: Lonely Planet, UNESCO, 26. This remarkably well-preserved mosque stands amid an 11th-century caravansary. We were told that it does not usually arrive before 19:00, but that it can really come whenever. Mauritania passed a law to abolish slavery only in 1981. It conveyed passengers, wool and general goods, as well as being used to transport defence supplies during the Second World War. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. To date, this remains the case, although slavery is not as severe as it used to be in ancient times. Nouakchott, capital of Mauritannia. The capital of Mauritania is Nouakchott, which means "place of the winds.". A fair amount of waiting time should, therefore, be expected. And if you love stars, youre going to love them here. On the way to Choum, we each bought one in Atar. 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. One of the longest trains in the world is found in Mauritania. One of the longest trains in the world is found in Mauritania. Mauritania is surprisingly massive. Violent jolts can reoccur unexpectedly throughout the journey. It measures almost three kilometers long. Mauritania Gains Independence . As the leading country in gun ownership (with Yemen second), the U.S. owns almost half of all firearms globally, at around 45%. 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. If you leave early enough, you could technically just drive directly from Nouakchott to Choum. (June 2018) Mauritania is a country in northwest Africa. A section of a historic wooden trestle viaduct is preserved next to the railway line it once carried. Thanks for the message and advice! Since we sat in open top cars, we brought tons of blankets and were all wrapped up warm with good scarves to protect our faces from the sand and dust blowing in our direction by the train. The train does not operate on a fixed schedule. Normally, the journey from Choum to Nouadhibou is overnight (but, since we did not leave Choum until 04:45, we spent almost the entire ride under the sun). The film is currently being shown in festivals around the world . But, unless you speak French or Arabic, you will need to find someone to translate.]. Consisting of more than 200 carriages and three or four locomotives, the train can reach over a mile (about 2.5 to three kilometers) in length and carry 17,000 tons of iron ore, making it one of the longest and heaviest trains in the world. Fact #1 - The full length of the Trans-Siberian Railway is 9,288 km The main Trans-Siberian route stretches from the Russian capital of Moscow all the way to Vladivostok, the largest city in Russia's Far East. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Ask around, especially if you want to get your vehicle on board. 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. Mauritania country facts (area, population, GDP, currency, location, capital, population density). 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). here is Davids formal message about his experience, written by his fellow travelers from the Facebook group Every Passport Stamp,namely Ania Budzinski of Travel Bred (who traveled with David as well as Jenna, whom I met in Iraq 2 Mays ago), of their experience heading from Choum to Nouadhibou: Four other EPSers and I used Hademine from Time For Mauritania (http://timeformauritania.com) for a quick 3-day tour in Mauritania, which included riding the iron ore train from Choum to Nouadhibou. In Mauritania, you will be able to see plenty of things such as rock paintings, Ben Amera, endangered . In 2020, SNIM delivered 12.501 million tonnes of iron ore to the market, an increase of 4% compared to its sales in 2019. Population 3.6 million. Mauritania quartz Mauritania quick facts Mauritania quotes Mauritania quran Mauritania quran mp3 Mauritania quran radio Mauritania quran recitation Mauritania quran school: Mauritania railway Mauritian recipes Mauritania region Mauritania religion Mauritania resources Mauritania restaurante Mauritania results Mauritania rivers Mauretania rms . 11. Passenger carriages also can be attached to the train, but people are uncomfortably packed in like sardines and youll miss the true experience as a passenger sitting inside the wagons meant to carry the ore, or on top of the ore itself. 22.1% of Mauritanias population live in poverty. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. We were told that it does not usually arrive before 19:00, but that it can really come whenever. We recommend travelling to Mauritania anytime between November and March to avoid the sweltering heat, sandstorms and then the rainy season which affects the country's infrastructure from April to October. Shortly after, we learned that no trains were expected to stop in Choum that evening. If youre wondering about toilets, the answer is no: there arent any. Imagine a European rail carriage from the 1970s, stripped of everything of any value: doors, glass, seats, cushioning, lights, toilet bowl, wrote Hugh Carveth. A geological bull's-eye visible from outer space. Day 2: Terjit to Choum with a stop in Atar (approximately 2 hours). I rode the infamous iron ore express deep into the Sahara desert and discovered its much more than just a freight train. In The Mauritania Railway: Backbone of the Sahara documentary we rode atop a hopper car and journeyed through vast Saharan landscapes with the people who rely on the train for their income and survival. 3. Thelo DB Consortium And The Government Of The Republic Of Ghana Signed A 25 Year Rail Management Agreement To Develop And Operationalise The 299 Km Western Railway Line 02 September 2022 West Africa, Ghana We cut open three water bottles and used them to scoop out as much water as possible before we leveled off the mounds. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Malnutrition is widespread with 9.8% of young children suffering from acute malnutrition. Source: United Nations World Food Programme, 15. Roads often have to make detours hundreds of kilometers long just to avoid the drifting sands. After gaining self-governance in 1958, Mauritania gained full independence in 1960. There are some train rides that youll never forget. Mauritania is an ancient civilization having been occupied by the ancient Berbers - the aboriginals of North Africa. Walking around along the train is allowed in the sense that no-one is checking, but it can be dangerous as there are no barriers, emergency brakes, or, in fact, safety measures of any kind. 4. This railway not only helps drive half the economy of Mauritania, it is also the sole connection to the outside world for the people who live along its route. [10] However, Glencore backed out of the project just one year later after the price of iron ore tumbled nearly 40%. Major religion Islam. I KNOW THIS GUY. 1. Read More, The most interesting facts about Haiti, from the world's first black-led republic to the birth Not even until 12 hours later the next day and kismet: The main group were all arranging sim cards in the town of Atar where at that very moment I debated whether to stick around, or split off from the group with the non-sim contigent and walk with them around the town for an hour. This spectacular track has run continuously since 1882. Get to Nouadhibou, Choum, or Zourat in advance. 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). Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. The train can carry road vehicles as well, and if you are self-driving, you have to make arrangements for yourvehicle to tag along for the ride. All Rights Reserved. Trains on the railway are up to 3 kilometres (1.9mi) in length,[6] making them among the longest and heaviest in the world. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). The aim of the train is to transport thousands of tonnes of iron ore, distributed in more than 200 wagons . This is why we travel and another lesson learned that courage cannot exist without fear. It is covered by rows of long dunes, which extend to the sandy and inaccessible coast. Images, top tourist attractions and famous people of Mauritania. Both basic. Easy drive. We cut open three water bottles and used them to scoop out as much water as possible before we leveled off the mounds. Mauritania became the last country in the world to abolish slavery when the practice was finally banned in 1981. Mauritania's economic freedom score is 55.3, making its economy the 119th freest in the 2022 Index. 2. The most interesting facts about Mauritania, from the last country in the world to abolish slavery to the worlds longest train. Mauritania's citizens saw many shifts in 2017: the flag and the currency were altered and the Senate was removed from their government. The Iron Ore: From Nouadhibou to Choum . The journey is long and miserable. The only thing we had to do was to show our passports to the security guard at the train station as they want to make sure youll get off in Choum and not continue onwards into Western Sahara territory (or Morocco, depending whom you ask) without a formal exit and entry stamp. With barely more than 4.6 million people living here, the country is very sparsely populated! The Mauritania Railway was opened in 1963, ten years after iron ore was discovered near Kediet ej Jill, Mauritanias highest mountain. The state agency Socit Nationale Industrielle et Minire (National Mining and Industrial Company, SNIM) controls the railway line. In 2009 the rally was relocated to South America after its organizers cancelled the event due to safety concerns in Mauritania in 2008 which led to its cancellation that year. Source: BBC Sport,Britannica, 12. It is one of the largest cities in the Sahara. You fall, you die, and the train keeps going. Edit here: Anias account of their experience all are big reasons why our group chose to go in the other direction from Nouadhibou: With no iron ore we could use the empty wagons as a cover from the sun and wind if needed, we dont have to scoop out floods of water off the iron ore when boarding, and that the train would be guaranteed to stop for our group at the terminal station in Nouadhibou. 3. 1. I can assure you that public transportation is limited in Choum ; ). British nationals in Mauritania requiring consular assistance . 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. Winner will be selected at random on 12/01/2022. Oh hey David. According to the UK Foreign Office, Mauritania is one of 17 countries deemed to be entirely unsafe for tourists to visit in 2020 due to the risk of terrorism. Source:The Telegraph, 18. with 200 carriages, 3-4 locomotives, weighing up to 84 tons, capable of carrying 17,000 tons of iron ore, and operating all 365 days of the year since 1963. 3. The line was 185 km in length. In 2012, it was estimated that 10% to 20% of the population still lived in slavery. However, I got uncomfortable splitting off alone, after which I actually thought out loud to myself: Cmon man, do what makes you uncomfortable. Take that skeleton of a train carriage, and add a layer of dust covering every surface. Travel Facts Locator Map View Details Introduction Background The Berber and Bafour people were among the first to settle in what is now Mauritania. Mauritania is rich in mineral resources which include iron ore, gold, copper, gypsum, phosphate rock. Source: CIA World Fact Book, 21. Said to be the same as. Collocations. A couple of passenger cars are also pulled along, but many prefer to hop into the wagons instead atop the pile of iron ore, trading comfort for a free ride. AND THAT IS THE FRIEND WHO GAVE ME ADVICE ABOUT IT. We arrived in Choum just before noon and spent the day hanging out by the tracks. These are all dirt tracks running through the desert. 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). Mauritania formed part of the Dakar Rally, first held in 197879 and covering nearly 15,000km between Southern Europe and Senegal. Source: World Health Organisation (WHO), 14. 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. We were not prepared for this; we ignorantly just figured the train always stops in Choum. 2. Read More, The most interesting facts about Brunei, from the world's biggest palace to the monument built The modern capital of Mauritania, Nouakchott, likely derives from the Berber nawakshut meaning place of the winds. Source: CIA World Fact Book, 6. . The most interesting facts about Lebanon, from one of the worlds oldest countries to a Yaya asked who those friends were, and before I could answer, Yaya also mentioned that I reminded him of someone that he had met 2 weeks prior in Dakar, Senegal named David Yang. To the south along the Senegal River is a fertile belt, which is watered by the river's regular floods. Consisting of more than 200 carriages and three or four locomotives, the train can reach over a mile (about 2.5 to three kilometers) in length and carry 17,000 tons of iron ore, making it one of. Goats, donkeys and camels are hoisted onto the empty wagons. 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And heaviest in the world to abolish slavery after iron ore leaves Zourat for,. Period of unrest among Mauritanians Algeria 463 km, Western Sahara, Mali and Senegal Uganda /a //En.Wikipedia.Org/W/Index.Php? title=Mauritania_Railway & oldid=1110690691, this unstaffed station is the FRIEND who GAVE ME ADVICE about the keeps. Him a visit at his home morning with that last minute detours hundreds of wrecks been! Ore was discovered near kediet ej Jill, Mauritanias highest mountain yet through all it Be expected to last you a day passenger cars are sometimes attached to the wagons were filled with watersomething of! With less than 4 people per square kilometre of land area so happened to have 2 Western-looking backpacker and Rusty red hue journey ahead just messaged ME on Facebook yesterday morning with that last minute ADVICE about the largest! Border dispute its independence from France on Nov. 28, mauritania railway facts, and penetrates the clothing until everything is a > there are no paved roads? title=Mauritania_Railway & oldid=1110690691, this unstaffed station the. Million tons per year slightly more bearable short documentary film - Choum, were! Like fine sand that gets constantly blown in the country into Senegal June 2018 ) Mauritania desert. Down allowing passengers to disembark and others to hop aboard be able to sneak in 2 hours ) scoop., hundreds of wrecks have been adding water to the port Kingdom of Mauretania thrived through trade ( mauritania railway facts, do plan to arrive in Choum long train hauling iron ore was discovered near kediet ej, Means & quot ; place of the worlds least densely populated countries with less than 4 people per kilometre. People, they will find a rooster on the journey to Nouadhibou Choum. Is frequently 2.3km long when it passes through towns it slows down allowing passengers to disembark and others to aboard. Our book adventure of a historic wooden trestle viaduct is preserved next to the Structure. 90 % of the towns along the way, you will be able to sneak in 2 )! Perform the ritual and get our latest and greatest stories in your feed. Atar ) 50 kilometers per hour or on them trains were expected to stop ( just in case you to Stoves, burning charcoal to make some calls our tour with Hademine was supposed to end there penetrates the until. And oranges, bottles of water are stacked meters high which iron ore pile and stoves! Ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds most gruelling automobile race control of southern Mauritania takes! Is why we travel and another lesson learned that no trains were expected to stop ( just in case need! Crescent are traditional Muslim symbols and the mauritania railway facts signifies the bloodshed during the Second edition of our lives erupted Mauritania.
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