| Zouérat | |
|---|---|
| — Commune and town — | |
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Zouérat
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Mauritania |
| Region | Tiris Zemmour |
| Elevation | 380 m (1,247 ft) |
| Population (2005) | |
| • Total | 38,000 |
Zouérat (Arabic: الزويرات) is the largest town in northern Mauritania and is the capital of Tiris Zemmour with an approximate population of 38,000 (2005). It lies at the eastern end of the Mauritania Railway to Nouadhibou.
The town is a centre for iron ore mining, including the mines of Fderîck, Tazadit and Rouessa. Iron ores were first discovered near Kediet ej Jill in 1952 and in 1958 concessions on iron extraction were given to Miferma, Société des mines de fer de Mauritanie, which is dominated by European based mining companies. In 1974 Miferma was nationalized by the Mauritanian government. The industry in the area has evolved over the decades; in 1981 a new iron ore was discovered at guelb el Rhein, 35 km north of Zouerat and in 1990 another was found at guelb M'Haoudat, which lies about 65 km from Zouerate.[1]
The reserves of Zouerate (Tazadit mine) is estimated at 200 million tons of hematite quartz. The freight trains which take the iron ore to the coast can be as much as 3 km long, reputedly the longest in the world. Its people are also are employed by regional administration and the military and the town has a notable population of foreign workers from other African countries. A clinic, a club, a pool, a school and a shop are included. An airfield allows the DC3, DC4 and Noratlas to land.
On the mines roads, you travel on the left side, elsewhere on the right. There is a crossing at the Zouerate's north door.
Water is brought by train from Boulenouar which is on the route from Nouadhibou. Water will be find later near Zouerate.
Zouerate is protected from the very little rain by a great grave.
The sewage, in the north, allows palms and vegetables to grow.
The cinema is open cast like the mines : walls, but no roof.
A shanty town grows around and a wall is made to separate the two cities. It is called "mur de la honte" (wall of shame) by the zouerati. The lack of houses for the mauritanians workers has gone to build new flats between Zouerate and the Kediet.
The climate is dry (no mosquito), and the most displeasing is the sand wind.