The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites are places of importance to cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972.[1] Mauritania ratified the convention on March 2, 1981, making its historical sites eligible for inclusion on the list. As of 2023, Mauritania has two world heritage sites[2]

Location of sites

List of World Heritage Sites in Mauritania is located in Mauritania
Banc d'Arguin National Park
Ouadane
Chinguetti
Tichit
Oualata
Location of World Heritage Sites in  Mauritania

List of Sites

Name Image Location Criteria Year Description
Banc d'Arguin National Park Dakhlet Nouadhibou Region, Inchiri Region

20°14′00″N 16°06′00″W / 20.233333°N 16.1°W / 20.233333; -16.1 (Banc d'Arguin National Park)

Natural (ix) (x) 1989 Fringing the Atlantic coast, the park comprises sand-dunes, coastal swamps, small islands and shallow coastal waters. The contrast between the harsh desert environment and the biodiversity of the marine zone has resulted in a land- and seascape of outstanding natural significance. A wide variety of migrating birds spend the winter there. Several species of sea turtle and dolphin, used by the fishermen to attract shoals of fish, can also be found.[3]
Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata Adrar Region, Hodh Ech Chargui, Tagant Region

17°18′00″N 7°01′30″W / 17.3°N 7.025°W / 17.3; -7.025 (Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata)

Cultural (iii) (iv) (v) 1996 Founded in the 11th and 12th centuries to serve the caravans crossing the Sahara, these trading and religious centres became focal points of Islamic culture. They have managed to preserve an urban fabric that evolved between the 12th and 16th centuries. Typically, houses with patios crowd along narrow streets around a mosque with a square minaret. They illustrate a traditional way of life centred on the nomadic culture of the people of the western Sahara.[4]

Tentative List

Site Image Location Criteria Area
ha (acre)
 Year of submission Description
Azougui Cultural Landscape Adrar Region20°24′19″N 13°06′40″W / 20.405278°N 13.111111°W / 20.405278; -13.111111 (Azougui Cultural Landscape) Cultural (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) 2001 [5]
Kumbi Saleh Archaeological Site Hodh Ech Chargui Region 15°45′56″N 7°58′07″W / 15.765556°N 7.968611°W / 15.765556; -7.968611 (Kumbi Saleh Archaeological Site) Cultural (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) 2001 [6]
Tegdaoust Archaeological Site Hodh El Gharbi Region 17°25′00″N 10°25′00″W / 17.416667°N 10.416667°W / 17.416667; -10.416667 (Tegdaoust Archaeological Site) Cultural (iii) (v) 2001 [7]

References

  1. ^ "The World Heritage Convention". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  2. ^ "Mauritania". UNESCO. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  3. ^ "Banc d'Arguin National Park". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2023-11-20. Text was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 IGO (CC BY 3.0 IGO) license.
  4. ^ "Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2023-11-20. Text was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 IGO (CC BY 3.0 IGO) license.
  5. ^ "Azougui Cultural Landscape". UNESCO World Heritage Centre (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  6. ^ "Kumbi Saleh Archaeological Site". UNESCO World Heritage Centre (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  7. ^ "Tegdaoust Archaeological Site". UNESCO World Heritage Centre (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-20.
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