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List of World Heritage Sites in Mauritania

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Location of World Heritage Sites in Mauritania. The red dots represent the cultural sites of Ancient Ksour, the green dot is a natural site.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates World Heritage Sites of outstanding universal value to cultural or natural heritage which have been nominated by countries which are signatories to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972.[1] Cultural heritage consists of monuments (such as architectural works, monumental sculptures, or inscriptions), groups of buildings, and sites (including archaeological sites). Natural heritage consists of natural features (physical and biological formations), geological and physiographical formations (including habitats of threatened species of animals and plants), and natural sites which are important from the point of view of science, conservation, or natural beauty.[2] Mauritania ratified the convention on March 2, 1981, making its historical sites eligible for inclusion on the list.[3]

As of 2025, Mauritania has two World Heritage Sites.[3] The Banc d'Arguin National Park was the first Mauritanian World Heritage Site inscribed in 1989. It is the only natural site in Mauritania.[4] The Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata, the most recent and only cultural site, was inscribed in 1996.[5]

World Heritage Sites

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UNESCO lists sites under ten criteria; each entry must meet at least one of the criteria. Criteria i through vi are cultural, and vii through x are natural.[6]

  † In danger
World Heritage Sites
Site Image Location (region) Year listed UNESCO data Description
Banc d'Arguin National Park Dakhlet Nouadhibou Region, Inchiri Region 1989 506; ix, x (natural) 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.[4]
Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata Adrar Region, Hodh Ech Chargui, Tagant Region 1996 750; iii, iv, v (cultural) 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.[5]

Tentative List

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In addition to sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, member states can maintain a list of tentative sites that they may consider for nomination. Nominations for the World Heritage List are only accepted if the site was previously listed on the tentative list.[7] As of 2023, Mauritania has listed three properties on its tentative list.[3]

Tentative sites
Site Image Location (region) Year listed UNESCO criteria Description
Azougui Cultural Landscape Adrar Region 2001 iii, iv, v, vi (cultural) [8]
Kumbi Saleh Archaeological Site Hodh Ech Chargui Region 2001 iii, iv, v, vi (cultural) [9]
Tegdaoust Archaeological Site Hodh El Gharbi Region 2001 iii, v (cultural) [10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The World Heritage Convention". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
  2. ^ "Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 1 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Mauritania". UNESCO. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Banc d'Arguin National Park". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 20 November 2023. Text was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 IGO (CC BY 3.0 IGO) license.
  5. ^ a b "Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 20 November 2023. Text was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 IGO (CC BY 3.0 IGO) license.
  6. ^ "The Criteria for Selection". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 12 June 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  7. ^ "Tentative Lists". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  8. ^ "Azougui Cultural Landscape". UNESCO World Heritage Centre (in French). Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  9. ^ "Kumbi Saleh Archaeological Site". UNESCO World Heritage Centre (in French). Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  10. ^ "Tegdaoust Archaeological Site". UNESCO World Heritage Centre (in French). Retrieved 20 November 2023.
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