African Cities Timeline

Discover the rich history and development of African cities from ancient settlements to modern metropolises

Chinguetti

Mauritania Adrar

Location
20.45, -12.37

Historic city, center of Islamic learning and trans-Saharan trade, UNESCO World Heritage site.

Economic Role

Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.

Ouadane

Mauritania Adrar

Location
20.93, -11.62

Historic city, center of trans-Saharan trade and Islamic culture, UNESCO World Heritage site.

Economic Role

Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.

Tichitt

Mauritania Tagant

Location
18.43, -9.52

Historic city, center of trans-Saharan trade and Islamic culture, UNESCO World Heritage site.

Economic Role

Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.

Walata

Mauritania Hodh Ech Chargui

Location
17.30, -7.27

Historic city, center of trans-Saharan trade and Islamic culture, UNESCO World Heritage site.

Economic Role

Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.

Akjoujt

Mauritania Inchiri

Location
19.75, -14.38

Mining town, known for copper production and local culture.

Economic Role

Mining industry, copper production, regional trade, local commerce.

Aleg

Mauritania Brakna

Location
17.05, -13.92

Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.

Atar

Mauritania Adrar

Location
20.52, -13.05

Desert capital, center of Adrar culture and administration.

Economic Role

Administrative center, regional trade, local commerce, cultural hub.

Ayoun el Atrous

Mauritania Hodh El Gharbi

Location
16.67, -9.62

Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.

Boghé

Mauritania Brakna

Location
16.58, -14.27

Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.

Boutilimit

Mauritania Trarza

Location
17.52, -14.67

Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.

Fderick

Mauritania Tiris Zemmour

Location
22.67, -12.72

Mining town, known for iron ore production and local culture.

Economic Role

Mining industry, iron ore production, regional trade, local commerce.

Kaédi

Mauritania Gorgol

Location
16.15, -13.50

Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.

Kiffa

Mauritania Assaba

Location
16.62, -11.40

Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.

Magta-Lahjar

Mauritania Brakna

Location
16.62, -13.92

Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.

Néma

Mauritania Hodh Ech Chargui

Location
16.62, -7.25

Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.

Rosso

Mauritania Trarza

Location
16.50, -15.82

Border city, center of cross-border trade and local culture.

Economic Role

Border trading post, regional trade, local commerce.

Selibaby

Mauritania Guidimaka

Location
15.15, -12.18

Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.

Tidjikja

Mauritania Tagant

Location
18.45, -11.42

Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.

Nouadhibou

Mauritania Dakhlet Nouadhibou

Location
20.93, -17.03

Port city, center of fishing industry and iron ore exports.

Economic Role

Port services, fishing industry, iron ore exports, regional commerce.

Nouakchott

Mauritania Nouakchott

Location
18.09, -15.98

Capital and largest city of Mauritania, center of government and modern culture.

Economic Role

Political and economic capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.

Arafat

Mauritania Nouakchott

Location
18.05, -15.95

Suburban city, known for local culture and commerce.

Economic Role

Commercial center, regional trade, local commerce, suburban hub.