Location: Atar, Mauritania

Region: Adrar

Population: 38,877 inhabitants

Area: 471,200 km²

Beyond the endless desert landscape, the desire to experience something truly unique and forge authentic connections are among the reasons visitors choose Atar as their destination for a stay in Mauritania.

History

The city of Atar was founded by the Smacides in the 7th century. Its name means "road" in Azer and "new city" in Berber. The architecture of the city resembles that of Chinguetti, except for the mosque which lacks a minaret. However, under colonial rule, the city underwent profound transformations. It became an important military base. Beyond the camps, numerous administrative buildings were constructed. The paths leading to the city were improved. An airfield was built, allowing the first motorized convoy to arrive on May 2, 1925, and the first small aircraft in 1926.

Economically, all exchanges between the north and south of the sub-Saharan region were centralized in Atar. Long caravans were replaced by motorized convoys. Agriculture and livestock benefited from new techniques. Another positive legacy of colonization came in education. The first school in Atar opened its doors in 1936.

However, after independence, and especially after the founding of Nouakchott, Atar gradually lost its economic and political weight. Furthermore, following devastating droughts that struck the city, it lost much of its population. On the brink of collapse and nearly a ghost town, Atar nevertheless managed to recover and regain its dynamism and former standing.

Today

From 1996 to 2008, Atar experienced unprecedented growth in tourism thanks to its airport. Unfortunately, this expansion was abruptly halted in 2008 when Mauritania was classified as a high-risk destination for tourists. Even the Dakar Rally was cancelled, despite Atar being one of its essential stages. Indeed, the Adrar region was classified as a red zone—strictly forbidden to foreigners, especially French nationals.

However, in recent years, with the implementation of security measures established throughout the country, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs removed the Adrar region from the red zone. Today it is classified as orange, meaning it is now possible to stay there on condition that you do not travel alone and take precautions, especially regarding security. Moreover, the city of Atar boasts remarkable tourist sites waiting to be explored. Among must-see sites, the City Mosque, built in 1674, is essential. The secondary school, the city market, and the Terjit oasis are also among the places to discover without fail during your visit to Atar. These magnificent locations can be visited on foot, by 4×4, or on camelback.

Climate and Geography

Located in the central west of Mauritania, in the Sahara Desert, the city of Atar is both the capital of the Adrar region and the administrative center of the moughataa of Atar. The city enjoys a hot desert climate typical of the Saharan zone. Between May and September, temperatures exceed 40°C, with almost no rainfall. The average annual temperature hovers around 30°C while average annual precipitation barely reaches 33 mm spread over roughly 8 days per year.

To reach Atar from Paris, allow approximately 7.5 hours of flight time with a stopover in Casablanca, Morocco. From there, Nouakchott is about 5 hours by car to Atar.

What to See and Do?

• Shop at the city market,
• Stroll through the city streets,
• Make exceptional connections,
• Departure point for Saharan journeys through the Adrâr and the Tagant.