Zouérat

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Zouérat
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pushpin_map_caption =Location in Mauritania
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = Region
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subdivision_name1 = Tiris Zemmour
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population_total = 38,000
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latd=22|latm=41|lats=|latNS=N
longd=12|longm=28|longs=|longEW=W
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Zouérat ( _ar. 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. Iron ores were first discovered near Kedia d'Idjil 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, 35 km north of Zouerat and in 1990 another was found at Mhadaouat, which lies about 65 km from Zouerate. [ [http://lexicorient.com/e.o/zouerate.htm Zouerate ] ]

The reserves of Zouerate 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.

References