Banc d'Arguin National Park, National park in Nouadhibou, Mauritania
Banc d'Arguin National Park spreads across roughly 12 000 square kilometers of Atlantic coastline and combines beaches, sand dunes, mudflats, and shallow waters positioned between Cape Blanc and Cape Timiris. The terrain shifts between dry land and water areas dotted with islands and sandbars.
The area became a site of interest for European powers starting in 1455 when the Portuguese built a fortification for trade purposes, followed by Dutch and French involvement in the region. European control ended when France withdrew in 1728, allowing local communities to continue their traditional practices.
About 500 Imraguen live in seven villages inside the park and fish from shore with shoulder nets, mainly for yellow mullet. They are known for fishing alongside dolphins, which drive mullet toward the nets. Motor boats are banned within the park, so the catch stays small-scale.
The park can only be reached by four-wheel-drive vehicle, typically from the highway connecting Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, and visitor facilities are sparse. The village of Iwik provides basic accommodation and serves as a practical base for exploring the area.
The rare false shark ray is known only from this region, and endangered Mediterranean monk seals and Atlantic humpback dolphins can be seen here year-round. The park also shelters one of the most pristine seagrass beds on earth.
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