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Nouakchott, Mauritania

Capital city · Population 1.2M

Nouakchott is the capital and the largest city in Mauritania with a population of approximately 1,184,530 people as of 2026. This makes it the 444th largest city in the world, accounting for 22.91% of Mauritania's total population of 5.2M. Nouakchott is classified as a major city and operates in the Africa/Nouakchott timezone. The average annual temperature is 26.3°C with 63 mm of rainfall per year. The city sits at an elevation of 5 meters above sea level.

Population

1,184,530

Global Rank

#444

Country Rank

#1

% of Mauritania

22.91%

Avg Temperature

26.3°C

Annual Rainfall

63 mm

Elevation

5 m

Timezone

Africa/Nouakchott

Nouakchott on the Map

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Climate in Nouakchott

Nouakchott's warmest month is Oct and the coldest is Jan. The wettest month is Aug with 35 mm of rainfall.

Average Monthly Temperature

23.7°C
Jan
25.6°C
Feb
24.1°C
Mar
26.1°C
Apr
25.9°C
May
26.8°C
Jun
26°C
Jul
27.6°C
Aug
27.8°C
Sep
30.1°C
Oct
27.4°C
Nov
24°C
Dec
23.7°C30.1°C

Monthly Rainfall

0 mm
Jan
0 mm
Feb
0 mm
Mar
0 mm
Apr
0 mm
May
0 mm
Jun
7 mm
Jul
35 mm
Aug
12 mm
Sep
3 mm
Oct
0 mm
Nov
6 mm
Dec

Mauritania at a Glance

Country Population

5,169,395

Capital

Nouakchott

Region

Western Africa

Major Cities

2

GDP per Capita

$2,110

Life Expectancy

68.5 years

Urban Population

60.6%

Growth Rate

0.03%

Other Major Cities in Mauritania

Nouadhibou
146K

Nearest Major Cities

Closest cities to Nouakchott with over 100,000 people

Cities closest to Nouakchott by distance
CityPopulationDistance
Saint-Louis254,171236 km
Louga113,365276 km
Nouadhibou146,048336 km
Touba1,120,824359 km
Tivaouane102,658360 km
Mbaké101,451367 km
Thiès317,763380 km
Thiès Nones252,320382 km

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Nouakchott?

The population of Nouakchott, Mauritania is approximately 1,184,530 people, making it the 444th largest city in the world and the 1st largest in Mauritania.

Is Nouakchott the capital of Mauritania?

Yes, Nouakchott is the capital of Mauritania.

What is the climate like in Nouakchott?

Nouakchott has an average annual temperature of 26.3°C and receives 63 mm of rainfall per year. The warmest month is Oct and the coldest is Jan.

What timezone is Nouakchott in?

Nouakchott is in the Africa/Nouakchott timezone.