Néma

Néma النعمه
Commune and town
Néma Location in Mauritania
Coordinates: 16°37′N 7°15′W / 16.617°N 7.250°W / 16.617; -7.250
Country	Mauritania
Region	Hodh Ech Chargui Region
Elevation	280 m (920 ft)
Population (2005)
• Commune and town	21,979
• Metro	87,048

Néma is a town in southeastern Mauritania, close to the border with Mali. It is located at around 16°37′0″N 7°15′0″W / 16.61667°N 7.25000°W / 16.61667; -7.25000Coordinates: 16°37′0″N 7°15′0″W / 16.61667°N 7.25000°W / 16.61667; -7.25000 at the eastern end of the Aoukar. It is the capital of Hodh Ech Chargui Region and of the Néma Department.

While the urban population of Nema is approximately 50–60,000, the surrounding rural sites served by the city make it closer to 200,000. Mauritanians value brousse, or country living, as a throwback to their nomadic roots. "The Road of Hope," which stretches from the capital, Nouakchott, ends in Nema near the market quartier. There are ten quartiers, sections, of the city, the oldest being Edelibu Quartier, northeast of the road. Shovia Quartier, dating from the 1950s, is the only section south of the road.

Climate

Facilities

There is a hospital with less than ten doctors but the women's services section is well-staffed and efficient. It is overseen by the DRAS, or regional medical director.

As it is the capital of the Hodh-el-Shargi Region, Nema has a wali (regional governor), Maire (mayor for municipal affairs), and Hakim (deals with civil matters), in descending order of influence. There are eleven madrasas (primary schools), two colleges (middle schools), and a lycee (high school). These are overseen by the DREN, or regional education director. There is a Condition Feminine, or Women's Ministry, overseen by a woman appointed by the national government.

In addition, there are numerous NGOs (non-governmental organizations) present including Sante Sud, a French health organization. The Peace Corps (American) was present 2007-2008.

Demographics

The cultural demographic is predominantly Moor, but there are Pulaar and Bambara present.

Transport

Nema is close to the Malian border and there is constant traffic, either heading south to Mali via Adel Bagrou, East to Bassikounou and Léré (Mali) or north to the ancient town of Oualata (pronounced Walata).

Tourism from Europe picks up in November and December when the temperatures become bearable.

The city is served by Néma Airport. The former carrier Mauritania Airways had flights from Néma to Nouakchott, Abidjan and Las Palmas. These destinations were served from October 2009 until December 2012.

The most common form of transport into and out of Nema is via car, though donkey cart, camel, and foot is always available. There is one hotel, Hotel Deraha, on the west side of the city right off the road. Mauritanians are always hospitable, though, and it is entirely possible to find short-term lodging with complete strangers.

Nema is bounded on the north and east sides by small mountain plateaus and provides many opportunities for hiking.

Recent history

Al Qaeda in the Maghreb (AQIM) became active in the desert regions of Mauritania, including Hodh el Chargui, in the summer of 2008. The area is considered dangerous to Western foreigners.

Communes of Mauritania
Urban Industrial	Arafat Benichab Choum Dar-Naim El Mina Kiffa Ksar Nouadhibou Riyad Rosso Sebkha Tevragh-Zeina Teyarett Toujouonine Zouérat
Urban Agricultural	Adel Bagrou Aere Mbar Aghchorguitt Ain Ehel Taya Aioun Ajar Aleg Amourj Aoueinat Zbel Aoujeft Arr Atar Azgueilem Tiyab Bababé Bagrou Barkeol Bassiknou Bethet Meit Boghé Bokkol Bou Lahrath Bougadoum Bouheida Bouhdida Boulenoir Bouly Boumdeid Bousteila Boutilimitt Cheggar Chinguitti Dafor Daghveg Dar El Barka Dionaba Djeol Djiguenni El Ghabra El Ghaire Fassala Foum Gleita Ghabou Gouraye Gueller Guerou Hamod Hassichegar Jidr-El Mouhguen Kaédi Kamour Kankossa Keur-Macene Kobeni Koumbi Saleh Lahraj Legrane Leouossy Lexelba Maghama Magta-Lahjar Male Mbagne Mbalal Mbout Mederdra Monguel Moudjeria Nbeika Ndiago Néma Niabina Noual Ouad Naga Ouadane Oualata Oueid Jrid Ould Yenge Rdheidhi R' Kiz Sangrave Sélibaby Soudoud Tachott Tamchekett Tawaz Tékane Tichit Tidjikja Tiguent Timbedra Timzinn Tintane Touil Tufunde Cive Wahatt Woumpou
Rural Agricultural	Agharghar Aghoratt Agoueinit Ain Savra Ain Varba Ajoueir Aouleiguatt Aweintat I Bagodine Baidiyam Bangou Bareina Beileguet Litama Beneamane Beribavatt Blajmil Boeir Tores Bouanze Boubacar Ben Amer Boutalhaya Chelkhet Tiyad Daw Devaa Dhar Diadibeny Gandega Dielwar Dodol Cover Doueirara Edbaye El Hejaj Edebaye Ehl Guelay Egjert El Aria El Khatt El Medah El Megve El Melgua El Mouyessar El Verea Elb Address Feireni Ganki Gasra El Barka Ghlig Ehel Boye Gogui Guateidoume Hassi Abdallah Hassi Attilla Hassi Ehel Ahmed Bechna Hassimhadi Hsey Tine Inal Jreif Kouroudel Ksar el Barka Laftah Lahrach Leghligue Lehreijat Lehseira Lekhcheb Leweynatt Lexeiba Maaden Mabrouk I Mabrouk II Megva Melga Melzem Teichett Modibougou N' Savenni Nebaghia Nere Walo Nouamghar Nouamleine Nteichitt Ntrguent Ouad Amour Ould Birem Ouldmbouni Oum Avnadech Ou, Lahyadh, Radhi Sagne Sani Sava Soufa Taguilalett Tarenguet Ehel Moul Tektaka Tenaha Ten Hamadi Tensigh Tikobra Tinghadej Tmeimichatt Tokomadji Toutel Voulaniya Vrea Litama Wali

References