Hodh Ech Chargui Region

Hodh Ech Chargui is a large region in eastern Mauritania, with an area of 182,700 km2. Its capital is Néma, but the largest town, in Bassiknou Department, is Vassale at the extreme southeast of Mauritania, with 65,927 inhabitants at the 2013 Census. The region borders the Mauritanian regions of Adrar, Tagant and Hodh El Gharbi to the west and Mali to the east and south. The Aoukar basin, which formerly gave name to the greater region, is located in the southwestern part of Hodh El Gharbi.As of 2013, the population of the region was 430,668, compared to 363,071 in 2011. There were 47.71 per cent females and 52.29 per cent males. As of 2008, the activity rate was 61.50 and economic dependency ratio was 1.11. As of 2008, the literacy rate for people aged 15 years and over was 53.90. The location government is headed by an elected district representative, while the elections for the local government are conducted every five years. On account of the political instability, the last elections were held in 2006.GeographyMauritania is mostly covered with desert, with only its western regions around the coast of Atlantic Ocean having some vegetation. There are some oasis in the desert regions. Since it is a desert, there are large shifting dunes forming temporary ranges. The average elevation is around 460m above the mean sea level. The rainfall in the northern regions closer to the Tropic of Cancer receives around 100mm of annual rainfall compared to the southern portions that receives around 660mm. The average temperature is 37.8C, while during the night it reaches 0C. Due to the geography, the inhabitants historically, have been nomadic. In modern times, people have migrated to urban centres during the drought in 1970 and 1980. There are a few sedantary cultivators, who are located only in the Southern regions of the country. Research has indicated that the Saharan movement has resulted in reduction of rains in the region from the 1960s, when it received close to 250mm of rainfall.