Mauritania , Schum

Choum, Mauritania: An Administrative Center on the Edge of the Sahara Desert

Choum is a small town in the province of Tagant in Mauritania, located in the north-eastern part of the country in the hinterland of the Sahara Desert. As an important administrative site and transportation node, Choum is located at a key position on the railroad line connecting Nouadhibou and Zouerate, about 100 kilometers from the Algerian border.

Geography and climate

Shoum has a typical desert climate, with little rainfall throughout the year and a wide range of temperatures between day and night. The surrounding landscape is dominated by gravel plains and sand dunes with sparse vegetation. The average annual precipitation in the region is less than 50 millimeters, and the maximum temperature in summer can reach more than 50 degrees Celsius, while the night temperature in winter may drop below 0 degrees Celsius.

Economic and Transportation Functions

Shoum's core function is in railroad transportation, as an important intermediate station on the main line of iron ore transportation in Mauritania, assuming the role of train scheduling and supplying materials. The town's economy is highly dependent on railroad maintenance and related services, and local residents are mostly railroad workers, traders and nomads.

Humanities and Social Profile

The population is mainly of Moorish and Arab descent, Arabic and French are commonly spoken, and Islamic culture is dominant. Due to the harsh natural conditions, the population size has been maintained at a low level for a long time, the social structure is simple and the infrastructure is relatively basic, reflecting the typical characteristics of settlements on the edge of the desert.