National park of the Bench of Arguin

See also: Bench of Arguin

The National park of the Bench of Arguin is a Natural reserve of Mauritania.

Created in 1976, become site “Ramsar” in 1982 and site of the world heritage of UNESCO in 1989, the National park|National park of the Bench of Arguin is governed by the law 2000/24 which was offered symbolically by the Government Mauritania N like gift to the ground on March 14th, 2001, at the time of the “Countryside for an alive planet” of WWF.

Of an extent of 12.000 km ², this marine and coastal park occupies the Eastern half of the Gulf of Arguin. It extends from the course Timiris in north with the course of Arguin and the Minou point in the south, and also includes/understands the islands of Arguin and Tidra.

Conservation of natural environment and Sustainable development of the populations are the main aims of the PNBA.

The National park of the Bench of Arguin plays a key role for the maintenance of the marine Biodiversité and the protection of the ecosystem of the Gulf of Arguin, showpiece of the renewal of the resources Halieutiques on the scale of the ZEE Mauritanian and, undoubtedly, more largely on a sous-régionale scale.

Geography

The island of Arguin is an island on the Saharienne coast of Mauritania, including one vast bay with blue water and violets, with the top of the herbaria. Simple sandstone platform posed on the sea, it is a few 6 km long on 4 broad. Swept by sorb-apple, crushed sun, the island can remain years without receiving rain; also carries it only well little vegetation (which reverdit besides only after one downpour). It shelters one of the most important concentrations of birds of sea of planet.

History

If there exist many islands on this coast, that of Arguin is the only one to have fresh water, in a sump open on the rock plate.

As of the end of prehistory, the man settles in the island where one finds traces Neolithic. Portuguais create there an establishment at the 15th century semi-fortress, semi-foreign post. They are driven out in 1633 by the Dutch of the “ Westindishe Co ”, driven out in their turn by the French of Ducasse in 1678. In 1685, Frederic Guillaume Ier de Brandebourg, conquers the place, wanting in its turn to create a small colonial field, with a powerful castle with Ghana and the poor place of Arguin. But its successors yield these counters to the Dutchmen, in 1717.

The trade of gum having acquired a great importance for European industry, France will settle of sharp force with Arguin, after the campaigns of 1721,1723,1724. But in 1728, it will be the final abandonment. To maintain a garrison with Arguin is definitely too expensive, and the trade of gum moves more in the south.

The bench of Arguin does not hold the attention then than by the shipwrecks only it can cause: July 2nd, 1816, the frigate the Jellyfish , which used charts of 1753, whose errors could reach a hundred kilometers, failed itself in four to five meters of water, to 50 km of the coast and, for roof of bad luck to high tide. 146 men (and a woman) take refuge on a dreadful floating raft between two water, and on board of which there was neither vivres nor fresh water.

Géricault, with the Radeau of the Jellyfish immortalisa this fact various celebrates, dramatic illustration of the myth of the raft where one entretue, or one between-eats oneself: at the end of 13 days, the brig Argus will find only 15 survivors, of which 5 still will die.

External bonds

  • National park of the Bench of Arguin
  • International foundation of the Bench of Arguin
  • Card of the park on site UNEP-WCMC

Random links:Pierre Jacquinot | Friedrich Ludewig Bouterweck | Martin Larocque | Nabari | Park Clelles-Lie | Igors_Vihrovs