Aoukar Depression
The Aoukar Depression also Erg Aoukar is a natural region in a geological depression in southeastern Mauritania .
geography
The Aoukar Depression is located between the city of Kiffa in the Assaba region in the west and the city of Néma in the Hodh Ech Chargui region in the east at an altitude of about 240 meters above sea level. In the north it is bounded by the Tagant Plateau , in the south by the border with the Republic of Mali .
history
In the period from 1,700 BC to around 400 BC, the valley was covered by an endorheic lake with no outflow . People settled on its banks, but when the lake dried up, they lost their livelihoods. Around four hundred of their abandoned settlements have been found to date.
Wildlife
The Aoukar Depression is one of the few natural retreats for the Mendes antelope (Addax). The species is seriously threatened in its continued existence in the desert regions of Africa and Asia.