Banc d'Arguin

Banc d'Arguin National Park
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)
Map of the bay showing the Banc d'Arguin National Park
Banc d'Arguin National Park in Mauritania
Location	Mauritania
Nearest city	Nouakchott and Nouadhibou
Coordinates	20°14′N 16°06′W / 20.233°N 16.100°W / 20.233; -16.100Coordinates: 20°14′N 16°06′W / 20.233°N 16.100°W / 20.233; -16.100
Area	12,000 km2 (4,600 sq mi)
Established	1978
Governing body	IUCN
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Type	Natural
Criteria	ix, x
Designated	1989 (13th session)
Reference no.	506
State Party	Mauritania
Region	Arab States

The Banc d'Arguin National Park (French: Parc National du Banc d'Arguin) of Bay of Arguin lies in Western Africa on the west coast of Mauritania between Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. The World Heritage Site is a major breeding site for migratory birds, including flamingos, broad-billed sandpipers, pelicans and terns. Much of the breeding is on sand banks including the islands of Tidra, Niroumi, Nair, Kijji and Arguim. The surrounding waters are some of the richest fishing waters in western Africa and serve as nesting grounds for the entire western region.

The Banc d'Arguin National Park is a Nature reserve that was established to protect both the natural resources and the valuable fisheries, which makes a significant contribution to the national economy (Hoffmann, 1988), as well as scientifically and aesthetically valuable geological sites, in the interests of and for the recreation of the general public. The park's vast expanses of mudflats provide a home for over two million migrant shorebirds from northern Europe, Siberia and Greenland. The region's mild climate and absence of human disturbance makes the park one of the most important sites in the world for these species. The nesting bird population is also noted for its great numbers and diversity. Between 25,000 and 40,000 pairs belonging to 15 species, making the largest colonies of water birds in West Africa (IUCN Technical Evaluation, 1989).