The Hodh and the Mauritanian Coast 6 As we indicated previously, the Hodh returned to Mauritania in 1945. Today, it is two large wilayas (regions): Hodh El Gharbi and Hodh Ech Chargui. The capital of the first is the city of Nema, and the capital of the second is the city of Ayoun El Atrouss. The population of Hodh Ech Chargui wilaya is over 370,000 people (1997 estimates), distributed over 250,000 km². It includes several areas administratively called moughataas (districts) and centers, the most important of which are Oualata, Timbédra, Amourj, and Bassikounou. Hodh El Gharbi includes (in addition to its capital) several cities and centers, the most important of which are Tamchekett, Timbédra, Kobenni, and Selibaby. Its population is about 300,000 people (1997 estimates). Due to its isolation, the "Road of Hope" was established in the early eighties, with work beginning in 1975. It connects the capital Nouakchott with the city of Nema (passing through Timbédra, Ayoun, and Timbédra). Numerous urban centers have been established along its route, which may cause the depopulation of the areas north of it. This road has also broken the isolation of the northern parts of the Republic of Mali, which do not have a coastline. The Hodh region is of great importance to Mauritania, thanks to its dense population clusters, fertile pastures, significant livestock and agricultural resources, and its strategic location as a point of cultural and human contact between North Africa and the region southwest of the Sahara Desert. Nevertheless, it faces real challenges due to the migration of people to new population centers, their reluctance to raise livestock known for their quality in the Hodh, the emergence of the drought disaster, and the encroaching sands that threaten the entire region. Abéissa, 11 Rabi' al-Awwal 1420 — 14/6/1999 AD