Ten Hamadi

Ten Hamadi
تن حمادي
Tenhamad
Commune and village
Landscape to the northeast of Ten Hamadi, near Aïoun El Atrouss
Landscape to the northeast of Ten Hamadi, near Aïoun El Atrouss
Ten Hamadi is located in Mauritania
Ten Hamadi
Ten Hamadi
Location in Mauritania
Coordinates: 16°32′1″N 9°41′51″W / 16.53361°N 9.69750°W / 16.53361; -9.69750
Country Mauritania
RegionHodh El Gharbi
DepartmentAïoun El Atrouss
Population
 (2000)
 • Commune and village2,264
 • Metro
155 (village)
Time zoneUTC+0 (GMT)

Ten Hamadi (Arabic: تن حمادي) or Tenhemad is a village and rural commune in southern Mauritania, in the Aïoun El Atrouss department of the Hodh El Gharbi region.[1] In 2000, the commune had a population of 2,264, of which 155 lived in the village of Ten Hamadi itself, approximately 17 kilometres (11 mi) southwest of the main town and departmental capital of Aïoun El Atrouss. The population estimate in 2007 was 3,686, spread over 16 villages.

The northern part of the commune is hilly but relatively favorable to agriculture, while the southern part is flat and characterized by sand dunes. Situated at the southern boundary of the Sahara-Sahel region of southern Mauritania, the climate is generally hot and dry.

Most of the population live in poverty, occupied in farming or raising livestock. Some have moved to the cities to seek a higher standard of living, returning to help during the peak periods of agricultural activity. Infrastructure is underdeveloped; there is no electricity supply, most water comes from traditional wells, and the rudimentary school system provides only elementary education in poorly equipped establishments.