Hodh El Gharbi (Arabic: ولاية الحوض الغربي, romanized: Wilāyat al-Ḥawḍ al-Gharbī, lit.

To the south in borders Mali, and a part of Malian territory protrudes into the region.

The Aoukar basin, which formerly gave name to a greater region, is located in the northern and central part of Hodh El Gharbi, extending eastwards.

Mauritania is mostly covered with desert, with only its western regions around the coast of Atlantic Ocean having some vegetation.

In modern times, people have migrated to urban centres during the drought in the 1970s and the early 1980s.

Research has indicated that the Saharan movement has resulted in reduction of rains in the region from the 1960s, when it received close to 250 mm (9.8 in) of rainfall.

[12] Mauritania has been divided into 13 wilayas (regions), including the Nouakchott Capital District.

The Local Governments have their own legal jurisdiction, financial autonomy, an annual budget, staff, and an office.

Hodh El Gharbi Region is divided into four departments, listed below with their area and populations at the 2013 census.