November 22, 2018
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12:25Now PlayingAt 430 miles long, the formidable Mauritania Railway, nicknamed the “backbone of the Sahara,” boasts some of the longest and heaviest trains in the world. Its journey begins in Zouerat, Mauritania, where 22,000 tons of iron ore are mined daily and transported across the searing desert to the port city of Nouadhibou, on Africa’s Atlantic coast. Sometimes the train also carries passengers—merchants who travel illegally atop the train to transport food and supplies to remote Saharan communities. The ride is treacherous. Many die en route. Read more:
"The Mauritania Railway: Backbone of the Sahara" was directed by Miguel de Olaso. It is part of The Atlantic Selects, an online showcase of short documentaries from independent creators, curated by The Atlantic.
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