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Take The Arduous, 17-Hour Train Trip To Mauritania's Remote Iron Mines [PHOTOS]

Take The Arduous, 17-Hour Train Trip To Mauritania's Remote Iron Mines [PHOTOS]

The journey starts in Nouadhibou, the second largest city in Mauritania and a major trade port.

Take The Arduous, 17-Hour Train Trip To Mauritania's Remote Iron Mines [PHOTOS]

Huge ships come from all over the world to pick up loads of freight. Nouadhibou is also home to many retired and abandoned ships, and is known as the world's largest ship graveyard.

Huge ships come from all over the world to pick up loads of freight. Nouadhibou is also home to many retired and abandoned ships, and is known as the world

Nouadhibou is the western end of the Mauritania Railway. From here, the tracks run deep into the desert, some 437 miles.

Nouadhibou is the western end of the Mauritania Railway. From here, the tracks run deep into the desert, some 437 miles.

Every day, around 100 people pile on board the train, which isn't even technically meant for people, save a few old passenger cars at the end of the train. Tickets cost four dollars for the passenger train. Hitching, of course, is free.

Every day, around 100 people pile on board the train, which isn

They come from all over the world for the promise of work. This man, a business official, came from China. Last year, 76% of all Mauritania's exporting was attributed to SNIM's iron ore shipped to China.

They come from all over the world for the promise of work. This man, a business official, came from China. Last year, 76% of all Mauritania

On paper, the train officials frown on hitching a ride on the Mauritania Railway, but it's the only way to get to the eastern desert towns.

On paper, the train officials frown on hitching a ride on the Mauritania Railway, but it

The train can be up to 1.6 miles long, making it one of the longest trains in the world.

The train can be up to 1.6 miles long, making it one of the longest trains in the world.

Travelers experience extreme temperatures on the ride. The cars can get extremely hot in the mid-day sun and very cold when the sun sets.

Travelers experience extreme temperatures on the ride. The cars can get extremely hot in the mid-day sun and very cold when the sun sets.

After 17 arduous hours, passengers finally reach Zouérat, the largest town in Northern Mauritania, and home to country's the biggest iron ore mine.

After 17 arduous hours, passengers finally reach Zouérat, the largest town in Northern Mauritania, and home to country

Workers and their families live near the mines. The people of Zouérat are fond of calling their town the "Lung of Mauritania's Economy."

Workers and their families live near the mines. The people of Zouérat are fond of calling their town the "Lung of Mauritania

The town itself has a population of 38,000. Most of them work at one of the three mines in the area.

The town itself has a population of 38,000. Most of them work at one of the three mines in the area.

The mine dominates the landscape. It dwarfs the town to the northeast of it.

The mine dominates the landscape. It dwarfs the town to the northeast of it.

In Zouérat alone, 6.7 million tons of iron have been mined in the first six months of 2013.

In Zouérat alone, 6.7 million tons of iron have been mined in the first six months of 2013.

And like clockwork, the train leaves Zouérat every day, filled with iron ore and people, headed back to Nouadhibou.

And like clockwork, the train leaves Zouérat every day, filled with iron ore and people, headed back to Nouadhibou.

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