Editing Chinguetti (section)

===World Heritage Site===
In 1996, UNESCO designated Chinguetti, along with the cities of [[Ouadane]], [[Tichitt]] and [[Oualata]], also in the dunes area, as a [[World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{citation |title=Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata|publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|access-date=2017-08-21|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/750}}</ref> Notable buildings in the town include [[Chinguetti Mosque|The Friday Mosque of Chinguetti]], an ancient structure of dry-stone construction, featuring a square minaret capped with five [[ostrich egg]] finials; the former [[French Foreign Legion]] [[fortress]]; and a tall [[watertower]]. The old quarter has five important manuscript libraries of scientific and [[Qur'an]]ic texts, with many dating from the later [[Middle Ages]]. In recent years, the Mauritanian government, the U.S. Peace Corps, and various NGOs have attempted to position the city as a center for adventurous tourists. Visitors may "ski" down its sand dunes, visit the libraries, and appreciate the stark beauty of the Sahara. 

The [[Chinguetti Mosque|Friday Mosque]] is widely considered by Mauritanians to be the national symbol of the country.<ref name = Smithsonian/> The recently discovered offshore [[Chinguetti oil field|oilfield]] was named Chinguetti in its honor.