Area Code 4574 – Nouadhibou

Geographic Overview

The +222 4574 prefix is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Nouadhibou area of Mauritania. Nouadhibou, the country's second-largest city and primary commercial port, is located on the Bay of Levrier in the northwest, near the Western Sahara border. This code covers the city and its immediate surroundings, including the industrial and fishing zones that are vital to the Mauritanian economy.

Dialing Format

When calling a Nouadhibou landline from abroad, you must use the full international format: +222 4574 XXXX. The total number length after the country code is eight digits, with '45' serving as the geographic area code for the Nouadhibou region and '74' as a central office prefix. From within Mauritania, callers dial 4574 XXXX (omitting the international access code and country code). If you are calling from a mobile phone within Mauritania, you can typically dial the same national format.

Caller Instructions

• International callers: Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 011 from the US, 00 from most European countries), followed by 222 (Mauritania's country code), then 4574 and the local subscriber number. For example, to call a number ending in 1234, you would dial +222 4574 1234.
• Local callers: Simply dial 4574 1234 from any fixed or mobile line within Mauritania. No trunk prefix (like '0') is used in Mauritania's national dialing plan.

Administrative and Regulatory Notes

The Mauritanian telecom regulator, the Autorité de Régulation (ARE), oversees the allocation of geographic numbers. The 4574 prefix is part of the numbering plan for the Dakhlet Nouadhibou region. As with many countries, number portability may allow subscribers to retain their numbers when switching providers, but the geographic significance remains tied to the original assignment. Overlays or new prefixes may be introduced as demand grows, but the 4574 code continues to serve the Nouadhibou area.

Practical Considerations

When storing Mauritanian numbers in your contacts, always use the international format (+222 4574 XXXX) to ensure connectivity from abroad. Be aware that some online services or databases may incorrectly list this as a mobile number; however, 4574 is a fixed-line prefix. For business or personal calls, verify the number with the recipient to avoid misdialing, especially when calling from VoIP services that may require a different access code.