 Mauritania was once known as the "Bilad Chenguetti" – the Land of Chinguetti which reached its apogee during the 17th and 18th centuries.In the 1980s the town was shot up during an attack by Polisario guerrillas which contributed ld to Mauritania withdrawing from that conflict.Today the older south side of the town is partly ruined or buried under dunes, but it still offers an impressive spectacle to the visitor.