Map - Gorgol Region (Gorgol)

Gorgol (ولاية كركول) is a region in southern Mauritania. Its capital is Kaédi and the Gorgol River forms parts of the landscape. Other major cities/towns include Mbout and Maghama. The region borders the Mauritanian regions of Brakna and Assaba to the north, the Mauritanian region of Guidimaka to the south-east and Senegal to the south-west. The Senegal River runs along the region's border with Senegal.

As of 2013, the population of the region was 335,917, compared to 310,656 in 2011. There were 48.23 per cent females and 51.77 per cent males. As of 2008, the activity rate was 48.90 and economic dependency ratio was 1.24. As of 2008, the literacy rate for people aged 15 years and over was 40.50. The location government is headed by an elected district representative, while the elections for the local government are conducted every five years. On account of the political instability, the last elections were held in 2006.

Mauritania is mostly covered with desert, with only its western regions around the coast of Atlantic Ocean having some vegetation. There are some oasis in the desert regions. Since it is a desert, there are large shifting dunes forming temporary ranges. The average elevation is around 460 m above the mean sea level. The rainfall in the northern regions closer to the Tropic of Cancer receives around 100 mm of annual rainfall compared to the southern portions that receives around 660 mm. The average temperature is 37.8 C, while during the night it reaches 0 C. Due to the geography, the inhabitants historically, have been nomadic. In modern times, people have migrated to urban centres during the drought in 1970 and 1980. There are a few sedentary cultivators, who are located only in the Southern regions of the country. Research has indicated that the Saharan movement has resulted in reduction of rains in the region from the 1960s, when it received close to 250 mm of rainfall.