FDERIK

also spelled F'derick, formerly Fort-gouraud, Idjil, or Ijill, mining village, north-central Mauritania, western Africa, just west of Zourt. It is important as the base for the exploitation of extensive iron-ore deposits in the nearby Mount Ijill. The iron ore is exported through the Atlantic port of Nouadhibou, via a 419-mile (674-kilometre) railway. There are salt works near Fdrik. Pop. (1977) 2,200.