Brakna () is a region in south-west Mauritania. Its capital is Aleg. Other major cities/towns include Boghé. The region borders the Mauritanian regions of Tagant to the north-east, Assaba and Gorgol to the south-east, and Trarza to the north-west. The Sénégal River in the south-west runs along the region's border with Senegal. As of 2013, the population of the region was 312,277, compared to 309,307 in 2011. There were 46.96 per cent females and 53.04 per cent males. As of 2008, the activity rate was 40.30 and economic dependency ratio was 1.01. As of 2008, the literacy rate for people aged 15 years and over was 50.30. The net enrollment ratio of children for secondary level was 7.10 per cent. Geography Mauritania is mostly covered with desert, with only its western regions around the coast of Atlantic Ocean having some vegetation. There are some oases in the desert regions. Since it is a desert, there are large shifting dunes forming temporary ranges. The average elevation is around above the mean sea level. The rainfall in the northern regions closer to the Tropic of Cancer receives around of annual rainfall compared to the southern portions that receives around . The average temperature is , while during the night it reaches . 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 of rainfall. Demographics As of 2013, the population of the region was 312,277, compared to 309,307 in 2011. There were 46.96 per cent females and 53.04 per cent males. As of 2008, the Couples with children was 41.40 and Couples without children was 4.30. The proportion with extended family was 18.30 per cent and extended single-parent was 9.90 per cent, one-person was 2.90 per cent, and single-parent nuclear was 23.30 per cent. As of 2008, the rate of household confirming the existence of public telephone in their neighbourhood or village was 72.18, rate of households benefiting from electricity post in their neighbourhood was 3.37 per cent, rate of households benefiting from health centre or health post in their neighbourhood was 16.04 per cent,