Laghouat District
Laghouat, town and oasis, north-central Algeria. It is located where the northern fringe of the Sahara meets the southern edge of the Saharan Atlas Mountains, on the route linking Algiers with central Africa. The oasis (625 acres [253 hectares]) was probably settled in the 11th century after the Banū Hilāl invaders, supported by the Fāṭimids of Egypt, crossed the area. Laghouat subsequently passed through Moroccan and Turkish hands and was divided by two warring groups representing the Ouled Serrine and Hallaf peoples. The oasis, taken and united by the French in 1852, reverted to Algeria in 1962. It is one of four major population centres in the region; the others are the seminomads’ market town of Aflou and the Mʾzab and el-Golea oases groups.
Laghouat lies on the Wadi Mzi (Wadi Djedi in its lower course), built on two hills that are northward extensions of Mount Tizigarine. The modern quarter, on the southern hill, contains the administrative and military installations. The old section, on the northern hill, retains its Saharan-style architecture and is the location of the cathedral of the bishop of the Sahara. Three dams on the Wadi Mzi irrigate date palms, fruit trees, vegetables, and cereals. Laghouat is known for its woven wall hangings and knotted woolen carpets. Pop. (1998) 96,342; (2008) 134,373.
Municipalities
The district is further divided into 1 municipalities:
Distances
410 Kilometers North (N) the capital of the country: Algiers
110 Kilometers North (N) Djelfa Town
130 Kilometers Northwest (NW) Bou Saâda Town
200 Kilometers South (S) Ghardaia Village
References
- ^ "Décret executif n° 91-306 du 24 août 1991 fixant la liste des communes animées par chaque chef de daïra. 03 - Wilaya de Laghouat" [List of municipalities animated by each District chief: 03 - Laghouat Province] (PDF) (in French). Journal officiel de la République Algérienne. 4 September 1991. p. 1294. Retrieved 2019-11-03.
- ^ "Wilaya de Laghouat: répartition de la population résidente des ménages ordinaires et collectifs, selon la commune de résidence et la dispersion" (PDF) (in French). Retrieved 2019-11-03.. Data from the 2008 General Population and Housing Census on the site of the NOS Algeria.
- ^ "Laghouat | Algeria".
- ^ "Décret executif n° 91-306 du 24 août 1991 fixant la liste des communes animées par chaque chef de daïra. 03 - Wilaya de Laghouat" [List of municipalities animated by each District chief: 03 - Laghouat Province] (PDF) (in French). Journal officiel de la République Algérienne. 4 September 1991. p. 1294. Retrieved 2019-11-03.