Tamanrasset

Tamanrasset
تامنراست
Tamanrasset assize court
Tamanrasset assize court
Location of Tamanrasset commune within Tamanrasset Province
Location of Tamanrasset commune within Tamanrasset Province
Tamanrasset is located in Algeria
Tamanrasset
Tamanrasset
Location of Tamanrasset within Algeria
Coordinates: 22°47′20″N 5°31′32″E / 22.78889°N 5.52556°E / 22.78889; 5.52556
Country Algeria
ProvinceTamanrasset Province
DistrictTamanrasset District
Area
 • Total37,713 km2 (14,561 sq mi)
Elevation
1,320 m (4,330 ft)
Population
 (2008)
 • Total92,635
 • Density2/km2 (5/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
Postal code
11000
Area code(+213) 29
PMA seats (as of 2007)11
ONS code1101
ClimateBWh

Tamanrasset (/ˌtæmənˈræsət/;[1] Arabic: تامنراست), also known as Tamanghasset or Tamenghest, is an oasis city and capital of Tamanrasset Province in southern Algeria, in the Ahaggar Mountains. It is the chief city of the Algerian Tuareg. It is located an altitude of 1,320 metres (4,330 ft). As of the 2008 census, it has a population of 92,635,[2] up from 72,741 in 1998,[3] with an annual growth rate of 2.5%.[2]

Tamanrasset was originally established as a military outpost to guard the trans-Saharan trade routes. Surrounded by the barren Sahara, very high temperatures of over 47 °C (117 °F) have been recorded here. Tamanrasset is located at an oasis where, despite the difficult climate, citrus fruits, apricots, dates, almonds, cereals, corn, and figs are grown. The Tuareg people were once the town's main inhabitants. Tamanrasset is a tourist attraction during the cooler months. Visitors are also drawn to the Museum of the Hoggar, which offers many exhibits depicting Tuareg life and culture.

The city is served by Tamanrasset Airport and the Trans-Sahara Highway.

  1. ^ "Tamanrasset". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Population: Tamanrasset Wilaya" (PDF) (in French). Office National des Statistiques Algérie. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  3. ^ "Algeria Communes". Statoids. Retrieved 8 March 2013.