Tassili n'Ajjer

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The Tassili n'Ajjer (Arabic: تصلة ناجر) is a mountain range in the Sahara desert in southeast Algeria. It extends about 500 km from [26°20′N 5°00′E] east-south-east to [24°00′N 10°00′E], and the highest point is Adrar Afao, 2158 m, at [25°10′N 8°11′E].

The range is composed largely of sandstone. Erosion in the area has resulted in nearly 300 natural rock arches being formed, along with many other spectacular landforms.

Because of the altitude and the water-holding properties of the sandstone, the vegetation is somewhat richer than the surrounding desert; it includes a very scattered woodland of the endangered endemic species Saharan Cypress and Saharan Myrtle in the higher eastern half of the range. The range is also noted for its prehistoric rock paintings and other ancient archaeological sites, dating from glacial times when the local climate was much moister, with savannah rather than desert.

Much of the range, including the cypresses and archaeological sites, is protected in a National park, Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site, the Tassili n'Ajjer National Park.

The ecology of the Tassili n'Aljer is best described in the article West Saharan montane xeric woodlands, the ecoregion to which this area belongs.

The nearest town is Djanet, about 10 km southwest of the range.

External links

World Heritage Sites in Algeria

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Tassili n'Ajjer National Park