About Oran

Oran is a major coastal city located in the northwestern part of Algeria, a country in North Africa. It serves as the capital of the Oran Province and is one of the most significant cities in the region. Here are some key points about Oran:

Location: Oran is situated on the Mediterranean Sea's coast, approximately 432 kilometers (268 miles) west of the capital, Algiers. It is strategically positioned as a major port city.
History: Oran has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. It was originally founded by the Berbers and later came under the control of various civilizations, including the Phoenicians, Romans, and Arabs. In the 16th century, it was captured by the Spanish and subsequently the Ottomans.
Cultural Diversity: The city's long history of different rulers and influences has contributed to its cultural diversity. Oran is known for its vibrant mix of Berber, Arab, Andalusian, and French cultures.
Economy: As a major port city, Oran plays a significant role in Algeria's economy. Its port facilitates trade and commerce, handling various goods and commodities.
Education: Oran is home to several universities and educational institutions, making it a regional center for higher education.
Attractions: Oran has various attractions that appeal to locals and tourists alike. Some notable places include the Santa Cruz Fort, the Great Mosque of Oran, the Bey's Palace, and the picturesque waterfront known as "La Corniche."
Music and Arts: Oran is renowned for its lively music scene, particularly Rai music, a popular genre in Algeria. The city has produced numerous famous Rai artists who have gained international recognition.
Population: As of my last update in September 2021, the population of Oran was estimated to be around 800,000 people. However, please note that population figures may have changed since then.
Transportation: Oran is well-connected by air, road, and rail. Es Sénia Airport serves as the main airport for the city, providing domestic and international flights.

Oran is a significant cultural and economic hub in Algeria, contributing to the country's development and representing its diverse heritage. It continues to be an important destination for travelers seeking to explore Algeria's history and experience its rich cultural offerings.

About Algeria:

Algeria is a country located in North Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Tunisia and Libya to the northeast, Niger to the southeast, Mali and Mauritania to the southwest, Western Sahara to the west, and Morocco to the northwest. Here are some key points about Algeria:

Capital and Major Cities: The capital of Algeria is Algiers, which is also the largest city in the country. Other major cities include Oran, Constantine, Annaba, and Setif.
Geography: Algeria is the largest country in Africa and the tenth-largest in the world. It has diverse geographical features, including vast desert regions (Sahara Desert) in the south, fertile coastal plains along the Mediterranean coast, and mountain ranges in the north. The Tell Atlas mountains run parallel to the coast.
History: Algeria's history is rich and complex, with evidence of human habitation dating back thousands of years. Throughout its history, the region has been inhabited by various Berber tribes, and it has been under the rule of several empires, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, and Arabs. In the 19th century, Algeria was colonized by France, leading to a long and brutal war of independence that culminated in Algeria gaining independence in 1962.
Culture and Language: Algeria's culture is a blend of Berber, Arab, and French influences due to its historical interactions. The majority of the population is Arab-Berber, and Islam is the dominant religion. Arabic is the official language, while Berber languages are also spoken by significant segments of the population.
Economy: Algeria possesses vast reserves of natural resources, particularly oil and natural gas, which are crucial to its economy. It is one of the world's leading producers and exporters of natural gas. Besides hydrocarbons, the country also exports minerals, such as iron ore, phosphates, and lead. Agriculture, manufacturing, and services are other important sectors of the economy.
Politics: Algeria is a republic with a semi-presidential system. The President is both the head of state and government. The National People's Assembly is the lower house of the bicameral Parliament, while the Council of the Nation serves as the upper house.
Demographics: As of the last update in September 2021, Algeria's population was estimated to be over 43 million people. The majority of the population lives in urban areas, with Algiers being the most populous city.
Tourism: Algeria has a wealth of historical and natural attractions for tourists to explore. The ancient Roman ruins at Djemila, Timgad, and Tipasa, as well as the Sahara Desert and the Hoggar Mountains, are among the country's popular tourist destinations.

A tour will be organized in the desert: more information on the tour later

Sahara, desert situated in the North of Africa, extends over ten countries (from Morocco to Mauritania, including Sudan and Niger), however it is on the Algerian territory that it occupies most surface. The term Sahara is of Arabic origin (As-Sahara) which means desert or steppe. Thus it is the pleonasm that to say the "desert of Sahara".

It is a hot and dry desert: in summer, it is more than 50 degrees during the day; in winter, he can be 5 degrees at high altitude. Previously, Sahara was swampy. Place setting of steppe and savanna, its fauna was very rich. Today there are only fossils lost in the sand and the rock paintings left by our ancestors in caves. It is a place where the time seems not to have grip anymore on the life so much dunes, changing according to the wind, are short-lived and the unchanging and eternal rocks. The silence is master of a kingdom where the beauty of the landscapes of the rise and the sunset, taking colors seen nowhere else, takes the breath away of the spectator.

The Big Erg: Ergs are big massifs of dunes which occupy approximately 20 % of the surface of Sahara. They evolve according to prevailing wind. Weather conditions are extremely severe there. The rare tracks of vegetation concentrate in small oases situated in the perimeter of the desert. Among the biggest, we find in the North that of El Oued. However it is in the Big western Erg that we find the gardens of Saoura. Of the name of the oued which crosses it, the valley of Saoura is really one of the most attractive regions of the Algerian South.

Gourara is a region of Algeria formed of a set of oasis. Encircled by the Big Western Erg (in the North), Touat and Saoura (on the West) and plateau of Tadmaït (in the South and in the East), an immense flat and rocky area which separates it from Tidikelt (Aïn Salah). Just like Touat (Adrar) and Tidikelt, this region uses the system of irrigation of Foggaras (system of captation of waters of infiltrations). The Big Erg, it is also Beni Abbès, Guirzim, Kerzaz, Timoudi, the oases of Gourara and the closeness of the cities of Laghouat, Ghardaïa and Béchar. This apparently impassable barrier was always crossed by the caravans which make the connection between oases spread in the waves of sand. The main cities, lining the Big Western Erg, are El Meniaa (so called El Goléa), Timimoun (Gourara) and Adrar (Touat).

Lear more about Algeria : https://www.mfa.gov.dz/discover-algeria/about-algeria