Laghouat

Overview

Laghouat is a big oasis town (2004 pop. 360.000) at about 420 kilometres south of Algiers , where the Sahara desert really starts. It's here that the Mounts of the Atlas and the Sahara desert combine their beauty. The city is of administrative, military and economic importance for the region, and due to the presence of its University is also known as the intellectual capital of the Sahara. It is said that Laghouat is one of the most satisfying propositions for first time "desert" visitors to experience the typical atmosphere of Saharan towns. In fact, when you leave the city in the south, as far as the eye can see, there's only the desert, extraordinarily and mysteriously silent.

History

The modern city dates back to 1852 when the French army took Laghouat. The old city laid in ruins. Urban reconstruction began directly after the end of the siege. General Du Barail shaped the city and gave it its present form. General Margueritte widened and aligned the streets, thus allowing air and light to enter everywhere. Houses, often with arcades, were built in roomy and rectilinear streets. Thus, the map of the modern city was traced. Later administrators just could follow in General Margueritte's footsteps. Laghouat, nowadays, has a completely French street plan; only those streets running through the parks of the oasis are an exception.