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Algeria
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25
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10
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N
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8
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10
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E
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72,000 km&2
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1972
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The is a
Mountain Range in the
Sahara Desert in southeast
Algeria . It extends about 500 km from east-south-east to , and the highest point is
Adrar Afao , 2158 m, at .
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 Painting s 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 .
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.
