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In Salah

Coordinates: 27°15′N 2°31′E / 27.25°N 2.52°E / 27.25; 2.52
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Template:Infobox Algerian Municipality

In-Salah (Arabic: عين صالح) is an oasis town in central Algeria. It was once an important trade link of the trans-Saharan caravan route. Population 28,022. In Salah is home to some of Algeria's largest oil and gas reserves and plants. The village is located in the heart of the Sahara Desert region of northern Africa. The name In-Salah comes from the term "good well" and the water is known for its' rather unpleasant, salty taste.[1].

Features of Interest

File:In Salah Dune.jpg
Sand dune encroaching upon the village of In-Salah. Image source: The Encyclopedia of the Orient (looklex.com)

A creeping sand dune on the western edge of town is literally advancing on the city and cuts In Salah in half. The dune is moving at a speed of approximately one meter every five years. As buildings are covered by it's leading edge, structures at the back of the dune are being gradually uncovered. When a formerly covered location at the back of the dune once again becomes free, it is established who the past owners were and the building is restored and moved into by relatives.[2]. Four red or violet clay brick ksars (walled villages) are found in the oasis, each having it's own citadel. [3]

Transport

Air flights via In Salah Airport connect the town with the capital Algiers and other major cities in Algeria. The Bus station of In-Salah hosts buses going to the north and south. There is a hotel, a restaurant, an internet cafe and two camping sites located in the city and surrounding area. See In salah camping.

Economy

Aside from oil and gas reserves, the main economic activities of In Salah are agricultural in nature with irrigation being supplied by artesian wells. The oasis has approximately 225,000 date palms. The chief produce are dates, fruits and vegetables. Fruit and vegetable gardens and Palm groves envelop the village. These groves are protected from the always advancing sand by hedges[4]. In-Salah is also a centre for nomadic Tuareg.[5] The In Salah oil and gas fields are home to the In Salah Project, a major component of which includes a facility to remove CO2 from the gas produced. The CO2 is then re-injected into an underground formation.[6].

Historically, In Salah was formerly a trading town which dealt in slaves, ivory and gold from the south. These goods were exchanged with European goods from the north.[7].

Media

Satellite image of In-Salah (right)- from NASA Image Exchange. Note the oasis (bottom center) and city at the top/right of image. The dark areas in the center of the image are agricultural areas.


Photo gallery/virtual tour featuring 24 images of the In-Salah area and their locations. From Panoramio[8]:
CLICK HERE

Climate

The Saharan desert region of Algeria has a climate that is virtually rainless. In-Salah averages less than one inch of rainfall per year. Summer temperatures are consistently high but temperatures at night fall low enough to be quite tolerable. Winter nights can be chilly and frost is by no means unknown but the days are warm and sunny.[9]


Monthly Averages[10]

Month High Low Precip.
F/C F/C In./mm
January 71 / 22 45 / 7 .15 / 3.7
February 77 / 25 50 / 10 .14 / 3.5
March 83 / 29 56 / 13 .05 / 1.2
April 92 / 33 63 / 17 .06 / 1.6
May 100 / 38 72 / 22 .02 / 0.5
June 110 / 43 82 / 27 .00 / 0.1
July 112 / 45 85 / 29 .00 / 0.0
August 111 / 44 84 / 29 .02 / 0.5
September 105 / 40 78 / 26 .01 / 0.2
October 93 / 34 67 / 20 .05 / 1.2
November 81 / 27 55 / 13 .02 / 0.5
December 71 / 22 46 / 8 .11 / 2.7
Yearly Mean 91.83 63.33


Historical weather records for In Salah: http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/IN-SALAH/606300.htm

External links

Google Maps World Gazateer Looklex Encyclopedia

Notes

  1. ^ Looklex Encyclopedia of the Orient: www.looklex.com
  2. ^ Looklex Encyclopedia of the Orient: www.looklex.com
  3. ^ "I-n-Salah." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 13 Dec. 2008
  4. ^ "I-n-Salah." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 13 Dec. 2008
  5. ^ [1]http://lexicorient.com/e.o/in_salah.htm
  6. ^ http://www.co2captureandstorage.info/project_specific.php?project_id=71
  7. ^ Looklex Encyclopedia of the Orient: www.looklex.com
  8. ^ [http://www.panoramio.com/
  9. ^ The Times Books World Weather Guide, E.A Pearce and C.G. Smith, TIMES BOOKS, The New York Times Book Co., Inc.
  10. ^ http://www.wunderground.com


27°15′N 2°31′E / 27.25°N 2.52°E / 27.25; 2.52

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