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Tamanrasset ( , also known as
Tamenghest, Tuareg:  ) is an oasis city and
capital of Tamanrasset Province in southern Algeria, in the Ahaggar Mountains.
It is the chief city of the Algerian Tuareg. It is located at  22°47′6″N 5°31′22″E /
22.785°N
5.52278°E / 22.785;
5.52278 at an altitude of 1320 meters
(4333 feet) [1] and has a population of 76,000 (estimate 2006).
Tamanrasset was originally established as a military outpost to guard the
trans-Saharan trade routes. Surrounded by the barren Sahara Desert, some of the
world’s highest known temperatures have been recorded here. Tamanrasset is
located at an oasis where, despite the
difficult climate, citrus fruits, apricots, dates, almonds, cereals, corn, and
figs are grown. The Tuareg people are the town’s main inhabitants. Their red
houses and the area’s magnificent, rugged scenery make Tamanrasset a popular
tourist attraction during the cooler months. Visitors are also drawn to the Museum
of the Hoggar, which offers many exhibits depicting Tuareg life and
culture.
When Algeria was under
French rule, the city was called Fort Laperrine.
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