Tamanrasset is located in the heart of the Algerian Desert of the Sahara. In general, the province has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classificationBWh), with very hot summers and mild winters, though more mountainous areas, such as the Hoggar Mountains, tend to have cooler temperatures compared to the flatter southern and western parts of the province.[3] The average altitude of the province is about 1,400 meters. The province is home to the highest peak in Algeria, Mount Tahat, located in the Hoggar Mountains with an elevation of 3,003 meters.
History
In 1961, the village of In Eker, located in present-day Tamanrasset Province, was the location of several underground nuclear tests by the French military. According to the Victims of Nuclear Tests in In Eker, over 500 people in the province of Tamanrasset have been impacted by these tests.
The province was created on July 2, 1974 from the Oasis Department following a reorganization of Algeria's provinces. In 1983, its borders were modified.
On November 26, 2019, the districts of In Salah and In Guezzam, previously delegated wilayas (provinces), were promoted to province status. Prior to 2019, the area of the province was 557,906 km2.
Government
Administrative divisions
The province is divided into 3 districts (daïras),[4] which are further divided into 5 communes or municipalities.
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