World Heritage Identification Number: 188
World Heritage since: 1982
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇩🇿 Algeria
Continent: Africa
UNESCO World Region: Arab States
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The M'Zab Valley: A Timeless Oasis in the Sahara Desert
The M'Zab Valley, situated in the heart of the Sahara Desert, is a remarkable testament to human resilience and adaptability. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, this ancient oasis has remained largely unchanged since its establishment in the 10th century.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
A traditional human habitat, created in the 10th century by the Ibadites around their five ksour (fortified cities), has been preserved intact in the M’Zab valley. Simple, functional and perfectly adapted to the environment, the architecture of M’Zab was designed for community living, while respecting the structure of the family. It is a source of inspiration for today’s urban planners.
Encyclopedia Record: M'zab
The M'zab, or Mzab, is a natural region of the northern Sahara Desert in Ghardaïa Province, Algeria. It is located 600 km (370 mi) south of Algiers and has approximately 360,000 inhabitants.Additional Site Details
Area: 665.03 hectares
(iii) — Unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition
(v) — Outstanding example of traditional human settlement
Coordinates: 32.48333 , 3.68333
Image
© Camille Gillet, CC BY-SA 4.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
