Aurès Mountains
Encyclopedia
The Aurès or Aurea, refers to an Amazigh language-speaking region in East Algeria, as well as an extension of the Atlas mountain range
that lies to the east of the Saharan Atlas
in eastern Algeria
and northwestern Tunisia
. Not as tall as the Grand Atlas Mountains of Morocco
, the Aurès mountains are far more imposing than the Tell Atlas
range that runs closer to the coast. The highest peak, at 2328 m, is the Djebel Chélia
in Khenchela Province
.
Standing alone in eastern Algeria, the Aurès mountains represent one of the less developed areas in the Maghreb
. The Shawia (eastern Berber
) population practices traditional transhumance
, farming fixed stone terraces in the mountains where they grow sorghum
, other grains, and vegetables, but seasonally moving livestock to relatively warm areas in the lowland valleys where they pitch tents or live in other temporary structures and tend livestock through the winter.
tribes, forming a base of resistance against the Romans
, Vandals
, Byzantine
, and Arabs. It was also a district of Algeria that existed during and after the Algerian War of Independence, from 1954 to 1962. It was in this region that Algerian War of Independence was started by Berber freedom fighters.
Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountains is a mountain range across a northern stretch of Africa extending about through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The highest peak is Toubkal, with an elevation of in southwestern Morocco. The Atlas ranges separate the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines from the Sahara Desert...
that lies to the east of the Saharan Atlas
Saharan Atlas
The Saharan Atlas of Algeria is the eastern portion of the Atlas Mountains. Not as tall as the Grand Atlas of Morocco they are far more imposing than the Tell Atlas range that runs closer to the coast. The tallest peak in the range is the high Djebel Aissa....
in eastern Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
and northwestern Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
. Not as tall as the Grand Atlas Mountains of Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
, the Aurès mountains are far more imposing than the Tell Atlas
Tell Atlas
The Tell Atlas is a mountain chain over 1,500 kilometers in length, belonging to the Atlas mountain ranges in North Africa, stretching from Morocco, through Algeria to Tunisia. It parallels the Mediterranean coast...
range that runs closer to the coast. The highest peak, at 2328 m, is the Djebel Chélia
Djebel Chélia
Djebel Chelia is the highest point in the Aures mountains that straddle the border between Algeria and Tunisia, and the second highest peak in Algeria after Mount Tahat.it situates in the west of Khenchela, in Bouhmama county....
in Khenchela Province
Khenchela Province
-Administrative division:The province is divided into 8 districts, which are further divided into 21 communes or municipalities.-Districts:# Khenchela, as a district and capital# Aïn Touila, located northeastern of capital...
.
Standing alone in eastern Algeria, the Aurès mountains represent one of the less developed areas in the Maghreb
Maghreb
The Maghreb is the region of Northwest Africa, west of Egypt. It includes five countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania and the disputed territory of Western Sahara...
. The Shawia (eastern Berber
Berber people
Berbers are the indigenous peoples of North Africa west of the Nile Valley. They are continuously distributed from the Atlantic to the Siwa oasis, in Egypt, and from the Mediterranean to the Niger River. Historically they spoke the Berber language or varieties of it, which together form a branch...
) population practices traditional transhumance
Transhumance
Transhumance is the seasonal movement of people with their livestock between fixed summer and winter pastures. In montane regions it implies movement between higher pastures in summer and to lower valleys in winter. Herders have a permanent home, typically in valleys. Only the herds travel, with...
, farming fixed stone terraces in the mountains where they grow sorghum
Sorghum
Sorghum is a genus of numerous species of grasses, one of which is raised for grain and many of which are used as fodder plants either cultivated or as part of pasture. The plants are cultivated in warmer climates worldwide. Species are native to tropical and subtropical regions of all continents...
, other grains, and vegetables, but seasonally moving livestock to relatively warm areas in the lowland valleys where they pitch tents or live in other temporary structures and tend livestock through the winter.
History
Historically, the Aurès served as a refuge for the BerberBerber people
Berbers are the indigenous peoples of North Africa west of the Nile Valley. They are continuously distributed from the Atlantic to the Siwa oasis, in Egypt, and from the Mediterranean to the Niger River. Historically they spoke the Berber language or varieties of it, which together form a branch...
tribes, forming a base of resistance against the Romans
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
, Vandals
Vandals
The Vandals were an East Germanic tribe that entered the late Roman Empire during the 5th century. The Vandals under king Genseric entered Africa in 429 and by 439 established a kingdom which included the Roman Africa province, besides the islands of Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia and the Balearics....
, Byzantine
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
, and Arabs. It was also a district of Algeria that existed during and after the Algerian War of Independence, from 1954 to 1962. It was in this region that Algerian War of Independence was started by Berber freedom fighters.
External links
- Les Aurès - Algérie http://algerieaures.afrikblog.com/ (French). Includes many photos of the region.
- Global Heritage Network (GHN) Aures Mountains Maps, Pics, Discussion + more