Saoura

Overview

Introduction

This region in the western Grand Erg is adjacent to both Morocco and Mauritania. It's fairly difficult to reach even the main towns in this area because there aren't many roads. Tindouf is most easily visited from southeastern Morocco. It's also the base for thousands of the Saharawi people, who live in refugee camps as a result of the fighting in disputed Western Sahara. Bechar is most easily accessible from northwestern Morocco or while going overland from Algeria to Mali. This region, regarded as the crossroads of African and Mediterranean civilizations, has profound historical importance, but we wouldn't recommend making a special trip there because the scenery and towns look much the same as in less-remote areas. The most interesting aspect of the towns is that their casbahs are designed like forts, with thick earthen walls, square towers, gates and moats. 900 mi/1,450 km southwest of Algiers.

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