Laghouat, Algeria

Capital City

With a population of 455,602, Laghouat is a sprawling oasis town in the Saharan Atlas mountains, 400 km south of Algiers. The city's history is marked by brutal colonial repression - the 1852 Siege of Laghouat resulted in the deaths of two-thirds of the population. Today, bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the desert climate can be harsh, with severe droughts and encroaching sand dunes. Still, the town remains an important administrative and military center, known for its rug and tapestry weaving. Those seeking an authentic Algerian experience, away from the coast, may find Laghouat an intriguing, if challenging, destination.