1– Hoggar or Ahaggar
With one of the biggest and most beautiful deserts in the world, the hoggar, is doubtlessly a well-served region, considering its natural inheritance, both cultural and touristical, and the legendary hospitality of its people, open to the others and deeply anchored in their history and traditions.

2– Geology
Geologically speaking, the Ahaggar is of Precambrian formation with cristaline base caracterized by a recent volcanic activity which sets it as an
open – sky laboratory.

Generally speaking, the geological formations that are found in the wilaya(district) of Tamanrasset date back to :

• Quartenaire (sand dunes, ergs, regs and average terrasses.
• Thirdiaire (sandstone, … higher terrasses)
• Secondary (clay, shalk…)
• Primairy (calcaire…)
• Pre – Cambrian with granitic base.

The most important regions :
Central Ahaggar or Atakar, the Arachoum, the two Tefedest (Tamalat Tasatafat), the Oudane, the Immidir, the Ahnet, the Tassilis, Tidikelt, the Amadror, Ténéré, the Anaheft, tin Rerhor, tin Missao, Ahaggar and n’Ajjer.

3– Archaeology
On both archeological and cultural fields, the ahaggar includes very important archeological sites (prehistorical tombs, rupestrial engravings and paintings) which represent one of the characteristics aspects.

We also find authentic cultural traditions among the populace, which is a plus for anthropology and archaeology.

These historical and archeological sites testify since the break of dawn of times of the disappeared civilizations within this huge Tassili Ahaggar Tidiket : paintings on the cliffs bordering the rivers(oueds), engravings on the sand – stones thousands of tombs.

Theses jewels make one discover the artistical genius of man of neolitics.

Among these sites, there are :
• Tassili of Hoggar : rupestrial paintings and engravings, Tagrera, youfahaket, Abalessa, Tin Akachaker, Tin missao, Hirafok, Issak-Arssene, Aguennar, Tazrouk, Ideles, Ilaman, Tit, Taghaoughaout, Teffedest, Tidekelt, Iharen, Mertoutek, Assekrem, Tadrart, Jabbaren, Issandilen.
• Tassili of in–Akachaker and Tassili of Agharnon.
• The Immidir : gorges of Arak, rupestre engravings 400 km from Tamnrasset.

4– Climate
Because of its position in the central sahara and its relef, the Ahaggar has a diversified climate with rain rates ranging from 131.6 mm/year in the Assekrem to 41.7 mm/year in Tamanrasset, and a temperature not exceeding 30°c in Serkout and Atakor in the months of July and august which allows thus sightseeing at this period.

Thanks to its altitude, this region has a pleasant weather in all seasons. Sand winds are a rarity.

The weather of the region allows longer sightseeing periods than in other saharian regions.

5– Fauna and Flora
Ahaggar flora, rather poor and unvaried, is nevertheless rich in comparison with other regions of central Sahara. It is made up in some parts of groups of trees. The vegetal cycle is accelerated with the first showers (rains); seeds germinate; grow and flower/blossom within ten day periods.

Gueltas, which are isolated water wells with limited capacity, serve on the one hand for nomads and are interesting sites for tourists on the other hand.

Concerning the fauna, the region of ahaggar includes some species which are endangered worldwide and which must be protected. Hunting is prohibited in this area.

6 – Culture and Crafts
From the cultural aspect, the way of life of the locals, from cities or nomadic, their folklore, customs, traditional wisdom show the importance of cultural activities in this region.
The ahaggar is not much populated, and, at the same time as regularly integrating a new way of life, it has its own folkloric elements.

The craft is more or less organized and gets enriched by the influence of foreign crafts (Mali, Niger)

Craft field is full of cooperation and associations. These are more of 50 cultural and folkloric associations in the area.