EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

The Aurès of the Atlas

Escarpment of the Aurès Mountains
Khenchela Province, Algeria

Explanation:  Welcome to Algeria in north Africa.  Well, at least 30,000 feet over Algeria.  And over this amazing escarpment.

We are flying over the Aurès Mountains, which are an extension of the Atlas Mountain System of northern Algeria and Tunisia.  

The terribly dry and inhospitable-appearing landscape below belies a rich history and current occupation of many cities and villages of mostly Shawia (or Chaouis) people who speak their own ancient language of Amazigh.  

The water body is the reservoir Barrage Babar of Khenchela Province.  
The Babar dam was completed in, and has been operational since, 1985.
The reservoir has a capacity of 33,239 acre-feet (41 million cubic meters) and
is used mostly for irrigation of the lower-elevation croplands of sorghum, other grains, and vegetables.
In the local language Amazigh, babar means "the lion's gate." 

Historically, the Aurès Mountains served as a stronghold for Berber tribes
resisting invading Roman, Vandal, Byzantine, and Arab forces.

The highest peak of the Aurès Mountains is Djebel Chélia, rising some
7,638 ft (2,328 m) above sea level, here within Kenchela Province of Algeria.
The highest point in the above photograph along the escarpment is probably
the peak Ras Tedbouth, at 5,709 ft (1,740m).