Hassi Messaoud

English: A Camel Race at Ouarla, south of Algeria, entry of Tassili desert, near Hassi Messaoud February 27th 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hassi Messaoud, which means blessed well, is a city in Algeria that is indeed blessed tremendously as it is a watering hole and a major oilfield. Who would have known this town that has been around for many, many years would have such natural gifts when dry sandy deserts surround it. You need not look further for a tourist attraction or any other world wonder as Hassi Messaoud is located right in the Sahara Desert.

The town’s prominence has grown especially because of the discovery of oil in 1956, which propelled its success and economic status. And since it’s also a watering hole, traders and other people come to water their animals and quench their thirst.

There are many sights to see in Hassi Messaoud other than the well talked about oil refineries. The remains of the French fort near town may be in ruins but is still scenic and very historical. Hassi Messaoud’s downtown infrastructures such as the town hall, stores and other industries never stop displaying fine French-Arabian architecture building after building. You’ll be surprised to see that there are hardly any houses, as most people live in tall apartments. What would even surprise you more is the massive and eye-catching oil refinery that’s in the middle of the sandy dunes, near the Libya border. You’ll also enjoy a sight of the town’s mosques and their fine restaurants and cafeterias. Although the food is cheap, you’ll definitely be satisfied.

Hassi Messaoud’s history and people are something to go for. Its location and fine natural blessings set it apart form other Algerian cities.

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Algeria

Algeria-1 (Photo credit: didkovskaya)

Officially known as the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, this North African country is considered the second largest country on the entire African continent and the largest on the Mediterranean Sea. In the past, Algeria was a popular tourist destination until the civil war in 1992 brought the tourism industry down. Tourist arrivals started to improve by small increments beginning early 2000, when the Sahara region covered by Algerian territory was opened to tourists. Independent travel has become unpopular since the height of tourist abductions in 2003.

Despite the lack of tourists, Algeria remains to be a fascinating country. Places to check out include the regions of Tassili N’Ajjer and Hoggar, both listed as UNESCO Heritage Sites, where local color is rife in the everyday lives of traditional Algerian tribes. There is also the Algiers, where the old school and the modern meet to showcase an interesting mix of Algeria’s colonial past and hopeful present. Timimoun provides tourists a slice of the Sahara desert while In Sajah is made interesting by the sand dunes that divide the region into two.

Because of its geographical location, the weather in Algeria is mildly wet during winters but can get extremely hot and dry during summers. To enjoy the coastal area, it is recommended that you travel during the months of spring and summer. On the other hand, the Saharan region is best enjoyed between the late autumn and early spring months of November and April.

Although the government has taken steps to ensure the safety of tourists, it is still advisable to check safety advisories. Algeria’s history of abductions and bomb attacks make the place dangerous for backpackers.

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