Country Algeria Time zone CET (UTC+01) ISO 3166 code DZ-30 | Capital Ouargla Area Code +213 32 Districts 10 | |
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Ouargla or Warqla (Arabic: ولاية ورقلة) is a province (wilaya) in eastern Algeria. Its capital is Ouargla. Other localities include Touggourt, and Hassi Messaoud. It contains the Issaouane Erg desert.
Contents
Map of Ouargla Province, Algeria
History
In the past Ouargla was the center of trading of gold and slaves, as well as being an important center of Ibadi Islam. However, the Ibadis have left for the M'zab valley.
Administrative divisions
The province is divided into 10 districts (daïras), which are further divided into 21 communes or municipalities.
Geology
The region lies within the Algerian Triassic Sedimentary basin containing numerous oil and gas fields, including the Alrar gas field. Production is from Triassic sandstones with Andesitic seals and the Gothlandian shale as a source rock. Major fields include the Hassi R'Mel gas field, Haoud-Berkaolu, Ben-Kahla, and the Guellala.