Atlas Mountains (Atlas)
The Atlas attraction belongs to the countries: Morocco , Algeria , Tunisia
The Atlas Mountains are an oversized mountain system in northwestern Africa. Stretching from the Atlantic Coast of Morocco through Algeria to the coast of Tunisia. The length of the ranges is 2092 km. the very best point is Mount Toubkal (4167 m). The latter located within the southwest of Morocco. Morocco private desert tours to enjoy a big part of the Atlas range.
Population in The Atlas Mountains
The harsh mountains with a capricious climate don’t seem to be an uninhabited region. There are rivers here (especially within the northwest). Along which settlements have long been formed. Also, The local rivers, which feed their forces with rainwater and infrequently have a “temporary” character, are called by the Arabs Oueds. They even experience floods – in winter, but in summer they dry up almost completely. Especially within the southern and inland regions.
The Berbers (indigenous peoples of North Africa) adapted to measure in such conditions. They survived all the historical vicissitudes of this region. Also, remained persistent inhabitants of the inhospitable mountains. There are differences between them both in language and in way of life. The Berbers of the western chain of mountains are called shilluchs. They lead a more settled way of life, sleep in houses, are engaged in agriculture and successfully own variety of crafts. Their villages are most frequently scattered off from one another.
Farming here requires titanic labor, since first you wish to make your allotment. There’s often no soil on the rocky, weathered slopes of the mountains. So future farmers seek for places within the hollows where they washed or applied the planet. Also, from there they carry it in baskets on their heads to their site. Precious soil is laid in special terraces. They are hollowed get into the rocks. Then this land must be monitored in order that it’s not washed away by rain. The plots are so small that it’s impossible to process them with a plow. You’ve got to try to to everything manually.
Get to know more aboout the Atlas:
The inhabitants of such villages are engaged in sheep breeding. But their neighbors from the eastern a part of the mountains – masigs – still sleep in caves and tents, which, apparently. It is more convenient for his or her active movements. Also, because masigs are excellent cattle breeders. The stunted vegetation of the slopes is food for livestock. You’ll be able to climb to higher valleys. The place where the grass is juicier. Some tribes of the Berbers are exclusively pastoralists. As well at the identical time they need permanent villages. Here they return after grazing within the mountains. Also,they sleep in temporary camps.
Berbers represent mainly the Moroccan a part of the inhabitants of the mountains. From the side of Algeria, they were also mastered by Kabils (a local type of Berbers). Recently, people have significantly influenced the landscape – within the north, closer to the coast, there’s less natural vegetation, the world of artificially irrigated land has increased, on which citrus fruits, cereals are grown, olive and eucalyptus trees, date palms are cultivated. And peach and apricot orchards, pomegranate plantations and vineyards can now be seen near private buildings. These interventions within the ecosystem even gave rise to variety of problems: for instance, deforestation in places led to erosion. The 3 days desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga will take you to the high pass of a road.
Mountain exploration
The existence of those mountains was discussed by the Phoenicians, who were still actively traveling round the world, then by the traditional Greeks. and therefore the Romans – in 42, the Roman commander Gaius Suetonius Paulinus (I century) crossed the mountains. And in II century the Greek wandering philosopher, Orator and writer Maxim from Tire had already compiled a reasonably detailed description of the mountains for that point.
But the globe scientific community could significantly expand its understanding of this mountainous country only by the 19th century, when the outstanding German explorer of Africa Gerhard Rolfe (1831-1896) crossed the High Atlas under the guise of a Muslim within the service of the Moroccan sultan, studied the most important oases and went deep into the Sahara from Algeria. it absolutely was he who significantly refined the map of the ridges and created two books from the descriptions of his routes and impressions.
Tourists began to return here for researchers, they’re attracted by sunrises and sunsets within the mountains, beautiful views, many migratory birds, mountain oases (like Chebik in Tunisia), centers of life within the desert (like the Sauf group of oases in Algeria), Moroccan date oases and also the palace pasha of Marrakech Thami el Glaoui.
Interesting Facts
Usually monkeys (macaques) settle in temperate latitudes and like Asia. But within the Atlas Mountains, the sole species that lives not only during this difficult climate, but is additionally the sole simian species that lives naturally in southern Europe (in Gibraltar) is that the magots, barbary monkeys, or Barbary (Maghreb) macaques. Moreover, the region of the range is taken into account their homeland. One version even admits that this species previously lived in several regions of Europe, and therefore the colony in Gibraltar is just the sole thing left. Magots have remarkable habits. as an example, males can choose a favourite for themselves from among not only their own, but also other people’s cubs, so they’re going to be courted in every possible way and proudly show their comrades.
Atlas Cedar Oil is a wonderful antiseptic and fat-breaking agent. it’s long been used for medicinal purposes, for the manufacture of mummifying balms and remains utilized in cosmetology and perfumery.
A local wild cereal called “alpha” may be made into fine paper: its fibers produce the so-called “false horsehair”, suitable even for weaving. In some places they struggle to grow it advisedly.
Prominent British politician author is additionally little called an artist: he’s believed to possess painted his only painting during the years of warfare II in 1943 during his meeting with American President President in Casablanca, watching the sunset over the chain of mountains from this Moroccan city.
