Merzouga is a small village in southeastern Morocco, about 35 km (22 mi) southeast of Rissani, about 55 km (34 mi) from Erfoud and about 50 km (31 mi) from the Algerianborder.
The village is known for its proximity to Erg Chebbi and is a popular destination for tourists.[1] It has been described as "a desert theme park" and the Erg Chebbi as "a wonderland of sand".[2] Merzouga has the largest natural underground body of water in Morocco.[citation needed]
A typical street in the older part of Merzouga
In 2006, Merzouga experienced devastating flash floods, displacing 1,200 and resulting in some deaths.
Near the dunes of Erg Chebbi there are other known villages: Hassilabied 4 km (2.5 mi) away, Tanamoust 3 km (1.9 mi) away, Takoujt 1.5 km (0.93 mi) away, Khamlia 7 km (4.3 mi) away and Tisserdmine 15 km (9.3 mi) away.
HistoryEdit
Legend states that Merzouga once flourished as a tropical jungle until it was turned into a desert environment by God who punished families for refused offerings to a poor woman and buried them in the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Merzouga was uninhabited but later became a transit point for merchants heading to Timbuktu. It later became a pilgrimage for the nomads of the Ait Atta tribes and eventually became a tourist destination.
merzouga, small, village, southeastern, morocco, about, southeast, rissani, about, from, erfoud, about, from, algerian, border, location, moroccocoordinates, 09917, 01167, 09917, 01167country, moroccoregiondrâa, tafilaletprovinceerrachidiatime, zoneutc, summer. Merzouga is a small village in southeastern Morocco about 35 km 22 mi southeast of Rissani about 55 km 34 mi from Erfoud and about 50 km 31 mi from the Algerian border MerzougaMerzougaLocation in MoroccoCoordinates 31 5 57 N 4 0 42 W 31 09917 N 4 01167 W 31 09917 4 01167Country MoroccoRegionDraa TafilaletProvinceErrachidiaTime zoneUTC 0 WET Summer DST UTC 1 WEST Websitehttp www merzouga org The village is known for its proximity to Erg Chebbi and is a popular destination for tourists 1 It has been described as a desert theme park and the Erg Chebbi as a wonderland of sand 2 Merzouga has the largest natural underground body of water in Morocco citation needed A typical street in the older part of MerzougaIn 2006 Merzouga experienced devastating flash floods displacing 1 200 and resulting in some deaths Near the dunes of Erg Chebbi there are other known villages Hassilabied 4 km 2 5 mi away Tanamoust 3 km 1 9 mi away Takoujt 1 5 km 0 93 mi away Khamlia 7 km 4 3 mi away and Tisserdmine 15 km 9 3 mi away History EditLegend states that Merzouga once flourished as a tropical jungle until it was turned into a desert environment by God who punished families for refused offerings to a poor woman and buried them in the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi Merzouga was uninhabited but later became a transit point for merchants heading to Timbuktu It later became a pilgrimage for the nomads of the Ait Atta tribes and eventually became a tourist destination Ancient fortified villages have existed in Merzouga for centuries During French colonial rule fortifications were built by troops of the French Foreign Legion after the battles of Taflalet which occurred between 1916 and 1932 References Edit Rough Guides 2016 The Rough Guide to Morocco Penguin p 655 ISBN 9780241276532 Retrieved 14 May 2019 Minca Claudio Wagner Lauren 2016 Chapter 7 Sahara Moroccan Dreams Oriental Myth Colonial Legacy Bloomsbury ISBN 9781786730176 Retrieved 14 May 2019 External links Edit nbsp Media related to Merzouga at Wikimedia Commonshttp www merzouga org Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Merzouga amp oldid 1170347515, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
