Arak gorges

The Arak gorges are a series of desert gorges located in Tamanrasset Province, Algeria.[1] The gorges are roughly 330 kilometres from the city of Tamanrasset. Carved by ancient river activity, the canyon walls vary in height from 250 to 500 m (800 to 1600 ft), and the canyon base is now a dry wadi.[2]

Arak gorges
Geography
Coordinates25°17′23″N 3°44′39″E 

Despite the extremely dry climate (only 60 to 75 mm of rain per year), hardy desert plants and animals survive in the gorges. Examples include the red-headed rock agama, wheatear birds, and small vultures.[2] There are no permanent human settlements in the gorges, though stone tools and burial mounds indicate the occasional human presence throughout history.[2]

  • Topographic map of the region surrounding Arak
    Topographic map of the region surrounding Arak
  • Location of Arak and altimetric profile through the gorges
    Location of Arak and altimetric profile through the gorges

References
  1. Arak gorges at GEOnet Names Server
  2. Scheffel, Richard L.; Wernet, Susan J., eds. (1980). Natural Wonders of the World. United States of America: Reader's Digest Association, Inc. p. 54. ISBN 0-89577-087-3.


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