Gueltates Afilal

Afilal
Afilal
Afilal

Gueltates Afilal

  • Country: 
    Algeria
  • Site number: 
    1298
  • Area: 
    20,900 ha
  • Designation date: 
    06-04-2003
  • Coordinates: 
    23°08'N 05°43'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

The gueltates, unique to this region, comprise small terraces, pools and cascades in which water runs permanently in this completely desert environment. The Site contains rich vegetation which is similar to that of the Gueltates d’Issakarassene (Ramsar Site no.1058), and the diverse fauna includes fish species such as the desert barbel. It is rich in perennial plant species, the majority of which are endemic, such as Olea laperrinei, Rhus tripartita and Rumex simpliciflorus. The Gueltates Afilal constitute the most significant streams of the Ahaggar mountains (which rise to 3,000 metres altitiude) and, with Issakarassene, are among the best-known gueltates due to their location as a stop-over along the tourist track to Mount Assekrem. The nomadic Touaregs of Tamanrasset also use the gueltates to store water for domestic needs and as a watering site for their herds. The 20,000 local and tourist visits per year might become a threat if not regulated.

Administrative region: 
Tamanrasset

  • National legal designation: 
    • National Park - Parc National de l’Ahaggar
  • Last publication date: 
    09-05-2019

Downloads

Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS)

Additional reports and documents