For the first time, perhaps, we will learn about the largest rivers and lakes of Algeria at geography lessons in high school. Agree, it often happens that, having gathered general information from a successfully compiled and illustrated textbook, we subsequently begin to turn over the mountains of specialized literature to get acquainted with our own little discovery in more detail.
It seems that the rivers and lakes of Algeria, photos of which are provided not only in textbooks, but also in many popular science journals, cannot but attract attention with their unusual and mysterious nature. And the thing is not even that this country is far enough away from our usual places of residence or vacation - there is some special mystery in that area.
This article will not only list the largest rivers and lakes of Algeria, the reader will get acquainted with their characteristic features and properties that distinguish them from any other corner of the world's oceans.
Section 1. General Information
In general, one cannot fail to note one of the most important nuance. Almost all of the largest rivers and lakes of Algeria are classified as so-called temporary streams, i.e. they are filled exclusively during the rainy season. But when the aforementioned period comes to an end, all the rivers dry up, but the lakes become salt marshes with a crust up to 60 cm in thickness.
The main waterways of this mysterious state can be considered Sheliff, Bowdow, Bowselam, Isser, Jedi, Majerda, Mina, Rkhiou, Rhumel, Tafina and some others.
Note that those rivers that flow along the north of this African country, as a rule, flow into the Mediterranean Sea. As for everyone else, they flow towards the Sahara, where, in the end, they get lost.
By the way, dams, hydroelectric power stations and reservoirs are built on many rivers of Algeria. Fresh water from various reservoirs is used for irrigation of more than a hundred thousand hectares of land, as well as supplying people with drinking water.
Section 2. The nature and economic importance of Sheliff
If we consider such an important topic in many respects as the rivers and lakes of Algeria, we cannot but mention Sheliff, which is rightly considered the longest waterway in the state. Its length is 725 km, it finally flows into the Mediterranean Sea.
It is estimated that the total area of the river basin. Sheliff is 55 thousand km². This river crosses the Houts plateau, however, in this place it is more a kind of chain of swamps and very small mud reservoirs. By the way, it is here that the river loses a predominant part of its flow.
However, a little further, a tributary of the Wadi Nahr-Oussel flows into it, after which Sheliff becomes more full-flowing, sharply turns and enters the gorge in Tell Atlas. After a few more kilometers it follows to the west and then flows parallel to the Mediterranean coast in the valley.
Sheliff is widely used for the economic needs of the state. To date, several hydroelectric power stations have been built on this large river at once, water is actively used for irrigation. Agricultural crops are superbly developed in the valley fed by its waters, and people plant mainly citrus fruits, grapes, and cotton.
Section 3. What do we know about Jedi?
The Jedi River is a fairly large reservoir of Sahara, its length is 480 km. It begins at an altitude of 1400 m in the Sahara Atlas, and then all the time flows from west to east.
Jedi flows into the salt lake Chott-Melgir. By the way, not everyone knows that the place where this river flows into the lake is located in the lowest area of the state, at around 40 m below sea level.
The river bed mainly consists of gypsum and mud, in some places it reaches several kilometers in width. But it should be noted that this river is rarely full-flowing. The soil along the banks of the Jedi is characterized by the presence of a high concentration of salt, therefore, of course, there is no special vegetation here.
The river flows near the cities of Laghouat and Sidi Khaled, providing a total population of more than 165 thousand people. clean drinking water.
Section 4. Lake Chott Melgir
The largest rivers and lakes of Algeria are actually amazing and unique. So, one cannot but mention the Chott-Melgir, which is rightfully considered the largest lake in the country. This pond has a salty nature and in the summer, as a rule, dries up, turning into a salt marsh.
This closed lake is located in the west, with an area of 6, 700 km² and a width of 131 km. During the winter rains, Chott Melgir is well filled with water flowing directly from the Ores mountains. This is greatly facilitated by the location of the lake. The thing is that it is located 26 meters below sea level.
Note that in accordance with the Ramsar Convention, the Cott-Melgir is under protection. Every year, hundreds of tourists come to this amazing place to enjoy such an unusual natural site.
