What is the Adrar, and where is it located?

The Adrar is a highland natural and historical region situated within the Sahara Desert in northern Mauritania. The name Adrar originates from the Berber language and signifies "mountain."

What is the relationship between the Adrar natural region and the Adrar Region administrative division?

The administrative division of Mauritania known as the Adrar Region is named after the traditional natural and historical region of Adrar. This highlights the significance of the geographical area in the country's administrative structure.

Are there other places named Adrar, and how is this specific region distinguished?

Yes, there are other areas named Adrar within the Sahara Desert. To differentiate this particular region, it is sometimes referred to as Adrar Tamar.

What are the primary geographical characteristics of the Adrar Plateau?

The Adrar Plateau is characterized as an arid region featuring canyons, stony deserts known as regs, and sand dunes. It comprises a central massif that rises to over 700 meters in elevation east of Atar, near the Amojjar Pass, before gradually losing elevation and becoming integrated with dunes to the south and east.

Where is limited cultivation possible within the Adrar Plateau, and what supports it?

Limited cultivation in the Adrar Plateau is primarily possible in the gorges at lower elevations, such as in the Oued Seguellil. These areas support large palm groves due to a sufficiently high water table.

What is the Oued el Abiod, and what is found along it?

The Oued el Abiod, also known as the 'White Valley,' is a fault line filled with dunes. Numerous small settlements and palm groves are located along this feature.

What is the Guelb Aouelloul crater, and who studied it?

The Guelb Aouelloul crater is an impact crater that is approximately 3.1 million years old. It was studied by Théodore Monod, a notable scholar of the Sahara.

What are the main human settlements in the Adrar region?

The Adrar region has a small human population, with the town of Atar serving as its central hub. Other historically significant towns include Ouadane and Chinguetti.

What was the historical importance of Ouadane?

Ouadane, located on the eastern edge of the Adrar, was historically an important center for caravan trade and gold trading.

What evidence exists for early human settlement in the Adrar region?

The Adrar region shows evidence of settlement dating back to the Neolithic era. This is supported by findings such as cave and rock paintings, like those found at Agrour Amogjar.

What archaeological features are preserved in the Adrar due to aridification?

The ongoing aridification in the region has helped preserve much of the archaeology. Notable preserved features include several stone circles, such as the Atar Stone Circle, and the later town of Azougui.

What historical migration occurred from the Adrar Plateau starting in the mid-17th century?

Beginning in the mid-17th century, migrants from the Adrar Plateau moved into the Tagant Plateau. This migration resulted in the displacement of the native population in the Tagant region.

What does the image depicting a henna design show?

The image shows a henna design applied to the hand of a girl from the Adrar region, illustrating a cultural practice within the area.

What does the image titled Adrar sands depict?

The image labeled Adrar sands illustrates a sandy area located to the west of the town of Chinguetti.

What is represented by the image identified as Adrar-Scarecrows?

The image labeled Adrar-Scarecrows depicts a stone cairn, which is a man-made pile of stones, often used as a landmark or memorial.

What are colocynths, and where are they found in the Adrar?

Colocynths, identified by the scientific name Citrullus colocynthis, are plants found in the Adrar desert region, as shown in one of the provided images.

What is shown in the image taken at the airport of Atar?

The image taken at the airport of Atar, the main town of the Adrar, shows a postbox, indicating the presence of postal services in the area.

What does the image from Apollo 9 show regarding the Adrar Plateau?

The image from Apollo 9 provides an oblique view of the Adrar Plateau, showcasing its geographical features from orbit.

What is the elevation of the Adrar Plateau?

The Adrar Plateau reaches an elevation of 340 meters, which is equivalent to 1,120 feet.

What is the native name for Adrar, and what does it mean?

The native name for Adrar is Hadhbat Adrar, written in Arabic script. The word Adrar itself, originating from Berber languages, means 'mountain'.

What type of desert terrain is specifically mentioned in relation to the Adrar?

The Adrar Plateau is known for its regs, which are a type of stony desert terrain.

Which historical towns in the Adrar were recognized by UNESCO?

The ancient towns of Ouadane and Chinguetti in the Adrar region are recognized by UNESCO, along with Tichitt and Oualata, under the designation 'Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata'.

What is the approximate age of the Guelb Aouelloul crater?

The Guelb Aouelloul crater is estimated to be 3.1 million years old.

What is the approximate diameter of the Richat Structure?

The Richat Structure has a diameter of approximately 40 kilometers.

What are the key geographical features mentioned in the Adrar Plateau?

The key geographical features of the Adrar Plateau include gorges, regs (stony deserts), sand dunes, a central massif, and the Oued el Abiod (White Valley).

What is the significance of Atar in the Adrar region?

Atar is the main town and the center of the small human population within the Adrar region.

What historical period is associated with early archaeological evidence in the Adrar?

The Neolithic era is associated with early archaeological evidence in the Adrar, including cave and rock paintings.

Besides Atar, Ouadane, and Chinguetti, what other historical towns are mentioned in relation to the Adrar's UNESCO designation?

Besides Ouadane and Chinguetti, the historical towns of Tichitt and Oualata are also mentioned in relation to the UNESCO designation for the region's ancient Ksour (fortified villages).

What is the meaning of the Berber word Adrar?

The Berber word Adrar translates to 'mountain'.

What kind of natural formations are found in the Adrar Plateau besides dunes?

Besides sand dunes, the Adrar Plateau is characterized by canyons and regs, which are stony desert areas.

What is the approximate height of the Adrar massif east of Atar?

The Adrar massif east of Atar rises to over 700 meters (approximately 2,297 feet) above sea level.

What is the purpose of the external links provided for the Adrar Plateau?

The external links provide additional resources for information on the Adrar Plateau, including its UNESCO World Heritage status, travel information from Lonely Planet, and a map of the region.

What is the significance of the Oued Seguellil mentioned in the text?

Oued Seguellil is an example of a gorge in the Adrar where limited cultivation is possible due to a high water table, supporting large palm groves.

Adrar Plateau Wiki: Adrar Plateau: A Saharan Jewel of Stone and History

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Geography

An Arid Highland Landscape

The Adrar is a highland natural and historical region situated within the Sahara Desert in northern Mauritania. It is characterized as an arid plateau featuring prominent gorges, extensive regs (stony deserts), and significant sand dunes. Structurally, it comprises a low central massif that ascends to elevations exceeding 700 meters (2,297 feet) above sea level, particularly east of Atar near the Amojjar Pass.

Limited Habitation and Oases

Cultivation is restricted to the gorges at lower elevations, such as Oued Seguellil, where a sufficiently high water table supports substantial palm groves. The Oued el Abiod, often referred to as the 'White Valley', is a fault line filled with dunes, along which numerous small settlements and palm groves are established.

Notable Geological Formations

Distinctive geological features mark the Adrar region. These include the Guelb Aouelloul crater, an impact structure dating back 3.1 million years, which was notably studied by Th\u00e9odore Monod. Further east, beyond Ouadane, lies the remarkable Richat Structure. This is an uplifted and heavily eroded dome of strata, approximately 40 kilometers in diameter, whose concentric rings bear a striking resemblance to an impact crater when viewed from orbit.

Population Centers

The Adrar region supports a modest human population, with its primary center being the town of Atar. The historically significant town of Ouadane, once a vital caravan and gold-trading hub, is located towards the eastern periphery of the Adrar. Chinguetti is another key historical settlement within this region.

History

Ancient Origins

Evidence suggests the Adrar was inhabited during the Neolithic era. This is supported by cave and rock paintings discovered in the area, such as those found at Agrour Amogjar. The subsequent aridification of the region has preserved much of the archaeological record, including several notable stone circles, like the Atar Stone Circle, and the later settlement of Azougui.

Migrations and Settlements

In the mid-17th century, a significant demographic shift occurred when migrants originating from the Adrar Plateau relocated to the Tagant Plateau. This movement resulted in the displacement of the indigenous population in that area.

External Information

Cultural Heritage Sites

The region includes ancient Ksour (fortified villages) such as Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt, and Oualata, recognized for their historical significance.

Travel and Maps

Resources are available for travel information regarding the Adrar region and detailed maps of the area.

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References

James L. A. Webb, Desert Frontier: Ecological and Economic Change Along the Western Sahel, p.50.

A full list of references for this article are available at the Adrar Plateau Wikipedia page

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This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. The content is derived from a snapshot of publicly available data and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or current.

This is not professional advice. The information provided herein is not a substitute for expert consultation in geography, history, or geology. Always consult authoritative sources and qualified professionals for specific inquiries or research needs.

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Adrar Plateau

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Geography ⛰️

🏜️ An Arid Highland Landscape

💧 Limited Habitation and Oases

🌍 Notable Geological Formations

🏘️ Population Centers

History 📜

🏺 Ancient Origins

🚶 Migrations and Settlements

External Information 🔗

🏛️ Cultural Heritage Sites

🗺️ Travel and Maps

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Geography

An Arid Highland Landscape

Limited Habitation and Oases

Notable Geological Formations

Population Centers

History

Ancient Origins

Migrations and Settlements

External Information

Cultural Heritage Sites

Travel and Maps

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice