states: [algeria]
category: cultural
year: 1982
location: Wilaya (province) of Ghardaïa
region: Arab States
latitude/longitude: 32.4833300000, 3.6833300000
M’Zab Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Algeria, recognized in 1982, is a 10th-century oasis settlement in the Sahara, founded by the Ibadi Muslim sect. Its five fortified towns, or ksour, feature palm grove irrigation, mudbrick architecture, and a minimalist mosque design, reflecting a unique communal lifestyle. This well-preserved site showcases Algeria’s cultural heritage, blending human ingenuity with a harsh desert environment in a timeless urban landscape.
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