In Guezzam Explained

In Guezzam
Native Name:عين قزام / Gezzam
Native Name Lang:ar
Type:Town and commune
Pushpin Map:Algeria
Pushpin Mapsize:300
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of In Guezzam within Algeria
Coordinates:19.5686°N 5.7722°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Algeria
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:In Guezzam
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:In Guezzam (coextensive)
Seat Type:District seat
Leader Title:PMA Seats
Leader Name:7
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Total Km2:46813
Elevation M:400
Population Total:7045
Population As Of:2008
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:CET
Utc Offset1:+01
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Postal Code:11130
Blank Name Sec1:ONS code
Blank Info Sec1:1104

In Guezzam (Arabic: عين قزام, lit. springs of Guezzam; Berber spelling: Gezzam) is a town and commune that is the capital of In Guezzam Province, Algeria, on the border with Niger. Until 26 November 2019, it was a part of the Tamanrasset Province.[1] The border town on the Niger side is Assamaka. According to the 2008 census it had a population of 7,045,[2] up from 4,938 in 1998,[3] with an annual growth rate of 3.7%, the second highest in the Tamanrasset province's 2008 boundaries.[2]

History

The commune of In Guezzam was established on 19 December 1984.[4] The district was established in 1986. On 18 December 2019 it became a provincial capital of the new In Guezzam Province. -Population history

In Guezzam's population growth since 1977:
YearPopulationSource
1977 1 195
1987 2 189
1998 4 938
2008 (census) 7,045

Geography

In Guezzam lies in the barren Tanezrouft region of far southern Algeria. The landscape is sandy, with frequent sand dunes interspersed with sandstone outcrops. As the town is located in the southern extremity of the nation, the Gulf of Guinea is closer to it than the Mediterranean coast in the north. The distance from In Guezzam to 11 African capital cities is shorter as the crow flies than the distance to Algiers.

Climate

In Guezzam has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh), with long, extremely hot summers and short, very warm winters. Despite an extremely dry climate, some occasional rainfall occur during the months of August and September due to the influence of the far northern edge of the West African Monsoon, unlike most of the Algerian Desert. Averages high temperatures soar during the height of the long summer season, with daytime highs always over 40 °C (104 °F) during nearly 4 months and even above 45 °C (113 °F).

Transportation

In Guezzam lies on the Trans-Sahara Highway, at the end of the N1 Algerian national highway, which leads north to Tamanrasset and eventually Algiers. The road continues southeast to Arlit in Niger. In Guezzam is also served by In Guezzam Airport, which is, however, closed for public usage.[5]

Education

1.7% of the population has a tertiary education (the equal lowest rate in the province), and another 4.9% has completed secondary education.[6] The overall literacy rate is 39.4%, and is 50.7% among males and 29.1% among females; all three rates are the lowest in the province.[7]

Localities

The commune is composed of six localities:[8]

Notes and References

  1. News: 10 New Wilayas – El Khabar . 2 December 2019 . 26 November 2019 . El Khabar . ar.
  2. Web site: Population: Wilaya de Tamanrasset . Office National des Statistiques Algérie . 30 May 2013 . fr . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111113174756/http://www.ons.dz/collections/w11_p1.pdf . 13 November 2011 .
  3. Web site: Algeria Communes. Statoids. 8 March 2013.
  4. [Journal officiel]
  5. Web site: In Guezzam Airport. OurAirports. 11 June 2013.
  6. Web site: Structure relative de la population résidente des ménages ordinaires et collectifs âgée de 6 ans et plus selon le niveau d'instruction et la commune de résidence. . Office National des Statistiques Algérie . 30 May 2013 . fr . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111113184736/http://www.ons.dz/collections/w11_p6.pdf . 13 November 2011 .
  7. Web site: Taux d'analphabétisme et taux d'alphabétisation de la population âgée de 15 ans et plus, selon le sexe et la commune de résidence . . Office National des Statistiques Algérie . 30 May 2013 . fr . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111113192758/http://www.ons.dz/collections/w11_p10.pdf . 13 November 2011 .
  8. Web site: Décret n° 84–365, fixant la composition, la consistance et les limites territoriale des communes. Wilaya de Tamanghasset . Journal officiel de la République Algérienne . 2 March 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150505040821/http://www.joradp.dz/JO8499/1984/067/FP1496.pdf . 5 May 2015 . 1496 . fr . 19 December 1984 . dead .