- Ghardaïa
Infobox Algerian Municipality
map1 = DZ-47.svg
map2 = DZ-4701.svg
name1 = Ghardaïa
name2 = غرداية
code = 4701
postal = 47000
province = Ghardaïa
note1 = (seat)
district = Ghardaïa
note2 = (coextensive)
seats = 15
president =
alt1 = 572
alt2 = 1879
area1 = 590
area2 = 228
population = 104 645
year = 2005
density1 = 117
density2 = 459
photo =
caption = Aerial view of Ghardaïa|Infobox World Heritage Site
WHS = M'zab Valley
State Party = ALG
Type = Cultural
Criteria = ii, iii, v
ID = 188
Region =Arab States
Year = 1982
Session = 6th
Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/188Ghardaïa ( estimate).
Culture
It is the traditional heart of the
M'zab valley, home of theIbadi Muslim sect in Algeria, and has preserved its original medieval architecture remarkably well; the valley of which it forms a part is an officialWorld Heritage Site . Ghardaia is renowned for its coarse goat hair carpets, generally with simple geometric patterns in black and white.Ghardaïa and its Rugs: The area of the M’zab known since the stone age as attests the traces and, sculptures rupestral found on the spot, various civilisations concentrated become vestiges today.Ghardaia, known under the name of the pearl of the oases is regarded as one of the most important tourist areas in Algeria and more particularly in the sahara (south).Five valleys of the M’zabs are found, all enclosed by walls and gates in the middle of the Algerian desert, where nobody enters or leaves without guide or authorization. The carpet of M’Zab has a very beautiful love story behind. The Tapestry offered by the bride to her future husband for their engagement, asking him, for her and their hearth, the wedding presents through the figurative drawings which she wove, which is called the belt of the bride. Each symbol has a well defined representation. Only one carpet can take up to six months to complete considering its complexity, and the message transmitted through its patterns carefully chosen, which all have an Amazigh inspiration (Berber). The colors used are generally natural mineral or plant origin. The most used colours are five: White, black, red, yellow and green. In addition, vivid and modern colours and shades come to enrich the range of hue range used as well at the background and the patterns. The modern colours of the Rugs like blue, beige-brown natural colours are obtained mixing unbleached and brown wools at the time of carding.
Transportation
It is served by
Noumérat - Moufdi Zakaria Airport (or simply "Ghardaïaairport ").ee also
* [http://whc.unesco.org/whreview/article2.html UNESCO World Heritage Review]
2008 floodings
The town was hit by flooding in october 2008 due to heavy rains [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7648355.stm]
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