Ouargla or Warqla Arabic: ولاية ورقلة is a province (wilaya) in eastern Algeria. Its capital is Ouargla. Other localities include Touggourt, and Hassi Messaoud. It contains the Issaouane Erg desert.
History
In the past Ouargla was the center of trading of gold and slaves, as well as being an important center of Ibadi Islam. However, the Ibadis have left for the M’zab valley.
Administrative divisions
The province is divided into 10 districts (daïras), which are further divided into 21 communes or municipalities.
Districts
- El Borma
- El Hadjira
- Hassi Messaoud
- Mégarine
- N’Goussa
- Ouargla
- Sidi Khouiled
- Taïbet
- Témacine
- Touggourt
Communes
- Ain Beida
- Balidat Ameur
- Benaceur
- El Allia
- El Borma
- El Hadjira
- Hassi Ben Abdellah
- Hassi Messaoud
- Mégarine
- M’Naguer
- Nezla
- N’Goussa
- Ouargla
- Rouissat
- Sidi Khouiled
- Sidi Slimane
- Taïbet
- Témacine
- Tebesbest
- Touggourt
- Zaouia El Abidia
Geology
The region lies within the Algerian Triassic Sedimentary basin containing numerous oil and gas fields, including the Alrar gas field. Production is from Triassic sandstones with Andesitic seals and the Gothlandian shale as a source rock. Major fields include the Hassi R’Mel gas field, Haoud-Berkaolu, Ben-Kahla, and the Guellala.