Arches in Merzouga Approximately 9,000 to 10,000 years ago, the region was likely a tropical jungle, coinciding with a period when the
Sahara Desert was characterized by abundant vegetation and
lakes. Merzouga was an uninhabited
oasis that later became a transit point for merchants heading to
Timbuktu. It also became a pilgrimage destination for the nomads of the
Ait Atta tribes and eventually a tourist destination. During
French colonial rule, fortifications were built by troops of the
French Foreign Legion after the
battles of Taflalet, which occurred between 1916 and 1932. On 26 May 2006, during the night, Merzouga experienced
flash floods that caused severe damage to buildings, cars, and the traditional irrigation system. The flood left 1,200 people displaced and three dead. Animals also died in their collapsed stables. "The
flood damages were significant, with the destruction of 140 houses and hotels, deterioration of Taouz– Merzouga road and of the ONEP (National Agency for drinking water and sanitation) water supply pipe of Merzouga villages " Due to climate change, extreme weather events of flooding have been more commonplace. In 2024, the seasonal Yasmina Lake re-formed. ==Gallery==