Merzouga
Merzouga, a small community in southeastern Morocco, lies adjacent to the magnificent Erg Chebbi dunes, some of the Sahara's highest. It's roughly 35 km southeast of Rissani, 55 km from Erfoud, and about 50 km from the Algerian border. Nearby small settlements include Hassilabied, Tanamoust, Takoujt, Khamlia, and Tisserdmine. Rissani, at 41.9 km, is the nearest significant town.
Thousands of years ago, this very area was likely a lush jungle, a time when the Sahara Desert boasted rich plant life and bodies of water. Merzouga itself began as an unoccupied desert spring, evolving into a crucial stop for traders journeying to Timbuktu. It also became a spiritual destination for nomadic Ait Atta tribes and, eventually, a popular spot for travelers. During French colonial times, fortifications were erected by the French Foreign Legion following the Taflalet battles (1916-1932).
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