Sahara's Architectural Oasis

Described by UNESCO and the Hammond World Atlas (6th edition, 2010) as a "Pearl of the [Sahara] Desert," the historic city of Ghadamès in western LIBYA features gleaming and plastered walls, towers, and residential and commercial buildings. These structures helped form the setting for trade and travel along a vital trans-Saharan caravan route. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (↗) in 1986, Ghadamès is situated near the tri-state border between southeastern Algeria, Tunisia's southern point, and northwestern Libya. Ghademès is one of five Libyan UNESCO Heritage Sites threatened due to armed conflicts throughout Libya and in the vicinity of these significant places, according to UNESCO.