Tindouf Province
Tindouf Province is the westernmost region of Algeria. Its capital is Tindouf. The province covers about 159,000 square kilometers, making it one of the largest in the country, and it sits in a harsh desert landscape with only a few oases.
Official population was about 58,193 in 2008, but many Sahrawi refugees live in camps nearby, so the real number could be much higher—around 160,000 people when the camps are counted.
The area is rich in minerals, especially iron ore in the Gara Djebilet region near the border with Mauritania. Ore mining and other mineral work are key parts of the local economy, along with potential future energy projects like wind power and other renewables.
Historically, the region was home to nomadic tribes. It was rebuilt in 1852, destroyed in 1895, and later came under French control in 1934. After Algeria’s independence, Morocco claimed the area, leading to border tensions and the 1963 Sand War. In 1972, Morocco and Algeria agreed to recognize the border in exchange for joint exploitation of the iron ore. Since 1975-76, Sahrawi refugees from Western Sahara have lived in camps around Tindouf, with the Polisario Front running many of the camps south of the city.
Administratively, Tindouf Province was created in 1984 from Béchar Province. It has one district (daïra) called Tindouf, which is divided into two municipalities: Tindouf and Oum El Assel.
The province hosts Algerian military bases near the Moroccan border and sits at a strategic crossroads connecting central and coastal Algeria with Morocco, Mauritania, and Western Sahara. There are ongoing road and railway projects, including a plan to link Tindouf with Bechar.
Tindouf also has strong potential for solar, wind, and other renewable energy to help meet Algeria’s growing electricity needs.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 16:06 (CET).