Théniet El Had National Park
Inside a forest within the park
Highest point
Peak	Ras el Braret
Elevation	1,787 m (5,863 ft)
Geography
Country	Algeria
IUCN category II (national park)
EL MEDDAD National Park in Algeria
Location	Tissemsilt Province, Algeria
Nearest city	Théniet El Haâd
Coordinates	35°40′N 01°49′E / 35.667°N 1.817°E / 35.667; 1.817
Area	36.16 km2 (13.96 sq mi)
Established	1983 (Protected from 1929)

The Théniet El Had National Park is one of the 10 national parks of Algeria. It is located in Tissemsilt Province, named after Théniet El Haâd, a town near this park.

Description

It has several forests, and it is located in the foothills of the highest peak (1.985 meter/ 6.512 feet high) of the Ouarsenis mountain chain in the Tell Atlas; home to a diversified flora and fauna. The park is a popular hiking destination for many Algerians.

Seventeen species of mammals live in the park, nine of which are protected, also 27 bird species live here, of which 60% are actively breeding here.^[1]

Vegetation

Vegetation of the Park

The forested sector occupies roughly 3/4 of the park area, while the rest is made up of small ground-level plants. Three distinct layers can be distinguished from each other:^[2]

• Trees:
  • Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica): On the southern side of the park, a mixture of both modern and ancient cedars is present, with 10 to 20% being the Atlas cedar.
  • Cork oak (Quercus suber).
  • Pine.
• Trees that are between 2 meters and 7 meters tall in the layer are a mix of species:
  • Holm oak (Quercus ilex) can be found on the northern side.
  • Cade (Juniperus oxycedrus) can be found on the southern side.
  • Gall oak (Quercus lusitanica) can also be found on the southern side.
• Grass & flowers:
  • Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum).
  • Geranium atlanticum.
  • Viola.
  • Common ivy (Hedera helix).
  • Chrysanthemum.

Gallery

References

External links

• (in French) Official Website
• (in French) Official website
• Park data on UNEP-WPMC