Grand Erg Oriental only national flights. In Libya Ghadames Airport schedules only national flights. In Tunisia Djerba–Zarzis Airport (DJE/DTTJ) serves international and national flights, it being over 100 km. north of the edge of the "Grand Erg Oriental". Grand Erg Oriental The Grand Erg Oriental (English: 'Great Eastern Sand Sea') is a large "erg" or "field of sand dunes" in the Sahara Desert. Situated for the most part in Saharan lowlands of northeast Algeria, the Grand Erg Oriental covers an area some 600 km wide by 200 km north to south. The erg's northeastern edge spills over into neighbouring Tunisia. The Grand Erg
Grand Erg Oriental northern oasis on a Trans-Saharan trade route. South of Wargla on this road, lies Hassi Messaoud ["blessed well"], which is located within the "Grand Erg". Until recently Hassi Messaoud was a small Saharan village, but has grown substantially on account of the local discovery of oil in 1956. An oil refinery has since been built, and the city (current population estimated at 60,000) is now served by an international airport. A desert road going east from Hassi Messaoud continues through the "Grand Erg", passing by a well named "Bordj Sif Fatima" ["Fatima's River Tower" perhaps], on its way to the