Grand Erg Oriental small but ancient settlement of Ghadames at the Libyan frontier. Another and better road from Hassi Messaoud goes south, also crossing the grand erg where it passes a well called "Hassi Tartrat", before reaching the erg's far side. Further south lies the Ahaggar mountains. The cities of Wargla and Touggourt lie outside the western limits of the erg. Nearby, within the accepted boundaries of the "Grand Erg Oriental", the landscape is described as being "practically free from [sand] dunes" evidently due to strong, persistent winds. Petroleum and other hydrocarbons have been extracted in Algeria, from areas in and surrounding the
Erg Ferradj elementary schools, with 39 classrooms including 27 in use. There are a total of 1,096 school students. 2.8% of the population has a tertiary education, and another 14.9% has competed secondary education. The overall literacy rate is 71.3%, and is 77.2% among males and 65.3% among females. Erg Ferradj has 2 polyclinics and 2 room care facilities; residents must travel to Abadla or Méchraâ Houari Boumédienne for further medical treatment. Erg Ferradj has 3 operational mosques, with another 1 under construction. The commune is composed of three localities: Erg Ferradj Erg Ferradj () is a town and commune in Abadla