El Oued (, ) is a Saharan province of Algeria (n° 39) dominated by Oued Souf. It was named after its eponymous capital. Notable towns include El Oued itself and El M'Ghair, Djamaa and Guemar. Geography Physical geography El Oued Province lies in the Sahara desert in northeast Algeria. The mostly uninhabited southern half of the province is covered by the Grand Erg Oriental, a vast region of uninterrupted sand dunes. The northern half of the province is a mixture of sandy desert with scarce vegetation, scattered oases, and salt lakes. The most notable oases are the Oued Souf region, upon which the capital El Oued and neighbouring towns are built, as well as oases located near the towns of El M'Ghair and Djamaa, both of which support extensive palm plantations. Chott Melrhir, a large endorheic salt lake, lies in the north-central part of the province, while Chott Felrhir is a smaller salt lake to its southwest, near El M'Ghair. These salt lakes, and the surrounding areas, lie as much as below sea level; nearby towns and villages including Hamraia, Méguibra, Dendouga and Aïn Cheikh are also below sea level. Climate El Oued Province experiences a hot desert climate. Winters are mild, with average temperatures around in January, but summers are hot with average temperatures around , average maxima around and the hottest days approaching . Precipitation is very low throughout the province, but somewhat more rain does fall in the north, particularly during the winter and adjacent months. Neighbouring districts El Oued Province is bordered to the northeast by Tébessa Province, to the north by Khenchela Province, to the northwest by Biskra Province, to the south and southwest by Ouargla Province, to the southeast by Tunisia's Tataouine Governorate, and to the east by Tunisia's Tozeur and Kebili Governorates. History The province was created from Biskra Province in 1984. Administrative divisions The province is made up of 10 districts, which are divided into 22 communes or municipalities. Districts Bayadha Debila El Oued Guemar Hassi Khelifa Magrane Mih Ouensa Reguiba Robbah Taleb Larbi Communes Bayadha Ben Guecha Debila Douar El Ma El Ogla El Oued Guemar Hamraia Hassani Abdelkrim Hassi Khelifa Kouinine Magrane Mih Ouensa Nakhla Oued El Alenda Ourmes Reguiba Robbah Sidi Aoun Taghzout Taleb Larbi Trifaoui References Provinces of Algeria States and territories established in 1984