The Tibesti, including Emi Koussi summit, seen from the International Space Station

For the current region of Chad, see Tibesti Region.

The Tibesti Mountains are a volcanic group of inactive volcanoes with one potentially active volcano in the central Sahara desert in the Bourkou-Ennedi-Tibesti Region of northern Chad. The northern slopes extend a short distance into southern Libya.

[edit] Geography and climate

The mountains are the largest and highest range in the Sahara. They are located in West Africa.^[1] The highest peak is Emi Koussi, 3,415 m. Other summits include Kegueur Terbi (3,376 m), Tarso Taro (3,325 m), the potentially active volcano Pic Tousside (3,265 m) and Soborom (3,100 m).^[2] While the high peaks themselves are all constituted of volcanic material, the mountains stand on broad uplifted area possibly caused by a mantle plume.

The range has a substantially wetter climate than the arid surrounding desert; annual rainfall is estimated at five inches (12 cm) in some of the highest areas of the mountains.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Flora and fauna

There are a number of vegetative and wildlife species in the Tibesti Mountains. In Chad there may as many as 50 endangered Painted Hunting Dogs, but some regard these relict populations in the Tibesti Mountains as extirpated, partially from Darfur refugee turmoil and other Sudan generated conflict.^[3]

[edit] Cultures

The mountains are known for their ancient cave paintings, mostly dating from the 5th to the 3rd millennium BC, and for the geysers and hot springs around Soboroum.

The area has long been home to the Toubou people which had trading relations with Carthage from the 500s BC. The main town in the area is Bardaï, while Zouar and Aouzou are smaller settlements.

[edit] See also

• Air of Niger

[edit] References

• A. Gourgaud and P.M. Vincent. 2004. Petrology of two continental alkaline intraplate series at Emi Koussi volcano, Tibesti, Chad. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 129(4): 261-290.
• Harry Hamilton Johnston. 1910. Britain across the seas: Africa: a history and description of the British Empire in Africa, published by National Society's Depository, 429 pages
• C. Michael Hogan. 2009. Painted Hunting Dog: Lycaon pictus, GlobalTwitcher.com, ed. N. Stromberg

[edit] Line notes

[edit] External links

• Tibesti
• Information on climbing, with map
• Information about the mountains, with images
• WWF report on the Tibesti region
• Photo gallery
• Bird life in the Tibesti Mountains
• Photo gallery
• Travel page with photos (in German)

Coordinates: 20°46′59″N 18°03′00″E / 20.783°N 18.050°E / 20.783; 18.050