Atlas Mountains: Which African Countries Do They Cross?
The Atlas Mountains span approximately 2,500 km (1,550 mi) across three North African countries:
- Morocco — High Atlas (Toubkal 4,167 m), Middle Atlas, Anti-Atlas
- Algeria — Saharan Atlas, Tell Atlas, Aurès Mountains
- Tunisia — Dorsale (extension of Tell Atlas), Kroumirie Mountains
Range Breakdown
| Sub-range | Countries | Highest Peak |
|---|
| High Atlas | Morocco | Toubkal (4,167 m) |
| Middle Atlas | Morocco | Bou Naceur (3,340 m) |
| Anti-Atlas | Morocco | Jbel Sirwa (3,304 m) |
| Tell Atlas | Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia | Lalla Khedidja (2,308 m) |
| Saharan Atlas | Algeria | Djebel Aissa (2,236 m) |
| Aurès | Algeria, Tunisia | Chelia (2,328 m) |
Geologic Context
- Part of the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt
- Formed by Africa-Eurasia collision (ongoing)
- Separate Mediterranean from Sahara climates
- Water towers for region: major aquifers, seasonal rivers
Not In
Libya, Egypt, Mauritania, Mali, Niger—sometimes confused due to "Atlas" name in other ranges (e.g., Atlas Mountains of Antarctica, fictional).
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