Three iconic Algerian national parks—Tassili n’Ajjer, Ghoufi, and Djurdjura—have been immortalised on Mars, thanks to a proposal by Algerian physicist Noureddine Melikechi, a member of the Mars probe mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Melikechi, who is based in the United States, explained that the naming honours his homeland while highlighting the importance of preserving Earth’s fragile ecosystems.
“Our planet is fragile, and this is a signal to the world to take care of our national parks, whether in Algeria or elsewhere,” Melikechi told AFP.
The visual resemblance between the Martian terrain and the selected Algerian sites also inspired the choice. Tassili n’Ajjer, a UNESCO-listed plateau in the Sahara Desert famed for its prehistoric art, was the first to come to mind.
“Every time I see pictures of Mars, they remind me of Tassili n’Ajjer, and now every time I see Tassili n’Ajjer, it reminds me of Mars,” said Melikechi, who teaches at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
The ancient art in Tassili, featuring depictions of single-eyed and horned figures, has often been described as otherworldly. French archaeologist Henri Lhote even referred to some as “great Martian” deities in his 1958 book The Search for the Tassili Frescoes.
The second namesake, Ghoufi canyon, is a UNESCO-listed site in eastern Algeria with cliffside dwellings carved into the Aures Mountains. Its rugged landscape is a testament to human perseverance.
The third site, Djurdjura, is a snowy mountain range east of Algiers. While it bears little resemblance to Mars, its selection was inspired by its rich natural habitats.
The naming occurred as NASA’s Perseverance rover explored uncharted Martian terrain, divided into quadrants requiring names. Melikechi proposed the Algerian parks, while others suggested global landmarks. A NASA team reviewed and finalised the selections.
The announcement, made earlier this month, was celebrated in Algeria. Culture Minister Zouhir Ballalou called it a historic and global recognition of the country’s landscapes.
Melikechi hopes the recognition will boost Algeria’s efforts to attract tourists, particularly to the Sahara region. Last year, the country welcomed 2.5 million tourists, its highest in two decades.
