<P> The ancient oasis town of Ghadames (pop: 7,000) in Libya is located by where the frontiers of Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya meet . The city is situated directly adjacent to the Grand Erg's southeast edge . Tuareg Berbers (a people sourced in the central Sahara) compose the majority in Ghadames . This oasis was known by ancient Egypt, and later by Carthage and by Rome, as Cydamus . A Libyan road from Tarabulus on the Mediterranean coast now leads to present - day Ghadames . The historic Saharan architecture found in its Old Town has received international recognition . </P> <P> In Algeria Oued Irara Airport at Hassi Messaoud (located in the erg) serves a few international flights and also national flights . Ouargla Airport (OGX) has limited international and national flights . North of the erg Guemar Airport, 20 km. from El Oued, has only national flights . In Libya Ghadames Airport schedules only national flights . In Tunisia Djerba--Zarzis Airport (DJE / DTTJ) serves international and national flights, it being over 100 km . north of the edge of the Grand Erg Oriental . </P>

The grand erg oriental is an example of a