oasis town, west-central Algeria. It lies on the western edge of the Grand Erg (sand dunes) Occidental. The Wadi Saoura divides the stony desert and the sand dunes to the east and south. Beni Abbès is a small town of roofed streets that are so dark that torches are often needed during the day. A small fort dominates the date-palm groves that extend along the valley of the Saoura for 200 miles (320 km). A Saharan museum and a centre for Saharan research are in the town. Pop. (latest est.) mun., 6,469.