The oasis town is watered by an underground river, hence its name is El Oued which enables date palm cultivation and the rare use (for the desert) of brick construction for housing.

[2] El Oued is located 400 miles (640 km) south east of Algiers (the capital city of Algeria), near the Tunisian border.

[1] In the 11th century, the Fatimids sent Banu Hilal to the Tripolitania, Tunisia and Constantine areas to fight against the Zirids.

The inhabitants belong to Teroud tribe (Arabic: بنو طرود) living in and near Oued Souf area.

El Oued lies about 20 kilometres (12 mi) south of Guemar Airport.