According to the 1998 census it has a population of 49,793,[1] up from 40,228 in 1998,[2] and is the second largest town in the province after Djamaa.

[1] El M'Ghair lies southwest of Chott Felrhir, a large endorheic salt lake.

El M'Ghair has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh), with very hot summers and mild winters, and very little precipitation throughout the year.

El M'Ghair has a station on the Biskra-Touggourt railway line, which passes by the east side of the city.

The N3 highway, which also connects Biskra to the north with Touggourt to the south, also passes through the city on the west side.