Laghouat (English: Laghwat French: Laghouat Arabic: الأغواط‎) is the capital city of the Laghouat Province, Algeria, 400 km south of the Algerian capital Algiers. As of 2005, the population of the city was 126,291 inhabitants. Nearby, in Hassi R'Mel, there is the largest natural gas reserve in Africa.The city was founded in the 11th century. In 1852, the French captured the city.