Batna, Algeria

Batna (Arabic: باتنة‎) is the main city of Batna Province, Algeria. With a population of 290,645 (2008 census)[1] it is the fifth largest city in Algeria. It is also one of the principal cities of the Chaoui area and is considered the capital of the Aures.

Batna

باتنة
City
City of Batna
Overview of Batna
Seal
Location of Batna, Algeria within Batna Province
Batna
Location of Batna within Algeria
Coordinates: 35°33′N 6°10′E
Country Algeria
ProvinceBatna
DistrictBatna District
Government
 • PMA Seats33
Area
 • Total85 km2 (33 sq mi)
Elevation
1,048 m (3,438 ft)
Population
 (2008)
 • Total290,645[1]
Time zoneUTC+01 (CET)
Postal code
05000
Area code(s)(+213) 033
Vehicle registration05
ONS code0501
ClimateBSk

History
See also: fr:Chronologie de la ville de Batna

The first solid foundations (a military encampment) of the city were erected by a French garrison in 1844, with a strategic mission to create a permanently guarded access point for the main Sahara road.

Batna's geographical location offers a natural break through the Atlas Mountains. The Romans did not detect this passage in their early invasion phase.

The ancient cities of Timgad and Lambese, built around the first century CE, are living examples of the importance that the Romans gave to commercial control over the region.

Signature and proclamation of the Algerian revolution Batna
The Municipal People's Assembly
Martyrs' Square of Batna

The inhabitants of the city revolted against the French authorities at the beginning of colonization. Thereafter they organized the Algerian revolution against French colonialism.

The first Batneens adhered to Messali Hadj (PPP), as did the Ulemas Ben Badis and the Movement for the Triumph of Democratic Freedoms (MTLD), and together they organized the great historic summit of 22, June 25, 1954.

The Algerian revolution started at Batna under the chairmanship of Batnéen Mustapha Benboulaïd (FLN). Batna was the first military region of Algeria (zone 1) (1954–1962). On the night of November 1, 1954, the barracks of the city of Batna were attacked by the mujahedeen. Batna was the command headquarters of the Algerian revolution until independence.[2]

Bombing
Main article: 2007 Batna bombing

On September 6, 2007, Batna saw a massive Al-Qaeda suicide bombing. The bombing, which took place shortly before the visit of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, resulted in approximately 15–20[3][4][5] deaths and 107[6] injuries as the bomber detonated his device among a crowd waiting to see the President,[4] who was at the end of a three-day tour of eastern Algeria.[7] The bombings were condemned by the UN Security Council.[8]

Historical population
YearPopulation[9]
19016,900
192610,300
193113,600
193615,500
194821,700
195426,400
196654,900
1974115,100
1977102,800
1987181,600
1998246,800

Climate
Snow in Batna

Located in the Aurès Mountains (part of the Atlas Mountains), at 1,048 metres (3,438 ft) above sea level, Batna has a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk) with Mediterranean influences and an average annual precipitation of 326 millimetres (12.8 in). Summers are moderately hot (by Saharan standards) and dry and winters are chilly and wetter, with the possibility of snowfall.

Climate data for Batna
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 9.8
(49.6)		 11.2
(52.2)		 13.7
(56.7)		 17.7
(63.9)		 22.8
(73.0)		 29.1
(84.4)		 33.0
(91.4)		 31.9
(89.4)		 26.9
(80.4)		 20.3
(68.5)		 14.2
(57.6)		 10.8
(51.4)		 20.1
(68.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 5.3
(41.5)		 6.3
(43.3)		 8.2
(46.8)		 11.6
(52.9)		 16.0
(60.8)		 21.7
(71.1)		 24.9
(76.8)		 24.3
(75.7)		 20.1
(68.2)		 14.5
(58.1)		 9.1
(48.4)		 6.2
(43.2)		 14.0
(57.2)
Average low °C (°F) 0.7
(33.3)		 1.4
(34.5)		 2.7
(36.9)		 5.4
(41.7)		 9.2
(48.6)		 14.2
(57.6)		 16.8
(62.2)		 16.7
(62.1)		 13.3
(55.9)		 8.6
(47.5)		 3.9
(39.0)		 1.7
(35.1)		 7.9
(46.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 24.9
(0.98)		 29.3
(1.15)		 38.0
(1.50)		 31.7
(1.25)		 32.0
(1.26)		 20.1
(0.79)		 7.5
(0.30)		 17.7
(0.70)		 37.3
(1.47)		 27.3
(1.07)		 31.7
(1.25)		 28.7
(1.13)		 326.2
(12.85)
Source: NOAA (1971–1990)[10]

Entertainment
Algerian national team fans at the 2014 World Cup

Many entertainment resorts are spread across the town. Regarding sports activities the most important destinations are the 1st November Stadium (Stade du premier Novembre), and Seffouhi Stadium, which is used mainly for soccer clubs and festivals (CAB & MSPB are the biggest teams in the city), in addition to the Scholar Stadium. For cultural activities there is the Théâtre régional de Batna, and also a municipal Cultural House, which is located behind the Prefecture and covers many cultural and educational activities, in addition to the Islamic Cultural Center in the heart of the city and the Youth House in Cite Ennaser. For children, an attraction park is located in Kechida, which is approximately a ten-minute drive from the downtown area.

Dining and nightlife

With regard to night life, due to some religious and cultural limitations, there are almost no night clubs in the city. However, the existing nightlife is concentrated in the heart of the city, around Les allées Benboulaïd and "STAND" areas, especially during summer break. Downtown Batna has plenty of cafés, traditional restaurants (Chouwaya) or GARGOUTTIER, Pizzerias, French and oriental bakeries, and a limited number of luxury restaurants. Many festivities take place in allées Ben Boulaïd area, mainly in the season of International Timgad Festival (usually between 4–15 July every year). The most attractive exciting places surrounding the city are, Lambese (also called Lambaesis), Timgad, Ghoufi, Chelaalaa, and Belezma National Park.

Administration

Districts and urban areas of the city
Districts of the city Batna
Town centre
Zone industrielle batna
Kechida
Bouakal
Route de Tazoult
Bouzourane
Zone militaire
Parc à fourrage

Notable residents

References
  1. "Population: Batna Wilaya" (PDF) (in French). Office National des Statistiques Algérie. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 May 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  2. War in Algeria, Mohammmde Hardi, Benjamamin Stora edition Robert Laffont
  3. "Suicide Bombing In Algeria Kills 15" AHN News retrieved September 10, 2007
  4. "Suicide Bombing Kills 15 in Algeria" Archived September 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine VOA News retrieved September 10, 2007
  5. "16 killed in Algeria bombing attack" Excite News retrieved September 10, 2007
  6. "Suicide bomb kills 20 in Algeria" BBC News retrieved September 10, 2007
  7. "Many dead in Algeria suicide attack" Al Jazeera retrieved September 10, 2007
  8. United Nations Security Council Verbotim Report 5738. S/PV/5738 page 2. The President 7 September 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
  9. populstat.info Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  10. "Climate Normals for Batna". Retrieved 11 February 2013.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.