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Batna

بلدية باتنة
Commune of Batna
Country Algeria
ProvinceBatna (seat)
DistrictBatna (seat)
Government
 • PMA Seats33
Elevation
1,048 m (3,438 ft)
Population
 (1998)
 • Total247,520
Time zoneUTC+01 (CET)
Postal code
05000
ONS code0501

Batna (Arabic: باتنة‎, Berber: Batna in Tifinagh.svg, Tbatent) is the main city of Batna Province, Algeria. With a population of 285,800 (2004 estimation) 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.

History

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 Group of Six », heads of the FLN. Photo taken just before the launch of the revolution on 1 novembre 1954. Standing, from left to right : Rabah Bitat, Mostefa Ben Boulaïd, Didouche Mourad andMohamed Boudiaf. Seated : Krim Belkacem left, and Larbi Ben M'Hidi on right.

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

The first Batneens adhere to Messali Hadj (PPP), also with the Ulemas Ben Badis and the Movement for the triumph of democratic freedoms (MTLD), then they will organize the great historic summit of 22, June 25, 1954.

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

Previous civil war

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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[2][3][4] deaths and 107[5] injuries as the bomber detonated his device among a crowd waiting to see the President,[3] who was at the end of a three-day tour of eastern Algeria.[6] The bombings were condemned by the UN Security Council.[7]

Historical population

Year Population[8]
1901 6,900
1926 10,300
1931 13,600
1936 15,500
1948 21,700
1954 26,400
1966 54,900
1974 115,100
1977 102,800 (town)
112,100 (municipality)
1987 181,600
1998 246,800

Geography

Climate

Snow in Batna

Located in the Aurès Mountains (part of the Atlas Mountains), at 1,048 m (3,438 ft) above sea level, Batna has a semi-arid climate with Mediterranean influences and an average annual precipitation of 326.2 mm (12.8 in). Summers are moderately hot and dry and winters are chilly and wetter, with the possibility of snowfalls. This climate is described by the Köppen climate classification as BSk.

This city has the lowest recorded temperature in Algeria, of -20 °C (-4 °F), on January 4, 1945.[9]

Climate data for Batna, Algeria
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 10
(50)
11
(52)
14
(57)
18
(64)
23
(73)
29
(84)
33
(91)
32
(90)
27
(81)
20
(68)
14
(57)
11
(52)
20
(68)
Average low °C (°F) 1
(34)
1
(34)
3
(37)
5
(41)
9
(48)
14
(57)
17
(63)
17
(63)
13
(55)
9
(48)
4
(39)
2
(36)
8
(46)
Precipitation mm (inches) 24.9
(0.98)
29.3
(1.154)
38
(1.5)
31.7
(1.248)
32
(1.26)
20.1
(0.791)
7.5
(0.295)
17.7
(0.697)
37.3
(1.469)
27.3
(1.075)
31.7
(1.248)
28.7
(1.13)
326
(12.83)
Source: Weather Underground.[10]

City of Batna at a Glance

Most people speak Chaouia, fluent in French and very little English.

Entertainment

Many entertainment resorts are spread across the town. With regard to 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 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. However, this park is undergoing maintenance for few years.

Batnian Youth

Batnian youths enjoy having a seat at a café and chatting with friends, discussing affairs, or playing domino, chess, or cards. Another important hobby is hopping on a computer in a cyber café, due to the affordable price. Online, the youths enjoy just googling, surfing the internet, or chatting with overseas people using MSN, Yahoo! Messenger, Skype, caramail, and so on.

Dining and Nightlife

With regard to night life, due to some religious and cultural limitations, there is almost no night clubs in the city. However, a warm atmosphere for a perfect night life 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 04-15july every year). The most attractive exciting places surrounding the city are, Lambese (also called Lambaesis), Timgad, Balcons de Ghoufi, Chelaalaa, and Belezma National Park.

References

  1. War in Algeria, Mohammmde Hardi, Benjamamin Stora edition Robert Laffont
  2. Suicide Bombing In Algeria Kills 15 AHN News retrieved September 10, 2007
  3. 3.0 3.1 Suicide Bombing Kills 15 in Algeria VOA News retrieved September 10, 2007
  4. 16 killed in Algeria bombing attack Excite News retrieved September 10, 2007
  5. Suicide bomb kills 20 in Algeria BBC News retrieved September 10, 2007
  6. Many dead in Algeria suicide attack Al Jazeera retrieved September 10, 2007
  7. United Nations Security Council Verbotim Report meeting 5738 page 2, The President on 7 September 2007 (retrieved 2008-05-20)
  8. populstat.info
  9. (French) Bulletin Mensuel 1945, Algérie du Nord, Institut de Météorologie et de Physique du Globe de l’Algérie, NOAA Central Library, Climate Data Imaging Project. Retrieved 19 October 2010.
  10. [1]

External links

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