Batna () is the main city and commune of Batna Province, Algeria. With a population of 290,645 (2008 census) 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 Aurès.
History
Batna was inhabited by Chaoui tribes and there were previous settlements in the area but they were in ruins by the 18th century. 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 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
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 Abdelhamid Ben Badis and the Movement for the Triumph of Democratic Freedoms (MTLD), and together they organized the historic summit of 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.War in Algeria, Mohammmde Hardi, Benjamamin Stora edition Robert Laffont
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"Suicide Bombing In Algeria Kills 15" AHN News retrieved September 10, 2007"16 killed in Algeria bombing attack" Excite News retrieved September 10, 2007 deaths and 107"Suicide bomb kills 20 in Algeria" BBC News retrieved September 10, 2007 injuries as the bomber detonated his device among a crowd waiting to see the President,"Suicide Bombing Kills 15 in Algeria" VOA News retrieved September 10, 2007 who was at the end of a three-day tour of eastern Algeria."Many dead in Algeria suicide attack" Al Jazeera retrieved September 10, 2007 The bombings were condemned by the UN Security Council.
Historical population
Year Populationpopulstat.info 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 1987 181,600 1998 246,800
Climate
Located in the Aurès Mountains (part of the Atlas Mountains), at above sea level, Batna has a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk) with Mediterranean influences and an average annual precipitation of . Summers are moderately hot (by Saharan standards) and dry and winters are chilly and wetter, with the possibility of snowfall.
Entertainment
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 , 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 nightlife, 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, 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
Town center
Quartier du Stand
Bouzourane
Cité 20 août (20 August estate)
Hai An Nasr
Cité 84 Log.
La Verdure
Cité Chikhi
Cité 800 Log.
Cité 500 Log.
Cité 1020 Log.
Kechida
Erriadh
Moudjahidines
Cité 1272 Log.
SAE
Tamechit
Sonatiba
Cité Chouhada
Kemmouni
El Boustane
Bouakal
Cité Million
Z'Mala
Douar Eddis
Ezzohour
Cité Lombarakia
Parc à fourrage
Cité Zemmouri
Cité Salsabil
Cité Bouarif
Lotissement Ben Bellat
Route de Tazoult (Tazoult road)
Zone Militaire (Military zone)
Zone Industrielle (Industrial zone)
Hamla 1
Hamla 2
Monuments Buttafoco Camp Monument
Sports The city is home to two notable football clubs: CA Batna and MSP Batna. Both play at the 1 November 1954 Stadium.
Education The city has Two universities, University of Batna 1 - Hadj Lakhdar and University of Batna 2 - Mostafa Ben Boulaid. It also has Aurès Aviation flight school.
Notable residents Houria Aïchi, musician Leila Ameddah, dentist and artist born 1962 Ali Benflis, Former Head of Government of Algeria Mohamed Hamouda Bensai, philosopher Ishem Boumaraf, singer Marcel Deviq, French engineer and politician Rachid Mouffouk, sculptor Liamine Zéroual, sixth President of Algeria Safia Djelal, paralympic athlete
References
External links
Travel Batna