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Biskra Province

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Province of Algeria Province in Algeria
Biskra Province ولاية بسكرة
Province
Map of Algeria highlighting BiskraMap of Algeria highlighting Biskra
Coordinates: 34°52′N 05°45′E / 34.867°N 5.750°E / 34.867; 5.750
Country Algeria
CapitalBiskra
Government
 • PPA presidentMr. Slimani Azeddine (RND)
 • WāliMr. Karoum Ahmed
Area
 • Total21,509 km (8,305 sq mi)
Population
 • Total869,215
 • Density40/km (100/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01 (CET)
Area Code+213 (0) 33
ISO 3166 codeDZ-07
Districts12
Municipalities33

Biskra (Arabic: ولاية بسكرة, Berber: ⴱⴻⵙⴽⵔⴰ) is a province (wilaya) of Algeria. Its capital is Biskra. It is located on the northern edge of the Algerian Sahara, south of the Atlas Mountains.

Geographically, Biskra Province is arid, but oases and rivers can be found, such as the Djedi River which flows through the province. The mountainous Aurès region also extends into the province.

Biskra Province is home to the district of Tolga, which is well-known internationally for its high-quality Deglet Nour dates. Other localities include Lichoua, Sidi Okba, Sidi Khaled, El-Kantara and Ouled Djellal.

History

Main article: Biskra § History

Berber tribes

The Biskra area has been inhabited since at least the 3rd millennium BC, when the Gaetuli, an ancient Berber tribe, arrived in North Africa. They settled in the Aurès region, where they posed problems to Roman infiltration in the 3rd century BC as they were stellar horsemen and became dreaded in combat. Eventually, Roman politician Gaius Marius negotiated exploration of the South against concessions of agricultural land around Cirta and Setifis (at the time under Roman rule), and dispersed them and diminished their strength.

Roman occupation

The Biskra area experienced many violent wars during Roman colonization, including the resistance war led by the Berber leader Tacfarinas, followed by his successor, the militant Jugurtha "Youghorta". With the help of the inhabitants of the city of Biskra, who provided human and material support, Jugurtha destroyed the Roman army at the end of the so-called Numidia region.

The Romans also established the city of Tolga and during their rule in the second century A.D, Syrian archers guarding the town of El Kantara were thought to have planted the first date palm grove in the region.

Post-independence

The province was created from parts of Oasis department and Batna (département) in 1974.

In 1984 El Oued Province was carved out of its territory.

Administrative divisions

The province is made up of 12 districts and 33 communes or municipalities.

Districts

  1. Biskra
  2. Djemourah
  3. Foughala
  4. El Kantara
  5. El Outaya
  6. M'Chouneche
  7. Ouled Djellal
  8. Ourlal
  9. Sidi Khaled
  10. Sidi Okba
  11. Tolga
  12. Zeribet El Oued

Communes

  1. Aïn Naga
  2. Aïn Zaatout
  3. Biskra
  4. Bordj Ben Azzouz
  5. Bouchagroune
  6. Branis
  7. Chetma
  8. Djemorah
  9. Doucen
  10. El Feidh
  11. El Ghrous
  12. El Hadjeb
  13. El Haouch
  14. El Kantara
  15. El Outaya
  16. Foughala
  17. Khenguet Sidi Nadjil
  18. Lichana
  19. Lioua
  20. M'Chouneche
  21. Mekhadma
  22. Meziraa
  23. M'Lili
  24. Ouled Djellal
  25. Ouled Harkat
  26. Ouled Rahma
  27. Ouled Sassi
  28. Oumache
  29. Ourlala
  30. Sidi Khaled
  31. Sidi Okba
  32. Tolga
  33. Zeribet El Oued

References

  1. http://www.wilayabiskra.dz/files/download/partie_1sur2%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%86%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%86%D9%88%D9%8A%20%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%A92015.pdf

External links

Biskra Province
Capital: Biskra
Districts
Communes
Provinces of Algeria
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