City in northeastern Algeria with 230,000 inhabitants (2005 estimate),
south of the Babor Mountains in the Kabylia, at an elevation of 1,096
metres.
It
is the capital of Setif province with 1.45 million inhabitants (2005
estimate) and an area of 6,504 kmē.
The
local economy deals both with trade and industries. The trade is mainly
in grain and livestock from the surrounding region. Locally produced
wheat is processed by local factories to produce semolina, couscous and
noodles. Other industries are woodworking, manufacture of carpets and
metal handicrafts. Zinc is extracted from nearby deposits and there are
hydroelectric development to the north. Extraction of phosphate used to
be of great importance, but the deposits have declined much.
Setif
is well-connected by rail and road with other urban centres of Algeria.
Constantine lies 200 km to the east.
The
centre of Setif follows the pattern laid out by the French. There are
remains of a Byzantine fortress north of the city, but nearer is a Roman
necropolis.
Setif
has a university, the University of Setif, which opened in 1978 |
