City in northwestern Algeria with 200,000 inhabitants (2005 estimate),
situated in the interior along the seasonal river Wadi Mekerra in the
Tell Atlas Moutains at an elevation of 470 metres, 75 km from the
Mediterranean Sea.
It
is the capital of Sidi Bel Abbes province with 590,000 inhabitants (2005
estimate) and an area of 9,096 kmē.
The
economic base for the city is the surrounding agriculture, producing
cereals like wheat and barley, and grapes. Industry includes a farm-machine
manufacturing complex.
Sidi
Bel Abbes is well-connected with other urban centres of Algeria by road
and rail. Oran lies 70 km north, Tlemcen 90 km west. Oran has the
nearest airport.
The
city is surrounded by a wall with 4 gates. The city has a university.
Sidi
Bel Abbes is named after a sacred Muslim man who has his tomb here |
