Batna, Algeria

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Batna (also Bâtnah) (Arabic: باتنة) is the main city of Batna Province (or Wilaya of Batna), Algeria. It is located at 35.57° North, 6.17° East. With a population of 285.800 (2004 estimation) it is the fifth largest Wilaya in Algeria. It is also one of the principal cities of the Chaoui area and is considered the capital of the Aures.

1 History
2 City of Batna at a Glance
3 External Links

[edit] History

The first solid foundations (military camp) of the city were erected by 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, is a living example of the importance that Romans gave to commerce control over the region.

[edit] City of Batna at a Glance

Batna is located in the north east of Algeria, not far from Constantine and the Tunisian border. The town has increasingly broadened the last 15 years (from 1992). Many trade centers, houses and apartments have been built during this time. The city combines a variety of both eastern and western architectural styles with Algerian stamp. The city is known as the "City of Retirements" due to its tranquil and calm environment; even the mentality of native habitants of Batna is peaceful and almost identical to the calm of the city. Most people speak Arabic, Chaouia, poor French (except the old generation), and very little English.

[edit] 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 ), 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.

[edit] Batnian Youth

One of the main hobbies of Batnian youth is simply the exercise of walking back and fourth for hours in Trig Biskara and enjoying people watching. While some older people look at the youth's aimless walks with perplexity, the activity is really just for fun and relaxing (similar to what people do in Hollywood Walk of Fame in California: they too walk and watch as others trace out out their steps on the walk or watch celebrities). For those who felt tired from walking, or just don’t like to walk, a good place for them would be a café. 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 hoping 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.

[edit] 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 ALLEES BENBOULAID" 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 LES ALLES BENBOUELAID 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 Bellazma Parks.