Sidi Bel Abbès

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Sidi Bel Abbes (Arabic: سيدي بلعباس) is a capital (1998 pop. 180,260) of the Sidi Bel Abbes wilaya, Algeria. It is the commercial center of an important area of vineyards, market gardens, orchards, and grain fields. Farm and electronics equipment are manufactured. There are good bus and rail connections and an airport.

The city, on the Mékerra River, developed around a French camp built in 1843 . From 1931 until 1961 , the city was the "holy city" or spiritual home of the French Foreign Legion, the location of its basic training camp, and the headquarters of its 1st Foreign Regiment . Until 1962 , Sidi-bel-Abbès was headquarters of the French Foreign Legion.

[edit] Famous Natives of Sidi Bel Abbes