Constantine, Algeria
| Constantine | |||
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| — Commune and city — | |||
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  Constantine
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| Coordinates: | |||
| Country |  Algeria |
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| Province | Constantine Province | ||
| District | Constantine District | ||
| Government | |||
| - President | A. Chibane (2007-2012) | ||
| Population (1998) | |||
| - Total | 750,000 | ||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
Constantine (Arabic: قسنطينة, Qusanṭīnah) is the capital of Constantine Province in north-eastern Algeria. Slightly inland, it is about 80 kilometers from the Mediterranean coast. Regarded as the capital of eastern Algeria and the centre of its region, Constantine has a population of over 750,000 (1,000,000 with the agglomeration), making it the third largest city in the country after Algiers and Oran. There are museums and important historical sites around the city.
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History
The city was originally created by the Phoenicians, which they called the Sarim Batim (royal city). Later, this name was Cirta, which means, in Phoenician "city carved into the rock". The city was taken over by Numidia, the country of the Berber People after the defeat of the Phoenicians during the 3rd Punic war. In 112 BC the city was occupied by Jugurtha who defeated his half brother, Adherbal. The city later served as the base for Roman generals Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus and Gaius Marius in their war against Jugurtha. Later, with the removal of King Juba I and the remaining supporters of Pompey in Africa (c46), Julius Caesar gave special rights to the citizens of Cirta, now known as Colonia Sittlanorum.
In 311, during the civil war between emperor Maxentius and usurper Domitius Alexander (a former governor of Africa), the city was destroyed. Rebuilt in 313, it was subsequently named after emperor Constantine the Great, who had defeated Maxentius. Conquered by the Vandals in 432, Constantine returned to the Byzantine exarchate of North Africa from 534 to 697. It was conquered by the Arabs in the 7th century, receiving the name of Qusantina.
The city recovered and in 12th century was again a prosperous market, with connection to Pisa, Genoa and Venice. Since 1529 it was intermittently part of Ottoman Empire, ruled by a Turkish bey (governor) subordinate to the dey of Algiers. Salah Bey, who ruled the city in 1770-1792, greatly embellished it and built much of the Muslim architecture still visible today.
In 1826 the last Bey, Ahmed Bey ben Mohamed Chérif, became the new head of state. He led a fierce resistance against French forces, which invaded Algeria four years later. By 13 October 1837 the territory was reconquered by France, and from 1848 on until 1962 it was an integral part of the French motherland and center of the Constantine Département.
In World War II, during the campaign in North Africa (1942–43), Constantine and the nearby city of Sétif were used by the Allied forces as operational bases.
Geography
Constantine is situated on a plateau at 640 metres (2,100 ft) above sea level. The city is framed by a deep ravine and has a dramatic appearance. The city is very picturesque with a number of bridges and a viaduct crossing the ravine. The ravine is crossed by four bridges, including Pont Sidi M'Cid. Constantine is the railhead of a prosperous and diverse agricultural area. It also a center of the grain trade and has flour mills, a tractor factory, and industries producing textiles, wool, linen, and leather goods. Algeria and Tunisia serve as its markets.
Climate
| Climate data for Constantine | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 78.8 (26.0) |
77.9 (25.5) |
82.8 (28.2) |
88.9 (31.6) |
94.1 (34.5) |
101.7 (38.7) |
112.1 (44.5) |
110.8 (43.8) |
102.2 (39.0) |
93.6 (34.2) |
84.4 (29.1) |
78.4 (25.8) |
112.1 (44.5) |
| Average high °F (°C) | 56.1 (13.4) |
56.7 (13.7) |
60.4 (15.8) |
65.5 (18.6) |
73.2 (22.9) |
79.3 (26.3) |
86.9 (30.5) |
87.8 (31.0) |
77.4 (25.2) |
69.3 (20.7) |
61 (16.1) |
55.4 (13.0) |
69.08 (20.6) |
| Average low °F (°C) | 38.3 (3.5) |
38.8 (3.8) |
40.5 (4.7) |
44.6 (7.0) |
52.7 (11.5) |
56.5 (13.6) |
61.2 (16.2) |
61.2 (16.2) |
56.7 (13.7) |
50.9 (10.5) |
45.3 (7.4) |
38.1 (3.4) |
48.73 (9.29) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 14.5 (-9.7) |
17.1 (-8.3) |
23.4 (-4.8) |
32.5 (0.3) |
39.6 (4.2) |
40.8 (4.9) |
43 (6.1) |
42.8 (6.0) |
39.6 (4.2) |
31.8 (-0.1) |
26.8 (-2.9) |
14.9 (-9.5) |
14.5 (-9.7) |
| Precipitation inches (mm) | 2.457 (62.4) |
2.476 (62.9) |
1.803 (45.8) |
1.831 (46.5) |
1.138 (28.9) |
0.685 (17.4) |
0.634 (16.1) |
0.602 (15.3) |
0.85 (21.6) |
1.346 (34.2) |
2.051 (52.1) |
2.657 (67.5) |
18.48 (469.4) |
People
Constantine is the native city of the Islamic reformator Ben Badis. It is also the hometown of many noteworthy people in Algeria and France.
- Ben Badis (Islamic reformer and philosopher)
- Malek Bennabi (philosopher)
- Masinissa The first King of Numidia.
- Princess Charlotte, Duchess of Valentinois, the daughter of Louis II, Prince of Monaco, and the mother of Prince Rainier III
- Claude Cohen-Tannoudji, Nobel Prize winner in Physics
- Charles-Michel Marle, mathematician
- Hassiba Boulmerka, Athlete World and Olympic Champion; she is the first Algerian to win an Olympic title.
- Ahlam Mosteghanemi (writer)
- Ahmed Bey (the last Bey of Constantine).
- Rabah Bitat (the third President of Algeria)
- Sidi Nemdil, Algerian Turk, Islamic and nationalist from nemdil family.
- Enrico Macias, (French singer)
- Cheb i Sabbah, (DJ, musician and composer)
- Jean-Michel Atlan (artist)
- Alphonse Halimi (World champion boxer),
- Fatiha Bourbia (Renown Architect)
- Rachid Khalef (Renown Architect)
- Kateb Yacine (writer).
- Maurice Boitel, (artist)
- Samir Nasri (French football star who currently plays in England)
- Ali Saïdi-Sief (Olympic runner sub Champion in 2000 Summer Olympics for the 5000 m)
- Sandra Laoura, Olympic medalist
Main sights
The city is framed by a deep ravine and has a dramatic appearance. The city is very picturesque with a number of bridges and a viaduct crossing the ravine.
- Gustave Mercier Museum (displays of ancient and modern art).
- Abd al Hamid Ben Badis Mosque.
- The Constantine Casbah.
- Emir Abd al-Qadir University & Mosque.
- Soumma Mausoleum
- Massinissa's Mausoleum
- The Palace of Ahmed Bey.
- Ruins of the Antonian Roman aqueduct.
- Ben Abdelmalek Stadium
Nearby is the Roman city of Tiddis and the megalithic monuments and burial grounds at Djebel Mazala Salluste.
Education
Constantine has one university, the University of Constantine, which was founded in 1969.
Constantine is also known for its universities: Mentouri, designed by the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer., Zerzara, and The Islamic University of El amir Abdelkader, Constantine will have another huge University town under construction in the (nouvelle ville) Constantine's current zip code is 25000.
International relations
Twin towns — Sister cities
Constantine is twinned with:
References
Notes
- ↑ Jérôme Steffenino, Marguerite Masson. "Ville de Grenoble - Coopérations et villes jumelles". Grenoble.fr. http://www.grenoble.fr/jsp/site/Portal.jsp?page_id=92. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
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