Annaba
Annaba
عنابة Oɑn̑abɑë | |
---|---|
Commune and city | |
Country | Algeria |
Province | Annaba Province |
District | Annaba District |
Population (2008) | |
• Total | 257,359 |
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
Annaba (Arabic: عنابة, ‘Annābah, ALFB transliteration: Oɑn̑abɑë; formerly Bône, historically Hippo) is a city in the northeastern corner of Algeria near the river Seybouse and the Tunisian border. It is located in Annaba Province. With a population of 257,359 (2008[1]), it is the fourth largest city in Algeria. It is a leading industrial centre in eastern Algeria.[citation needed]
Prehistory and history
The vicinity of Annaba has yielded evidence of very early hominid occupation at Ain el Hanech, near Saïda (c. 200,000 B.C.), including artefacts that show remarkable tool-making craftsmanship. Other archaeological finds include tools in the Levalloisian and Mousterian styles produced by humans (Homo sapiens) well before 100,000 years ago, similar to those in the Levant. According to some sources, prehistoric Algeria was the site of the most advanced development of flake-tool techniques in the Middle Early Stone Age (Middle Paleolithic). Tools from this era, starting from at least as early as 85,000 BC, are called Aterian after the site Bir el Ater south of Annaba. These tools are marked by a high standard of workmanship, great variety, and specialization. See Prehistory of Central North Africa.
Annaba, which was called Hippo Regius during Roman times, was probably founded by the Phoenicians in the 12th century BC. It was a centre of early Western Christianity and was the site of many Christian synods, one of which was central in canonizing the current books of the New Testament Augustine of Hippo was bishop here from 396 until his death in 430.[2]The city has buildings from its Roman, Christian, and Muslim eras.
During French rule, the city was known as Bône. It was one of the main European settlements, having a sizeable pied-noir minority. One famous pied-noir from Bône was Alphonse Juin, a Marshal of France and a former NATO Central Europe Commander.
Year | Population | Year | Population |
---|---|---|---|
1882 | 22,000 | 1931 | 68,800 |
1886 | 29,600 | 1936 | 83,300 |
1892 | 30,800 | 1948 | 102,800 |
1896 | 32,300 | 1954 | 114,100 |
1899 | 34,500 | 1960 | 164,000 |
1901 | 37,000 | 1966 | 168,800 |
1906 | 42,900 | 1974 | 313,200 |
1911 | 42,000 | 1977 | 222,600 (town) 255,900 (municipality) |
1921 | 45,200 | 1987 | 222,500 (town) 305,500 (municipality) |
1926 | 51,900 | 1998 | 247,701 (town) 359,657 (municipality) |
Climate
Climate data for Annaba | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 16.3 (61.3) |
16.8 (62.2) |
18.6 (65.5) |
20.5 (68.9) |
23.7 (74.7) |
27.5 (81.5) |
30.5 (86.9) |
31.3 (88.3) |
28.9 (84.0) |
25.9 (78.6) |
20.8 (69.4) |
17.6 (63.7) |
23.2 (73.8) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 11.6 (52.9) |
11.9 (53.4) |
13.4 (56.1) |
15.2 (59.4) |
18.4 (65.1) |
22.0 (71.6) |
24.8 (76.6) |
25.7 (78.3) |
23.6 (74.5) |
20.4 (68.7) |
15.9 (60.6) |
12.9 (55.2) |
17.98 (64.36) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 6.9 (44.4) |
7.0 (44.6) |
8.2 (46.8) |
9.8 (49.6) |
13.0 (55.4) |
16.5 (61.7) |
19.0 (66.2) |
20.0 (68.0) |
18.2 (64.8) |
14.9 (58.8) |
10.9 (51.6) |
8.1 (46.6) |
12.71 (54.88) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 98.5 (3.88) |
76.6 (3.02) |
61.2 (2.41) |
64.1 (2.52) |
38.3 (1.51) |
14.0 (0.55) |
3.10 (0.12) |
8.20 (0.32) |
37.5 (1.48) |
64.8 (2.55) |
98.4 (3.87) |
110.8 (4.36) |
675.5 (26.59) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 14.5 | 12.2 | 11.4 | 11.2 | 8.2 | 4.2 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 6.9 | 9.5 | 14.5 | 14.6 | 111.4 |
Source: World Meteorological Organization (UN)[4] |
Education
One of Annaba's most notable educational institutions is Annaba University. As of 2004, there are over 40,000 students enrolled.[5]
Transportation and industry
Annaba is served by Rabah Bitat Airport, an international airport whose IATA airport code is AAE. Annaba has rail links to the Algerian cities of Constantine and Algiers.
Tourism
Annaba is known for its beautiful beaches and family night life. Most tourists are from France and Italy.
References
- ^ 2008 census [1]
- ^ Braudel, Fernand (1995) [1963]. A history of civilizations. New York: Penguin Books. p. 335. ISBN 0140124896.
A Berber, born in 354 at Thagaste (now Souk-Ahras) in Africa, he died as Bishop of Hippo (later Bone, now Annaba) in 430, while the Vandals were besieging the town.
- ^ populstat.info
- ^ "Weather Information for Annaba".
- ^ http://www.annaba-univ.dz.org
- ^ http://www.visoterra.com/images/original/Visoterra-annaba---vue-d-helicopter-6414.jpg