City in Algeria
About Sidi Bel Abbès
Sidi Bel Abbès, also called Bel Abbès, is the capital of the Sidi Bel Abbès wilaya, Algeria. It is named after Sidi bel Abbass, a Muslim marabout or noble man who is buried there. The city is the commercial center of an important area of vineyards, market gardens, orchards, and grain fields. It was formerly surrounded by a wall with four gates, and today is home to a university. Sidi Bel Abbès is 75 kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea.
History
The present city, on the Wadi Sig River, developed around a French camp built in 1843. In 1849 a planned agricultural town was established around the existing military post. From the 1830s until 1962 the city was closely associated with the French Foreign Legion, being the location of its basic training camp, and the headquarters of its 1st Foreign Regiment. In the late 1890s the town, described as being of Spanish appearance, had a civilian population of about 30,000. The main buildings were in the French military district of the Quartier Vienot. The training centre of the modern Algerian National Gendarmerie is located in Sidi Bel Abbès. In the 1930s much of the old city walls were demolished. Wide boulevards and squares replaced the traditional quarters, causing the town to lose much of its former character.
Geography
The city sits astride both banks of the Sig River, and lake Sidi Mohamed Benali. The lake provides a major water reserve for the area. Sidi Bel Abbès has a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk). Sidi Bel Abbès has 26 regional neighborhoods. These are: Campus, Ben Hamouda, American Village, Rocher, Sidi Djilali, Environment, Gambetta, Maconi, Soricor, La Brimer, Londeau, Sidi Yacine, Saqia Hamra, Village Perrin, Village Bira, Adda boudjelal, El Makam, El madina el Mounaouara, Bab Eddaya, Boumlik (Campo), Downtown, Grebah, Cimitiere Houria, Cite 20 Aout, Village Tierre, Village de Gaulle.
Culture
Rai music is the most famous music in the city and it is known for many rai chebs like Djilali Amarna. Association football is the most popular sport in the city. The local football team is USM Bel Abbès, which plays in 24 Fevrier Stadium. Basketball, handball, and volleyball are also popular and are played in middle and high schools or sports complexes, such as Adda Boudjelal Sportive Complex. The city also has a rugby union club, MC Sidi Bel Abbès.
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