Batna (city)
Batna (also Bâtnah) (Arabic: باتنة) is the main city of Batna Province, Algeria. It is located at 35.57° North, 6.17° East. With a population of 285.800 (2004 estimate) it is the fifth largest city of Algeria, and the principal city of the Chaoui area.
First solid fondations military camp of the city were erected by French garnison in 1844 with strategic mission to create permanentely guarded access point the main Sahara road. Batna geographical situation offers a natural break through Atlas mountains passage which, Romans didn't last to detected in their early invasion phase, the antic city of Timgad built around the 1st century after J.-C. is the living exemple of the importance that Romans gave to the commerce control on the region.
The ruins of Lambaesis are located nearby.
Batna is home to CA Batna soccer club.
Bibliography
- "Colonialism and After : An Algerian Jewish Community" by Elizabeth Friedman (Greenwood Books, 1988).