Batna (city)

Batna (also Bâtnah) (Arabic: باتنة) is the main city of Batna Province (or Wilaya of Batna), Algeria. It is located at 35.57° North, 6.17° East. With a population of 285.800 (2004 estimation) it is the fifth largest Wilaya in Algeria. Also it is one of the principal cities of the Chaoui area, as is considered the capital of the Aures.

First solid foundations military camp of the city were erected by French garrison in 1844 with strategic mission to create permanently 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 example of the importance that Romans gave to the commerce control on the region.

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City of Batna at a Glance

Batna is located in the east of Algeria, not far from Constantine and the Tunisian border. The town has increasingly broadened the last 15 years(from 1992), many trade centers, houses and apartments have been built also. The city combines a variety of both eastern and western architectures with Algerian stamp. The city is known as city of retirements due to its tranquil and calm environment; even the mentality of native habitants of Batna is peaceful and almost identical to the calm of the city. Most people speak Arabic, Chaoui/Chawi (Amazigh dialect), poor French regardless the old generation, and very little English.

Many entertainment resorts are spread across the town. With regard to sports activities the most important destinations are the 1st November Stadium (Stade du premier Novembre ), Seffouhi Stadium, which is addressed mainly for soccer clubs and funs(CAB & MSPB are the biggest teams in the city), in addition to the Scholar Stadium. For cultural activities there is a municipal Cultural House, which is located behind the Prefecture and covers many cultural and educational activities, in addition to the Islamic Cultural Center in the heart of the city and the Youth house in Cite Ennaser. For Kids an attraction park is located in Kechida which is 10mn driving from the downtown, however it is under maintenance for few years. The main hobbies of Batnian youth are the walk back and fourth for hours in Trig Biskara, and just watching people not for the intention of stealing them, but just for fun and relaxing (similar what people do in Hollywood walk of fame in California: walking and watching out their steps or watching on faked celebrities). For those who felt tired from walking or just don’t like to walk, the good place for them would be a café, having a seat there and chatting with friends, treating affairs, or playing domino, chest, or card. Another important hobby is to get a PC in Cyber Café due to the affordable price, and just googling, surfing or chatting with overseas people using msn, yahoo messenger, skype, caramail, and so on.

With regard to night life, due to some religious and cultural limitation, there is almost no night clubs in the city; however a warm atmosphere for a perfect night life is concentrated in the heart of the city, around “LES ALLEES BENBOULAID” and “STAND” areas, especially during summer break. The downtown is plenty of Cafés, traditional restaurants (Chouwaya) or GARGOUTTIER, Pizzerias, French and oriental Patisseries and a limited number of luxury restaurants. Many festivities usually take place in LES ALLES BENBOUELAID area mainly in the season of International Timgad Festival (usually between 04-15july every year). The most attractive exited places surround the city are ,Lambaise (also called Lambaesis), Timgad, Balcons de Ghoufi, Chelaalaa and Bellazma Parks.