Lakhdaria (), is a town in northern

Algeria ) , image_map = Algeria (centered orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Algiers , coordinates = , largest_city = capital , relig ...

, in the

Bouïra Province Bouïra ( Kabyle: Tawilayt n Tuvirett, ar, ولاية البويرة, french: Wilaya de Bouira) is a province (''wilaya'') in the Kabylie region (also known as Tazwawa) in Algeria. History The province was created from parts of Médéa (dépar ...

. It is located 50 miles (75 km) south east of Algiers. It is surrounded by the

Kabylie Kabylia ('' Kabyle: Tamurt n Leqbayel'' or ''Iqbayliyen'', meaning "Land of Kabyles", '','' meaning "Land of the Tribes") is a cultural, natural and historical region in northern Algeria and the homeland of the Kabyle people. It is part of th ...

mountains, and by a 3 miles long river named oued Isser, passing by rocky mountains called the grottoes of Lakhdaira.

History

The town was named Palestro when it was founded in 1860, it was named in honour of the Franco-Piedmontese victory over Austria at

Palestro Palestro is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Pavia. It is located on the banks of the river Sesia. History Although located in area settled by Celts, Etruscans, ancient Rome, Romans and Lombards, Palestro is mentioned for the first time ...

in 1859 during the

Second Italian War of Independence The Second Italian War of Independence, also called the Franco-Austrian War, the Austro-Sardinian War or Italian War of 1859 ( it, Seconda guerra d'indipendenza italiana; french: Campagne d'Italie), was fought by the Second French Empire and t ...

. It was renamed Lakhdaria after Algerian independence in honour of Mokrani Rabah Lakhdar, known as Si Lakhdar, a senior FLN leader during the Algerian War.

Population

The population is now around 59 009 people. Farming, construction and transportation are the main sources of employment of the local population. Some residents also commute to Algiers for work. The city is very busy, people like to do shopping and meeting in coffee shops and

mosque A mosque (; from ar, مَسْجِد, masjid, ; literally "place of ritual prostration"), also called masjid, is a place of prayer for Muslims. Mosques are usually covered buildings, but can be any place where prayers ( sujud) are performed, ...

Agriculture

Agriculture prevails in the area, especially vegetables and olive trees on family farms, many located at the bottom of the mountains that surround the area.

Industry

A telecommunication site is located in East of Lakhdaria that includes huge TV transmitters and receivers that is used by the Algerian television.

References

{{Bouïra Province Populated places in Bouïra Province Populated places established in 1860 Bouïra Province