Aïn El Berd is a
commune (baladiyah) in the
Aïn El Berd district (daïra) in the
Sidi Bel Abbès
Sidi Bel Abbès (), also called Bel Abbès, is the capital''Sidi Bel Abbes'', lexicorient.com (Encyclopaedia of the Orient), internet article. of the Sidi Bel Abbès wilaya, Algeria. It is named after Sidi bel Abbass, a Muslim marabout or noble ...
province (wilayah) of
Algeria
Algeria, officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It is bordered to Algeria–Tunisia border, the northeast by Tunisia; to Algeria–Libya border, the east by Libya; to Alger ...
. It is situated in the northwestern part of the country, in the
Hauts Plateaux region, and has a typical
Mediterranean climate
A Mediterranean climate ( ), also called a dry summer climate, described by Köppen and Trewartha as ''Cs'', is a temperate climate type that occurs in the lower mid-latitudes (normally 30 to 44 north and south latitude). Such climates typic ...
. Established as an official commune on April 15, 1886, Aïn El Berd is known for its beautiful countryside views and sites, as well as for its vineyards, olive trees, and wheat products. During the
French colonial era, the surrounding areas, then called Saint-Marc and Saint-Henri, gave wines of good quality, and in 1889 and 1900 won silver and gold medals, respectively.
Settlements
Aïn El Berd Commune consists of two main settlements:
* Aïn El Berd - with a population of 12,179
is the capital of Aïn El Berd commune. The colonial name was "Oued-Imbert", which is a contraction of its name Oued Aïn El Berd.
Before the
French colonial era, Aïn El Berd was inhabited by the tribe of Ouled Sidi Ma'âchou. It is situated 25 km from
Sidi Bel Abbès
Sidi Bel Abbès (), also called Bel Abbès, is the capital''Sidi Bel Abbes'', lexicorient.com (Encyclopaedia of the Orient), internet article. of the Sidi Bel Abbès wilaya, Algeria. It is named after Sidi bel Abbass, a Muslim marabout or noble ...
and 57 km from
Oran
Oran () is a major coastal city located in the northwest of Algeria. It is considered the second most important city of Algeria, after the capital, Algiers, because of its population and commercial, industrial and cultural importance. It is w ...
on national highway N13.
* Ouled Ali - population of 3,487.
Demographics
During the
French colonial era, the area around Aïn El Berd from
Oran
Oran () is a major coastal city located in the northwest of Algeria. It is considered the second most important city of Algeria, after the capital, Algiers, because of its population and commercial, industrial and cultural importance. It is w ...
to
Sidi-Bel-Abbès was heavily populated with French colonists, sometimes referred to as
Pied-Noir
The (; ; : ) are an ethno-cultural group of people of French and other European descent who were born in Algeria during the period of French colonial rule from 1830 to 1962. Many of them departed for mainland France during and after the ...
. After the
massacre of ''Pieds-Noirs'' in Oran by the suburban Muslim population in which European people were shot, molested and brought to Petit-Lac
slaughterhouse
In livestock agriculture and the meat industry, a slaughterhouse, also called an abattoir (), is a facility where livestock animals are slaughtered to provide food. Slaughterhouses supply meat, which then becomes the responsibility of a mea ...
where they were tortured and executed, the ''
Pied-Noir
The (; ; : ) are an ethno-cultural group of people of French and other European descent who were born in Algeria during the period of French colonial rule from 1830 to 1962. Many of them departed for mainland France during and after the ...
'' exodus began in earnest.
By September 1962, cities such as
Oran
Oran () is a major coastal city located in the northwest of Algeria. It is considered the second most important city of Algeria, after the capital, Algiers, because of its population and commercial, industrial and cultural importance. It is w ...
and
Sidi Bel Abbès
Sidi Bel Abbès (), also called Bel Abbès, is the capital''Sidi Bel Abbes'', lexicorient.com (Encyclopaedia of the Orient), internet article. of the Sidi Bel Abbès wilaya, Algeria. It is named after Sidi bel Abbass, a Muslim marabout or noble ...
were half-empty.
Despite losing so many people in the ''
Pied-Noir
The (; ; : ) are an ethno-cultural group of people of French and other European descent who were born in Algeria during the period of French colonial rule from 1830 to 1962. Many of them departed for mainland France during and after the ...
'' exodus, the region is currently rebounding. The population of the commune in 1933 was 41,645.
In 1998 the population was 13,779.
And according to the 2008 census, the population was 16,013.
Other
* Aïn El Berd is the location of the mausoleum of Sidi (Saint) Ma'âchou, which attracts visitors from all around north-western Algeria.
* There is a celebration every autumn - the Waada of Aïn El Berd.
* Nearby
spring
Spring(s) may refer to:
Common uses
* Spring (season), a season of the year
* Spring (device), a mechanical device that stores energy
* Spring (hydrology), a natural source of water
* Spring (mathematics), a geometric surface in the shape of a he ...
:
'Ain Melegra
* Nearby hill:
Hammar Zahtar
* Nearby mountain:
Djebel Boû Rdjiyâ
See also
*
Algerian War
The Algerian War (also known as the Algerian Revolution or the Algerian War of Independence) ''; '' (and sometimes in Algeria as the ''War of 1 November'') was an armed conflict between France and the Algerian National Liberation Front (Algeri ...
*
Pied-Noir
The (; ; : ) are an ethno-cultural group of people of French and other European descent who were born in Algeria during the period of French colonial rule from 1830 to 1962. Many of them departed for mainland France during and after the ...
References
External links
* http://enfantdeouedimbert.free.fr/livre1.html (website with map and photos of Aïn El Berd city)
{{coord, 35, 21, 57, N, 0, 30, 46, W, region:DZ_type:city_source:kolossus-frwiki, display=title
Communes of Sidi Bel Abbès Province
Sidi Bel Abbès Province