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Blida

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Blida is a busy city in the country of Algeria. It sits about 45 km south-west of Algiers, which is the national capital. The city's name comes from an Arabic word that means "small city."

People often call it the "city of roses." This is because many beautiful roses grow in its many gardens. The city sits at the base of the Tell Atlas mountains. It is also on the edge of a fertile area called the Mitidja Plain.

Nature plays a huge part in how the city works. A stream called the Oued el kebir flows near the town. This water provides power for large corn mills and several factories. It also fills the many fountains found throughout the city. The water helps keep the many irrigated gardens green and healthy. Nearby, the Chiffa gorge is a special home for the Barbary macaque. This is an endangered type of primate.

GazeboPlaceToute
GazeboPlaceToute

The history of Blida is very long and interesting. The present town was founded in the 16th century by Moors. A man named Sidi Ahmed El-Kebir helped build it. After an earthquake in 1825, the town was rebuilt using a grid plan. This means the streets were laid out in straight lines. Later, in 1839, French troops occupied the city. They built a military base, an airbase, and a hospital there.

Sidilkbir
Sidilkbir

There are many important places to see in Blida today. The Al-Kawthar Mosque sits in the center of the city. It is a very large space for worship. It can hold more than 12,000 people on special religious days. Another famous spot is the Place Toute. This is a central plaza where people visit cafes and pastry shops. Children can play in the plaza while adults enjoy the local restaurants.

GazeboPlaceToute
GazeboPlaceToute

Blida is also a place of great trade and culture. The area has over 50,000 orange trees. In April, the scent of orange blossoms fills the air for miles. The city also sells flour and products from nearby cork and cedar trees. Many different Berber-speaking tribes have lived in this region for thousands of years. Even though the old city gates are gone, people still use their names to find streets and schools. The Tchaker stadium is also a key site for the Algeria national football team.

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🖼️ Images & Media (3)
File:Sidilkbir.jpg
Sidilkbir.jpg
File:Al-Kawthar Mosque in Blida, Algeria.jpg
Al-Kawthar Mosque in Blida, Algeria.jpg
File:GazeboPlaceToute.jpg
GazeboPlaceToute.jpg
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