Annaba
Encyclopedia
Annaba is a city in the northeastern corner of Algeria
near the river Seybouse. It is located in Annaba Province
. With a population of 257,359 (2008), it is the fourth largest city in Algeria. It is a leading industrial centre in eastern Algeria.
-making craftsmanship. Other archaeological finds include tools in the Levalloisian and Mousterian
styles produced by human
s (Homo sapiens) well before 100,000 years ago, similar to those in the Levant. According to some sources, prehistoric
Algeria was the site of the most advanced development of flake-tool techniques in the Middle Early Stone Age (Middle Paleolithic
). Tools from this era, starting from at least as early as 85,000 BC, are called Aterian
after the site Bir el Ater south of Annaba. These tools are marked by a high standard of workmanship, great variety, and specialization. See Prehistory of Central North Africa.
Annaba, which was called Hippo Regius
during Roman
times, was probably founded by the Phoenicia
ns in the 12th century BC
. It was a centre of early Western Christianity and was the site of many Christian synods
, one of which was central in canonizing the current books of the New Testament Augustine of Hippo
was bishop here from 396 until his death in 430.The city has buildings from its Roman, Christian, and Muslim
eras.
During French rule, the city was known as Bône. It was one of the main European settlements, having a sizeable pied-noir
minority. One famous pied-noir from Bône was Alphonse Juin
, a Marshal of France
and a former NATO Central Europe Commander.
. As of 2004, there are over 40,000 students enrolled.
, an international airport whose IATA airport code
is AAE.
Annaba has rail links to the Algerian cities of Constantine
and Algiers
.
Annaba is known for its beautiful beaches, hotels and night life. Most foreign tourists are from Italy
and France.
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
near the river Seybouse. It is located in Annaba Province
Annaba Province
Annaba is a small province in the north-eastern corner of Algeria. Its capital, Annaba is Algeria's main port for mineral exports.-Administrative divisions:The province is divided into 6 districts and 12 municipalities.The districts are:...
. With a population of 257,359 (2008), it is the fourth largest city in Algeria. It is a leading industrial centre in eastern Algeria.
Prehistory and history
The vicinity of Annaba has yielded evidence of very early hominid occupation at Ain el Hanech, near Saïda (c. 200,000 B.C.), including artefacts that show remarkable toolTool
A tool is a device that can be used to produce an item or achieve a task, but that is not consumed in the process. Informally the word is also used to describe a procedure or process with a specific purpose. Tools that are used in particular fields or activities may have different designations such...
-making craftsmanship. Other archaeological finds include tools in the Levalloisian and Mousterian
Mousterian
Mousterian is a name given by archaeologists to a style of predominantly flint tools associated primarily with Homo neanderthalensis and dating to the Middle Paleolithic, the middle part of the Old Stone Age.-Naming:...
styles produced by human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
s (Homo sapiens) well before 100,000 years ago, similar to those in the Levant. According to some sources, prehistoric
Prehistory
Prehistory is the span of time before recorded history. Prehistory can refer to the period of human existence before the availability of those written records with which recorded history begins. More broadly, it refers to all the time preceding human existence and the invention of writing...
Algeria was the site of the most advanced development of flake-tool techniques in the Middle Early Stone Age (Middle Paleolithic
Paleolithic
The Paleolithic Age, Era or Period, is a prehistoric period of human history distinguished by the development of the most primitive stone tools discovered , and covers roughly 99% of human technological prehistory...
). Tools from this era, starting from at least as early as 85,000 BC, are called Aterian
Aterian
The Aterian industry is a name given by archaeologists to a type of stone tool manufacturing dating to the Middle Stone Age in the region around the Atlas Mountains and the northern Sahara, it refers the site of Bir el Ater, south of Annaba.The industry was probably created by modern humans ,...
after the site Bir el Ater south of Annaba. These tools are marked by a high standard of workmanship, great variety, and specialization. See Prehistory of Central North Africa.
Annaba, which was called Hippo Regius
Hippo Regius
Hippo Regius is the ancient name of the modern city of Annaba, in Algeria. Under this name, it was a major city in Roman Africa, hosting several early Christian councils, and was the home of the philosopher and theologian Augustine of Hippo...
during Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
times, was probably founded by the Phoenicia
Phoenicia
Phoenicia , was an ancient civilization in Canaan which covered most of the western, coastal part of the Fertile Crescent. Several major Phoenician cities were built on the coastline of the Mediterranean. It was an enterprising maritime trading culture that spread across the Mediterranean from 1550...
ns in the 12th century BC
12th century BC
-Overview:The 12th century BC is the period from 1200 to 1101 BC. Although many human societies were literate in this period, most individual persons mentioned in this article ought to be considered legendary rather than historical...
. It was a centre of early Western Christianity and was the site of many Christian synods
Synod of Hippo
The Synod of Hippo refers to the synod of 393 which was hosted in Hippo Regius in northern Africa during the early Christian Church. Additional synods were held in 394, 397, 401 and 426....
, one of which was central in canonizing the current books of the New Testament Augustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo , also known as Augustine, St. Augustine, St. Austin, St. Augoustinos, Blessed Augustine, or St. Augustine the Blessed, was Bishop of Hippo Regius . He was a Latin-speaking philosopher and theologian who lived in the Roman Africa Province...
was bishop here from 396 until his death in 430.The city has buildings from its Roman, Christian, and Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
eras.
During French rule, the city was known as Bône. It was one of the main European settlements, having a sizeable pied-noir
Pied-noir
Pied-Noir , plural Pieds-Noirs, pronounced , is a term referring to French citizens of various origins who lived in French Algeria before independence....
minority. One famous pied-noir from Bône was Alphonse Juin
Alphonse Juin
- Early years :Juin was born at Bône in French Algeria, and enlisted in the French Army, graduating from the École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr in 1912.- Career :...
, a Marshal of France
Marshal of France
The Marshal of France is a military distinction in contemporary France, not a military rank. It is granted to generals for exceptional achievements...
and a former NATO Central Europe Commander.
Climate
Education
One of Annaba's most notable educational institutions is Annaba UniversityAnnaba University
The University of Badji Mokhtar -Annaba- , Annaba University located in Annaba north eastern Cost of Algeria...
. As of 2004, there are over 40,000 students enrolled.
Transportation and industry
Annaba is served by Rabah Bitat AirportRabah Bitat Airport
Rabah Bitat Airport , formerly known as Les Salines Airport, and popularly as El Mellah Airport is an international airport located 9 km south of Annaba, a city in Algeria...
, an international airport whose IATA airport code
IATA airport code
An IATA airport code, also known an IATA location identifier, IATA station code or simply a location identifier, is a three-letter code designating many airports around the world, defined by the International Air Transport Association...
is AAE.
Annaba has rail links to the Algerian cities of Constantine
Constantine, Algeria
Constantine is the capital of Constantine Province in north-eastern Algeria. It was the capital of the same-named French département until 1962. Slightly inland, it is about 80 kilometres from the Mediterranean coast, on the banks of Rhumel river...
and Algiers
Algiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
.
Tourism
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and France.