Saïda (Arabic: سعيدة, saʿīda, pronounced [saʕiːda]) is a commune and the capital city of Saïda Province, Algeria.

Saïda
سعيدة
Saïda
Saïda
Motto(s): 
"From the people, for the people"
Location of Saïda in Saïda Province
Location of Saïda in Saïda Province
Saïda is located in Algeria
Saïda
Saïda
Location of Saïda in Algeria
Coordinates: 34°50′00″N 0°09′00″E / 34.833333°N 0.15°E / 34.833333; 0.15
Country Algeria
ProvinceSaïda Province
DistrictSaïda District
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
Area
 • Total75.62 km2 (29.20 sq mi)
Elevation
980 m (3,220 ft)
Population
 (2008 census)
 • Total142,497
 • Density1,900/km2 (4,900/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
Postal code
20000
ISO 3166 codeCP

History

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The city's site has been of military importance ever since the Romans built a fort there.[1] Saïda was a stronghold of Abd al-Qadir, the Algerian national leader, who burned the town as French forces approached it in 1844.[1]

Modern Saïda was founded as a French military outpost in 1854 and once housed a regiment of the French Foreign Legion. Its growth was stimulated by the arrival of the Oran-Béchar (narrow-gauge) railway in 1862.

In 2005 the population was 158,856 inhabitants.[citation needed] It is nicknamed the city of waters, because of its abundant underground springs. The area is forested and the main products of the town are cereals, wool, leather and bottled mineral waters.[1]

Geography

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Location

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Saïda is located in north-western Algeria, on the southern slopes of the Tell Atlas mountain range at the northern fringe of the High Plateaus. The city lies on the right bank of the Wadi Saïda, protected by wooded mountains on the opposite shore that rise steeply from the valley floor to an elevation of some 4,000 feet (1,200 metres).[1]

Climate

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Climate data for Saïda (1991–2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 25.6
(78.1)
28.6
(83.5)
32.6
(90.7)
39.5
(103.1)
42.2
(108.0)
42.9
(109.2)
44.2
(111.6)
43.7
(110.7)
41.3
(106.3)
37.5
(99.5)
31.1
(88.0)
27.5
(81.5)
44.2
(111.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 14.1
(57.4)
15.2
(59.4)
18.4
(65.1)
21.4
(70.5)
26.4
(79.5)
32.1
(89.8)
36.6
(97.9)
36.1
(97.0)
30.3
(86.5)
25.1
(77.2)
18.2
(64.8)
15.0
(59.0)
24.1
(75.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 8.5
(47.3)
9.3
(48.7)
11.9
(53.4)
14.2
(57.6)
18.5
(65.3)
23.4
(74.1)
27.6
(81.7)
27.5
(81.5)
22.8
(73.0)
18.4
(65.1)
12.7
(54.9)
9.7
(49.5)
17.0
(62.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.9
(37.2)
3.3
(37.9)
5.4
(41.7)
7.0
(44.6)
10.5
(50.9)
14.7
(58.5)
18.7
(65.7)
19.0
(66.2)
15.2
(59.4)
11.8
(53.2)
7.1
(44.8)
4.4
(39.9)
10.0
(50.0)
Record low °C (°F) −9.3
(15.3)
−6.2
(20.8)
−5.8
(21.6)
−3.5
(25.7)
−0.6
(30.9)
5.4
(41.7)
8.4
(47.1)
7.0
(44.6)
6.6
(43.9)
2.0
(35.6)
−2.4
(27.7)
−11.0
(12.2)
−11.0
(12.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 42.9
(1.69)
36.5
(1.44)
43.0
(1.69)
38.7
(1.52)
30.1
(1.19)
12.1
(0.48)
6.0
(0.24)
10.8
(0.43)
25.7
(1.01)
43.0
(1.69)
44.4
(1.75)
36.7
(1.44)
369.9
(14.56)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 7.1 6.3 6.1 5.7 4.7 2.1 1.1 1.6 3.7 4.8 6.4 6.4 56.0
Mean monthly sunshine hours 193.4 197.9 233.6 260.4 296.1 327.6 334.9 310.9 261.1 244.7 194.9 183.0 3,038.5
Source: NOAA[2]

Transport

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Saïda is served by a narrow gauge railway from Mohammadia; however, a standard gauge line is proposed.

Demographics

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Saïda had a population of 110,865 in 1998, while the population grew to 124,989 in 2008, representing a 12.74% increase.[1]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Saïda | Algeria". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2019-03-14.
  2. ^ "Saïda Climate Normals 1991–2020". World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.

34°50′N 0°09′E / 34.833°N 0.150°E / 34.833; 0.150