Mascara (Arabic: معسكر Muʿaskar, Berber languages: ⵎⵄⴻⵙⴽⴻⵔ Mɛesker) is a province (wilaya) in Algeria. It was named after its capital, whose name is Arabic for "military garrison". It is unsure whether the place is related to "mascara", the cosmetic. Another important locality is the town of Sig.
Mascara Province
ولاية معسكر | |
---|---|
![]() Map of Algeria highlighting Mascara | |
Coordinates: 35°24′N 0°8′E / 35.400°N 0.133°E | |
Country | ![]() |
Capital | Mascara, Algeria |
Area | |
• Total | 5,941 km2 (2,294 sq mi) |
Population (2008)[1] | |
• Total | 780,959 |
• Density | 130/km2 (340/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+01 (CET) |
Area Code | +213 (0) 45 |
ISO 3166 code | DZ-29 |
Districts | 16 |
Municipalities | 47 |
History
editThe province was created from parts of Mostaganem department and Oran (department) in 1974.
Administrative divisions
editThe province is divided into 16 districts (daïras), which are further divided into 47 communes or municipalities.
Districts
editCommunes
edit- Aïn Fares
- Aïn Fekan
- Aïn Ferah
- Aïn Fras
- Alaimia
- Aouf
- Beniane
- Bou Hanifia
- Bou Henni
- Chorfa
- El Bordj
- El Gaada
- El Ghomri
- Hachem
- El Keurt
- El Menaouer
- Ferraguig
- Froha
- Gharrous
- Guerdjoum
- Guittena
- Ghriss
- Mamounia
- Hacine
- Khalouia
- Makdha
- Maoussa
- Mascara
- Matemore
- Mocta Douz
- Mohammadia
- Nesmoth
- Oggaz
- Oued El Abtal
- Oued Taria
- Ras Ain Amirouche
- Sedjerara
- Sehaîlia
- Sidi Abdeldjebar
- Sidi Abdelmoumen
- Sidi Kada
- Sidi Boussaid
- Sig
- Tighennif
- Tizi
- Zeralda Forest
- Zahana
- Zelameta
1994 earthquake
editThere was an earthquake in the capital of Mascara City on 18 August 1994. The 5.9 Mw oblique-slip shock left 159 dead, 289 injured, and 8,000–10,000 homeless.[2]
Notable people
edit- Emir Abdelkader (1808–1883)
- Emir Mustapha (1814 – 1863)
References
edit- ^ Office National des Statistiques, Recensement General de la Population et de l’Habitat 2008 Archived 2008-07-24 at the Wayback Machine Preliminary results of the 2008 population census. Accessed on 2008-07-02.
- ^ USGS. "M5.9 - northern Algeria". United States Geological Survey.