Tlemcen
Tlemcen (تلمسان) is the second-largest city in northwestern Algeria after Oran and is the capital of Tlemcen Province. The city has developed leather, carpet, and textile industries, which it exports through the port of Rachgoun. It had a population of 140,158 during the 2008 census.
Former capital of the central Maghreb, the city is a mix of Berber, Arab, Hispano-Moorish, Ottoman, and Western influences. From this mosaic of influences, the city derives the title of capital of Andalusian art in Algeria. According to the author Dominique Mataillet, various titles are attributed to the city including "the pearl of the Maghreb ", "the African Granada" and "the Medina of the West".
The name Tlemcen (Tilimsān) was given by the Zayyanid King Yaghmurasen Ibn Zyan. One possible etymology is that it comes from a Berber word tilmas, meaning "spring, water-hole", or from the combination of the Berber words tala ("fountain"), the preposition m-, and sān ("two"), thus meaning "two fountains". Another proposed etymology is from the Zanata words talam ("junction") and sān ("two"), referring to the town's geographic position which links the desert regions to the south with the mountainous regions to the north.
Former capital of the central Maghreb, the city is a mix of Berber, Arab, Hispano-Moorish, Ottoman, and Western influences. From this mosaic of influences, the city derives the title of capital of Andalusian art in Algeria. According to the author Dominique Mataillet, various titles are attributed to the city including "the pearl of the Maghreb ", "the African Granada" and "the Medina of the West".
The name Tlemcen (Tilimsān) was given by the Zayyanid King Yaghmurasen Ibn Zyan. One possible etymology is that it comes from a Berber word tilmas, meaning "spring, water-hole", or from the combination of the Berber words tala ("fountain"), the preposition m-, and sān ("two"), thus meaning "two fountains". Another proposed etymology is from the Zanata words talam ("junction") and sān ("two"), referring to the town's geographic position which links the desert regions to the south with the mountainous regions to the north.
Map - Tlemcen
Map
Country - Algeria
Flag of Algeria |
Algeria produced and is linked to many civilizations, empires and dynasties, including ancient Numidians, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Umayyads, Abbasids, Rustamids, Idrisids, Aghlabids, Fatimids, Zirids, Hammadids, Almoravids, Almohads, Zayyanids, Spaniards, Ottomans and the French colonial empire, with the latter expanded into its present-boundaries. After 132 years of being part of France, tensions between France and the local Algerian populace led to the start of the Algerian War which concluded with Algeria obtaining its independence on 5 July 1962 with the establishment of the People's Democratic Republic on 20 September of that year.
Currency / Language
ISO | Currency | Symbol | Significant figures |
---|---|---|---|
DZD | Algerian dinar | دج | 2 |
ISO | Language |
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AR | Arabic language |