Aïn Beïda, Oum El Bouaghi

Aïn Beïda عين البيضاء
Commune and city
Aïn Beïda
Coordinates: DZ 35°47′N 7°23′E / 35.783°N 7.383°E / 35.783; 7.383
Country	Algeria
Province	Oum El Bouaghi Province
District	Aïn Beïda District
Area
• Total	53.73 km2 (20.75 sq mi)
Elevation	1,020 m (3,350 ft)
Population (2008 census)
• Total	116,064
• Density	2,200/km2 (5,600/sq mi)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
Postal code	04201

Aïn Beïda is a city and municipality (baladiyah) located in Oum El Bouaghi Province, Algeria, south east of Constantine and north of Khenchla, inhabited by Chaouis. In 1998 its population was 88,300.^[1]

Etymology

Aïn is Arabic and means spring, while Beïda means white. Thus, Aïn Beïda literally means "White spring". The "whiteness" refers to the purity of the water that springs from the said spring.

History

The town center still features a garden that houses Roman ruins, which indicates that the town has a long and rich history. Former name in Roman Era is "Marcimani". The city was a strategic town in Roman Era with it is middle place between Theveste Cirta Baghai. In Turkish days, there was the strongest Emirates in East of Algeria based in Ain Beida as capitale. That Emirates has a strong army worth of 25000 man. After French invasion Haractas confronted the invasion bravely and loss in the battle of Oued Meskiana due to of unbalance between two armies 60000 against 30000 of Harcatis. After that France bring a Kaid from the outside of the Harkatis like a traitor and give him the lands. Many "Baidis" have been in World war 1 and 2 and also in first Arabic Israeilit war of 1948 After the beginning of the Algerian War, the city was one of the most frequent Cities by Jihad and offers thousands of life to the land and religion and for the liberation of Algeria. Among those we mention; Saidi Djemouii (Black tiger of palestro), Delphi Ibrahim, Colonel Hadj Ali Hamdi, Soltani Mohamed Salah and many others who offered their life for the Algerian case. After independence, the city has grown to be a prominent area of trading, selling used cars, production of electricity, distribution of gas. From the Olemas Muslimin we cite: Lakhdar boukeffa, Zinai Hadj belkacem; Zemouchi, and after them many olemas like Cheikh Ghoulam and Ghazali.

References