| Batna | |
| Official Name: | City of Batna |
| Type: | City and commune |
| Mapsize: | 180px |
| Pushpin Map: | Algeria |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of Batna within Algeria |
| Coordinates: | 35.55°N 16°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  Algeria |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Batna Province |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Batna District |
| Seat Type: | District seat |
| Leader Title: | PMA Seats |
| Leader Name: | 33 |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Area Total Km2: | 85 |
| Elevation M: | 1048 |
| Population Total: | 290645 |
| Population As Of: | 2008 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Population Demonym: | Batni (male) Batnia (female) |
| Timezone1: | CET |
| Utc Offset1: | +01 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
| Postal Code: | 05000 |
| Area Code: | (+213) 033 |
| Registration Plate: | 05 |
| Blank Name: | ONS code |
| Blank Info: | 0501 |
| Blank1 Name: | Climate |
| Blank1 Info: | BSk |
Batna (Arabic: باتنة, ar|Bātnah, Berber languages: Tbatent) is the main city and commune of Batna Province, Algeria. With a population of 290,645 (2008 census)[1] it is the fifth largest city in Algeria. It is also one of the principal cities of the Chaoui area and is considered the capital of Aurès.
Batna was inhabited by Chaoui tribes and there were previous settlements in the area but they were in ruins by the 18th century. The first solid foundations (a military encampment) of the city were erected by a French garrison in 1844, with a strategic mission to create a permanently guarded access point for the main Sahara road.Batna's geographical location offers a natural break through the Atlas Mountains. The ancient cities of Timgad and Lambese, built around the first century CE, are living examples of the importance that the Romans gave to commercial control over the region.
The inhabitants of the city revolted against the French authorities at the beginning of colonization. Thereafter they organized the Algerian revolution against French colonialism.
The first Batneens adhered to Messali Hadj (PPP), as did the Ulemas Ben Badis and the Movement for the Triumph of Democratic Freedoms (MTLD), and together they organized the great historic summit of 22, June 25, 1954.
The Algerian revolution started at Batna under the chairmanship of Batnéen Mustapha Benboulaïd (FLN). Batna was the first military region of Algeria (zone 1) (1954–1962).
On the night of November 1, 1954, the barracks of the city of Batna were attacked by the mujahedeen. Batna was the command headquarters of the Algerian revolution until independence.[2]
See main article: 2007 Batna bombing.
On September 6, 2007, Batna saw a massive Al-Qaeda suicide bombing. The bombing, which took place shortly before the visit of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, resulted in approximately 15–20[3] [4] deaths and 107[5] injuries as the bomber detonated his device among a crowd waiting to see the President,[6] who was at the end of a three-day tour of eastern Algeria.[7] The bombings were condemned by the UN Security Council.
| Year | Population[8] | |
|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 6,900 | |
| 1926 | 10,300 | |
| 1931 | 13,600 | |
| 1936 | 15,500 | |
| 1948 | 21,700 | |
| 1954 | 26,400 | |
| 1966 | 54,900 | |
| 1974 | 115,100 | |
| 1977 | 102,800 | |
| 1987 | 181,600 | |
| 1998 | 246,800 |
Located in the Aurès Mountains (part of the Atlas Mountains), at 1048m (3,438feet) above sea level, Batna has a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk) with Mediterranean influences and an average annual precipitation of 326mm. Summers are moderately hot (by Saharan standards) and dry and winters are chilly and wetter, with the possibility of snowfall.
Many entertainment resorts are spread across the town. Regarding sports activities the most important destinations are the 1st November Stadium (Stade du premier Novembre), and Seffouhi Stadium, which is used mainly for soccer clubs and festivals (CAB & MSPB are the biggest teams in the city), in addition to the Scholar Stadium. For cultural activities there is the French: Théâtre régional de Batna, and also a municipal Cultural House, which is located behind the Prefecture and covers many cultural and educational activities, in addition to the Islamic Cultural Center in the heart of the city and the Youth House in Cite Ennaser. For children, an attraction park is located in Kechida, which is approximately a ten-minute drive from the downtown area.
With regard to nightlife, due to some religious and cultural limitations, there are almost no night clubs in the city. However, the existing nightlife is concentrated in the heart of the city, around Les allées Benboulaïd and "STAND" areas, especially during summer break. Downtown Batna has plenty of cafés, traditional restaurants (Chouwaya) or GARGOUTTIER, Pizzerias, French and oriental bakeries, and a limited number of luxury restaurants. Many festivities take place in allées Ben Boulaïd area, mainly in the season of International Timgad Festival (usually between 4–15 July every year). The most attractive exciting places surrounding the city are, Lambese (also called Lambaesis), Timgad, Ghoufi, Chelaalaa, and Belezma National Park.
The city is home to two notable football clubs: CA Batna and MSP Batna. Both play at the 1 November 1954 Stadium.
The city has Aurès Aviation flight school.