El Kantara Explained

Official Name:El Kantara
القنطرة
Mapsize:180px
Pushpin Map:Algeria
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Mapsize:300
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Algeria
Subdivision Name1:Biskra Province
Subdivision Type2:Capital
Unit Pref:Imperial
Population As Of:1998
Utc Offset:+1
Coordinates:35.2166°N 5.7104°W

El Kantara (El Kantara "الكنترة" word comes from Latin "Centuriation" (Derja: meaning a bridge) [1] [2]) is a town and commune in Biskra Province, Algeria. The 1911 Baedeker travel guide described it as "one of the most important caravan-stations in E. Algeria." The town is well known for the eponymous gorge nearby, described by locals as the "Mouth of the Desert".[3]

The gorge is narrow, at only 40m (130feet) wide, but the walls can be as high as 120m (390feet).

History

Roman soldiers of the Third Augustan Legion dubbed the gorge Calceus Herculis (English: Hercules' Kick), in reference to the divine hero Hercules' legendary strength. They also constructed an arched bridge over the river in the bottom of the gorge, in order to allow caravans and military supplies to pass through the town with ease.

In the second century A.D., the town and bridge were guarded by Syrian archers who are thought to have planted the first date palm grove in the region.

Present infrastructure

A highway and railroad follow the same path as the ancient Roman road through the town.

Notable people

External links

35.2253°N 5.7064°W

Les grandes Familles d'origine Arabe d'El Kantara sont : ABDELAZIZE, BELLAL, HOUFANI, KHIREDDINE, SAADLAOUD, SOURI, YOUB et ZEROUG.Le reste des familles sont d'origine Berbère.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: صول الزراعة في بلاد المغرب القديم .
  2. Book: Natural Wonders of the World. Reader's Digest Association, Inc. 1980. 0-89577-087-3. Scheffel. Richard L.. United States of America. 197–198. Wernet. Susan J..
  3. Web site: The Ravine, I, El Cantara, Algeria . . 1899 . 2013-09-26 .