Annaba

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Coordinates: 36°54′N 7°46′E Annaba (ِArabic عنّابة, formerly Bône) is a city in the north-eastern corner of Algeria near the river Wadi Seybouse and the Tunisian border. It is located in the Annaba Province. It has a population of 348.554 (1998 census).

1 History
2 Education
3 Transportation
4 External links

[edit] History

See Hippo Regius for Classical and Ecclesiastical history

Annaba has provided evidence of remarkable workmanship in tool-making as early as 30,000 BC. Early remnants of hominid occupation have been found in Ain el Hanech, near Saïda (ca. 200,000 B.C.). Later, Neandertal tool makers produced hand axes in the Levalloisian and Mousterian styles (ca. 43,000 B.C.) similar to those in the Levant. According to some sources, prehistoric Algeria was the site of the highest state of development of Middle Paleolithic flake-tool techniques. Tools of this era, starting about 30,000 B.C., are called Aterian (after the site Bir el Ater), south of Annaba in the north-eastern corner of Algeria. These tools are marked by a high standard of workmanship, great variety, and specialization. See Prehistory of Central North Africa.

Annaba, which was called Hippo Regius during Roman times, was probably established by the Phoenicians in the 12th century BC. It was a centre of early Christianity. Augustine of Hippo was bishop here from 396 until 430. The city has Christian, Muslim and Roman buildings.

During French rule the city was known as Bône, and was one of the main European settlements with a sizeable pied-noir minority. One famous pied-noir from Bône was Alphonse Juin, a Marshal of France and a former NATO Central Europe Commander.

[edit] Education

One of Annaba's most notable institutes is Annaba University. As of 2004, there are over 40,000 students enrolled.

[edit] Transportation

Annaba is served by Rabah Bitat Airport. It is an international airport and is represented by the IATA airport code AAE. It also has an excellent intercity road infrastructure, and bus services running fairly often between the Wilaya capital and other cities. There is a railway network connecting Annaba to Oran via Constantine and Algiers. Some local trains are also available.