Your Algeria blog 2012-01-30T01:52:05-06:00 DotClear daily 1 2012-01-30T01:52:05-06:00 2012-01-30T01:52:05-06:00 2012-01-30T01:52:05-06:00 http://www.algeria.com/blog/algerian-author-rachid-boudjedra Editor Features

With his very first novel, La Répudiation, award winning Algerian writer, Rachid Boudjedra, gained a reputation for his explicit language and being outspoken in his views of Muslim traditionalism. In the literary world, he was hailed as a leader in what was seen as a new movement of experimental fiction. La Répudiation, which is said to reflect his difficult childhood, was banned in Algeria at the time of its release in 1969. Due to concerns for his safety, the author lived in France for a number of years, later moving to Rabat in Morocco, where he remained until 1975, before returning to his home country.

With his very first novel, La Répudiation, award winning Algerian writer, Rachid Boudjedra, gained a reputation for his explicit language and being outspoken in his views of Muslim traditionalism. In the literary world, he was hailed as a leader in what was seen as a new movement of experimental fiction. La Répudiation, which is said to reflect his difficult childhood, was banned in Algeria at the time of its release in 1969. Due to concerns for his safety, the author lived in France for a number of years, later moving to Rabat in Morocco, where he remained until 1975, before returning to his home country. 2012-01-16T03:45:19-06:00 2012-01-16T03:45:19-06:00 http://www.algeria.com/blog/maghnia-commercial-hub-of-wadi-tafna Editor Features

Formerly known as Marnia, the town of Maghnia is located in the Tlemcen Province of northwestern Algeria, just thirteen kilometers east of the border between Algeria and Morocco. One of Morocco's most important road networks, the National Route 6 (more commonly referred to as the N6) connects Maghnia with major centers in Algeria's neighboring country. Maghnia is the second largest and most important town in the province, with the town of Tlemcen being the capital and chief commercial center of the province.

Formerly known as Marnia, the town of Maghnia is located in the Tlemcen Province of northwestern Algeria, just thirteen kilometers east of the border between Algeria and Morocco. One of Morocco's most important road networks, the National Route 6 (more commonly referred to as the N6) connects Maghnia with major centers in Algeria's neighboring country. Maghnia is the second largest and most important town in the province, with the town of Tlemcen being the capital and chief commercial center of the province. 2012-01-02T05:00:56-06:00 2012-01-02T05:00:56-06:00 http://www.algeria.com/blog/algeria-hosts-womens-olympic-volleyball-qualifying-tournament Editor Features

With competing in the 2012 London Olympic Games as their ultimate goal, the Algerian women's volleyball team is sure to be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming African Olympic Qualification Tournament set to take place from 27 January through to 5 February in the Algerian city of Blida. The winners of the African Olympic Qualification Tournament will compete against teams from the United States, Italy and China that qualified during the 2011 FIVB Women’s World Cup held in Japan late last year. Qualifying tournaments will also take place in Europe, Asia, North America and South America.

With competing in the 2012 London Olympic Games as their ultimate goal, the Algerian women's volleyball team is sure to be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming African Olympic Qualification Tournament set to take place from 27 January through to 5 February in the Algerian city of Blida. The winners of the African Olympic Qualification Tournament will compete against teams from the United States, Italy and China that qualified during the 2011 FIVB Women’s World Cup held in Japan late last year. Qualifying tournaments will also take place in Europe, Asia, North America and South America. 2011-12-19T07:58:11-06:00 2011-12-19T07:58:11-06:00 http://www.algeria.com/blog/visit-the-ancient-city-of-mascara Editor Features

As the capital of the Mascara Province in the north of Algeria, the city of Mascara (also spelled Maskara) is home to around 150,000 people according to a 2008 estimate. It is the administrative center of the province, as well as being a busy trading hub. As is the case with many ancient Algerian cities, Mascara has two distinctly different parts – the older Muslim quarters and the newer French quarters. The ruins of the city's ancient ramparts are still evident, with most of the town falling within the borders of these structures that once served as a protection against invading enemies.

As the capital of the Mascara Province in the north of Algeria, the city of Mascara (also spelled Maskara) is home to around 150,000 people according to a 2008 estimate. It is the administrative center of the province, as well as being a busy trading hub. As is the case with many ancient Algerian cities, Mascara has two distinctly different parts – the older Muslim quarters and the newer French quarters. The ruins of the city's ancient ramparts are still evident, with most of the town falling within the borders of these structures that once served as a protection against invading enemies. 2011-12-05T05:36:52-06:00 2011-12-05T05:36:52-06:00 http://www.algeria.com/blog/miliana-picturesque-setting-and-ancient-history Editor Features

The town of Miliana, located in the Ain Defla Province of northwestern Algeria, overlooks the Zaccar plateau from its position on the wooded southern flank of Mount Zaccar Rherbi. The seven hundred kilometer long Chelif River passes just five kilometers to the south of Miliana as it winds its way from the Saharan Atlas and travels through the Tell Atlas, before emptying into the azure Mediterranean Sea just north of the port city of Mustaghanam. The magnificent Dahra Massif is located to the north of Miliana.

The town of Miliana, located in the Ain Defla Province of northwestern Algeria, overlooks the Zaccar plateau from its position on the wooded southern flank of Mount Zaccar Rherbi. The seven hundred kilometer long Chelif River passes just five kilometers to the south of Miliana as it winds its way from the Saharan Atlas and travels through the Tell Atlas, before emptying into the azure Mediterranean Sea just north of the port city of Mustaghanam. The magnificent Dahra Massif is located to the north of Miliana. 2011-11-21T08:50:46-06:00 2011-11-21T08:50:46-06:00 http://www.algeria.com/blog/kahina-legendary-leader Editor Features

A statue of a woman standing upright, with her right arm raised in an arc above her head is one of the attractions in the city of Khenchela, the capital city of the province of the same name located in the Aurès Mountains of northeast Algeria. The statue depicts Daya Ult Yenfaq Tajrawt Dihyā, more commonly referred to simply as Dihya or Kahina. While scholars may dispute some of the facts of her life, her considerable influence was evident during the 7th century as Kahina, in her role as a Berber military and religious leader, led the indigenous peoples of Numidia to resist Arab expansion in the region.

A statue of a woman standing upright, with her right arm raised in an arc above her head is one of the attractions in the city of Khenchela, the capital city of the province of the same name located in the Aurès Mountains of northeast Algeria. The statue depicts Daya Ult Yenfaq Tajrawt Dihyā, more commonly referred to simply as Dihya or Kahina. While scholars may dispute some of the facts of her life, her considerable influence was evident during the 7th century as Kahina, in her role as a Berber military and religious leader, led the indigenous peoples of Numidia to resist Arab expansion in the region. 2011-11-02T09:37:15-05:00 2011-11-02T09:37:15-05:00 http://www.algeria.com/blog/algeria-s-historic-hammadid-dynasty Editor Features

In a period of North African history during which dynasties rose and fell, overlapped one another, or the strong displaced those less strong, the Hammadids ruled an area now known as north-eastern Algeria for around one and a half centuries, from 1008 to 1152. This Berber dynasty rose to power under Hammad ibn Buluggin, who had been given authority over central Maghreb. Soon after becoming the leader of this portion of the Maghreb – a historical region covering Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Mauritania and Western Sahara - Hammad ibn Buluggin declared himself independent of the Zirid dynasty, which at the time ruled the portion of the Maghreb stretching from Morocco to Tunisia.

In a period of North African history during which dynasties rose and fell, overlapped one another, or the strong displaced those less strong, the Hammadids ruled an area now known as north-eastern Algeria for around one and a half centuries, from 1008 to 1152. This Berber dynasty rose to power under Hammad ibn Buluggin, who had been given authority over central Maghreb. Soon after becoming the leader of this portion of the Maghreb – a historical region covering Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Mauritania and Western Sahara - Hammad ibn Buluggin declared himself independent of the Zirid dynasty, which at the time ruled the portion of the Maghreb stretching from Morocco to Tunisia. 2011-10-26T09:26:31-05:00 2011-10-26T09:26:31-05:00 http://www.algeria.com/blog/mouloud-mammeri-writer-linguist-and-anthropologist Editor Miscellaneous

Known for his outstanding work as an Algerian Kabyle writer, linguist and anthropologist, Mouloud Mammeri's four published novels are said to represent four distinctive time periods in Algerian history. His first novel La Colline oubliée (The Forgotten Hill) speaks of the unrest of the 1940s which prompted many to leave the country; Le Sommeil du juste (Sleep of the Just) tells of the experiences of Algerians in their new country and their later return; L'opium et le baton (Opium and the Stick) discusses the war of liberation and its effect on a village in the Kabyle mountains; and La Traversée (The Crossing) focuses on the period after independence from France in 1962.

Known for his outstanding work as an Algerian Kabyle writer, linguist and anthropologist, Mouloud Mammeri's four published novels are said to represent four distinctive time periods in Algerian history. His first novel La Colline oubliée (The Forgotten Hill) speaks of the unrest of the 1940s which prompted many to leave the country; Le Sommeil du juste (Sleep of the Just) tells of the experiences of Algerians in their new country and their later return; L'opium et le baton (Opium and the Stick) discusses the war of liberation and its effect on a village in the Kabyle mountains; and La Traversée (The Crossing) focuses on the period after independence from France in 1962. 2011-10-19T08:19:04-05:00 2011-10-19T08:19:04-05:00 http://www.algeria.com/blog/tell-atlas-town-of-tiaret Editor Travel

With numerous megalithic monuments found in the province, Tiaret has a long history of being inhabited. The town of Tiaret is built on a site that was originally established as a Roman station or rest stop for traders, travelers and armies of ancient times. Located around 150 kilometers from the Mediterranean coastline southwest of Algiers, Tiaret is in the Tell Atlas region of the central highlands of Algeria. The name Tiaret means "station" in a local Berber dialect, no doubt a reference to the original purpose of its existence.

With numerous megalithic monuments found in the province, Tiaret has a long history of being inhabited. The town of Tiaret is built on a site that was originally established as a Roman station or rest stop for traders, travelers and armies of ancient times. Located around 150 kilometers from the Mediterranean coastline southwest of Algiers, Tiaret is in the Tell Atlas region of the central highlands of Algeria. The name Tiaret means "station" in a local Berber dialect, no doubt a reference to the original purpose of its existence. 2011-10-12T08:59:23-05:00 2011-10-12T08:59:23-05:00 http://www.algeria.com/blog/the-aures-mountains-of-algeria Editor Features

As an extension of the Atlas Mountains, the Aurès Mountains are located to the east of the Saharan Atlas, stretching from eastern Algeria into northwestern Tunisia. The highest peak of the Aurès Mountains, Djebel Chélia, measures 2,328 meters and is found in Algeria's Kenchela Province. The Aurès has rugged cliffs to the north, and fertile valleys to the south, with the highest peaks dusted with snow in the winter months. While not being as tall as Morocco's Grand Atlas Mountains, the Aurès Mountains are more prominent than the Tell Atlas Mountains which run parallel to the coastline.

As an extension of the Atlas Mountains, the Aurès Mountains are located to the east of the Saharan Atlas, stretching from eastern Algeria into northwestern Tunisia. The highest peak of the Aurès Mountains, Djebel Chélia, measures 2,328 meters and is found in Algeria's Kenchela Province. The Aurès has rugged cliffs to the north, and fertile valleys to the south, with the highest peaks dusted with snow in the winter months. While not being as tall as Morocco's Grand Atlas Mountains, the Aurès Mountains are more prominent than the Tell Atlas Mountains which run parallel to the coastline.