Jijel

Geography

Jijel is situated 30 km from Taza National Park; this national park and other vicinity features support a variety of flora and fauna. It is an important habitat for the endangered Barbary macaque, Macaca sylvanus.

Climate

Jijel has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Csa in the Köppen climate classification).

| Jan record high C = 26.5 | Feb record high C = 28.5 | Mar record high C = 36.0 | Apr record high C = 34.3 | May record high C = 39.7 | Jun record high C = 42.8 | Jul record high C = 46.7 | Aug record high C = 44.8 | Sep record high C = 43.6 | Oct record high C = 40.0 | Nov record high C = 32.7 | Dec record high C = 28.0 | year record high C = 46.7

| Jan record low C = -0.1 | Feb record low C = -0.1 | Mar record low C = 1.5 | Apr record low C = 3.2 | May record low C = 3.8 | Jun record low C = 9.0 | Jul record low C = 13.0 | Aug record low C = 14.5 | Sep record low C = 11.1 | Oct record low C = 8.3 | Nov record low C = 3.5 | Dec record low C = 1.7 | year record low C = -0.1

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230927165422/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Algeria/CSV/JijelAeroport_60351.csv | archive-date = 27 September 2023 | access-date = 27 September 2023}}

History

Main article: Igilgili

Originally Phoenician, Igilgili passed to the Carthaginians, the Roman Republic and Empire, the Vandals, the Byzantines, the Umayyads, the Genovese, and the Ottomans. It was conquered for the last time in the 16th century by Hayreddin Barbarossa.

In the book Al-Istibsar fi 'agaib al-Amsar, written in the late 12th century, the author describes the city as:

"It is an ancient city on the sea, with an old wall that extends into the sea, and it has great strategic significance. The city is abundant in grapes, apples, and fruits. From it, fruits, grapes, and debes are carried to the city of Béjaïa. On this city stands Mount Ketama, known as Mount Zaldwa, a very fertile area with many Berber tribes. It was here that the call of Abdullah al-Da‘i took place. Between Jijel and Béjaïa, on the coast, there is a place called Al-Mansuriyya, with a great mountain above it."

In July 1664, the French took the city. Resistance was organised under the direction of Shaban Aga and the French were driven out in October of the same year. Jijel remained a corsair stronghold until recaptured by the French in 1839. Strong local resistance, finally subdued in 1851, resulted in the construction of three forts along its southern fringe as well as minimal colonisation. The original town was devastated by an earthquake in 1856.

Communications

Due to the rugged landscape, Jijel is slightly isolated. However, it is connected by road to large cities like Bejaïa (90 km west), Setif (135 km southwest) and Constantine (150 km southeast). The city also has its own airport Jijel Ferhat Abbas Airport.

Infrastructure

Jijel is built along modern patterns with wide streets framed by trees. The surroundings consist largely of dense cork-oak forest. A peninsula lies right out from the coast and there is a citadel to the north. There is a hospital, previously a Catholic church (which was demolished), mosques and University of Jijel.

Port

A relatively new port has been built at Djen Djen, approximately 7 miles east of Jijel, which can handle large bulk carriers having a draft up to 18.2m. Presently, the port is mainly used by car carriers and break bulk vessels.

Sources

• C. Michael Hogan. 2008. Barbary Macaque: Macaca sylvanus, GlobalTwitcher.com, ed. Nicklas Stromberg
• Encyclopædia Britannica. 2002. Edition 15, v. 6 ,
• Enterprise Portuaire de Djen Djen. 2009. Port Authority Website

References

References

1. "Ra's Afia". Ministere des Travaux Publics.
2. {{Cite rowlett. dzae
3. {{cite ngall. 113. 2015
4. C. Michael Hogan. 2008
5. كتاب الاستبصار في عجائب الأمصار، لكاتب مراكشي من كتاب القرن السادس الهجري، نشر وتعليق: سعد زغلول عبد الحميد.  الدار البيضاء، دار النشر المغربية 1985
6. Enterprise Portuaire de Djen Djen. 2009