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Mostaganem
Arabic:
mustaghānim
City in north-western Algeria with 150,000 inhabitants (2005 estimate), situated on the Mediterranean Sea, on the Gulf of Arzew which is a part of the Mediterranean Sea.
It is the capital of Mostaganem province with 710,000 inhabitants (2005 estimate) and an area of 2,175 km².
Mostaganem is the centre of an agricultural region and it also has some industries. Its agriculture specializes in cereals, vegetables, wine, tobacco and cotton. The industries produce sugar, paper-pulp, cement, cordage, electric equipment, furniture, cigarettes and flour products. There is also extraction of diatomite in the region.
Mostaganem is connected to other urban centres by road alone. Oran lies 70 km to the west.
The city is divided into two parts by a ravine of the seasonal river, Aïn Sefra. To the southwest lie the modern quarters, and to the northeast, the old Muslim city which is called Tidgit. There is also an 11th century Almoravid citadel. The coast line has both port facilities and, to the southwest, attractive beaches.
Mostaganem has a university centre.
HISTORY
11th century: Founded and named Murustuge.
1516: Captured by the pirate, Barbarossa, and becomes central in sea piracy in the Mediterranean Sea, but also as a successful commercial port (see Barbary pirates and Barbary Coast).
17th century: Comes under Ottoman rule, leading to decline.
1833: The French take over the city, establishing a garrison here.
1962: Along with the rest of the country, it becomes part of independent Algeria.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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