M'Sila Province

M'Sila Province ولاية المسيلة
—  Province  —
Map of Algeria highlighting M'Sila
Coordinates: 35°42′N 4°33′E / 35.7°N 4.55°E / 35.7; 4.55Coordinates: 35°42′N 4°33′E / 35.7°N 4.55°E / 35.7; 4.55
Country	Algeria
Capital	M'Sila
Government
– PPA president
– Wāli
Area
– Total	18,718 km2 (7,227.1 sq mi)
Population (2008)[1]
– Total	991,846
– Density	53/km2 (137.2/sq mi)
Time zone	CET (UTC+01)
Area Code	+213 (0) 35
ISO 3166 code	DZ-28
Districts	15
Municipalities	47

M'Sila (also spelled Msila, M'sila or MSila) (Arabic: ولاية المسيلة‎) is a province (wilaya) of northern Algeria. It has a population of 1 million people and an area of 18,718 km², while its capital, also called M'sila, home to M'Sila University, has a population of about 100,000. Some localities in this wilaya are Bou Saada and Maadid. Chott El Hodna, a salt lake, crosses into M'Sila. However, most of the region is semi-arid and undeveloped.

M'Sila is primarily known for its farming.

Additionally, M'Sila was the location of the first village constructed as part of a government-run program to transition nomadic Algerians to sedentary life using local materials. The village, now complete, was dubbed Maader and consists of houses, public and trading areas, and a mosque.

Administrative divisions

The province is divided into 15 districts (daïras), which are further divided into 47 communes or municipalities.

Districts

1. Aïn El Hadjel
2. Aïn El Melh
3. Ben S'Rour
4. Bou Saâda
5. Chellal
6. Djebel Messaâd
7. Hammam Dhalaâ
8. Khoubana
9. M'Sila
10. Magra
11. Medjedel
12. Ouled Derradj
13. Ouled Sidi Brahim
14. Sidi Aïssa
15. Sidi Ameur

Communes

1. Aïn El Hadjel 2. Aïn El Melh 3. Aïn Errich 4. Aïn Fares 5. Aïn Khadra 6. Belaïba 7. Ben Srour 8. Beni Ilmane 9. Benzouh 10. Berhoum 11. Bir Foda 12. Bou-Saâda

13. Bouti Sayeh 14. Chellal 15. Dehahna 16. Djebel Messaad 17. El Hamel 18. El Houamed 19. Hammam Dhalaa 20. Khoubana 21. Khatouti Sed Eldjir 22. Maadid 23. Maarif 24. Magra

25. M'Cif 26. Medjedel 27. M'Sila 28. M'Tarfa 29. Menaa 30. Mohamed Boudiaf 31. Ouanougha 32. Ouled Addi Guebala 33. Ouled Derraj 34. Ouled Madhi 35. Ouled Mansour 36. Ouled Sidi Brahim

37. Ouled Slimane 38. Oultene 39. Sidi Aïssa 40. Sidi Ameur 41. Sidi Hadjeres 42. Sidi M'hamed 43. Slim 44. Souamaa 45. Tamsa 46. Tarmount 47. Zarzour

The districts and communes of the province of M'Sila

References

1. ^ Office National des Statistiques, Recensement General de la Population et de l’Habitat 2008 Preliminary results of the 2008 population census. Accessed on 2008-07-02.

External links

• Encycloepaedia of the Orient-a brief description of M'Sila, focusing on its capital
• BBC - a news article about some recent violence in M'Sila
• Archnet - focuses on the Maader village project
• Wetlands International - an in-depth description of M'Sila's wetland