Mostaganem (, ) is a Mediterranean sea port and capital city of Mostaganem province, in the northwest of Algeria in the Gulf of Arzew. Founded in the 11th century as Murustage, the city is ENE of Oran and has origins dating back to Punic and Roman times. In 1516, it was captured by the Ottoman admiral Barbarossa and became a center for Mediterranean Sea corsairs, as well as a commercial port. By 1700, it had come under Ottoman rule. In 1833, the city was taken by France and a garrison established. Algeria became independent in 1962. It is the second-largest city in the country's northwest, after Oran, and Algeria's fourth-largest port city with 406,190 inhabitants as of the 2019 census.

Mostaganem is home to the medical provider and college, the University of Mostaganem which was established in 1979. The university is referred to locally as the University of Abdelhamid Ibn Badis (UMAB). The name is taken from Abdelhamid Ibn Badis who is a popular figure of Muslim reform movements in Algeria. The university offers curricula from bachelor's to doctorates in computer science as well as a medical doctorate.

The city's major sports teams are ESA Mostaganem, and WA Mostaganem. Both are Algerian football teams and both play in the Mohamed Bensaïd Stadium.

Etymology

Mostaganem is said to correspond to the ancient Punic port of Murustaga. It is claimed that after becoming part of the Roman Empire, it was renamed to Cartennae under the emperor Gallienus (253–268). However, according to academics, Cartennae (or Cartenna or Cartennas) is modern Ténès, a town 50 km to the east of Mostaganem. Murustaga is the name by which the town was known when it became a Christian bishopric, and by which it is referred to in the Catholic Church's list of episcopal sees.

History

thumb|alt=The coasts of Mostaganem in Piri Reis's book Kitab-ı Bahriye|The coasts of Mostaganem in Piri Reis's book the [[Kitab-ı Bahriye|left|328x328px]]

The town was ruled by the Zirid dynasty between 973 and 1146. Then, it was conquered by the Almoravid dynasty, and reached its high point of power under Yusuf ibn Tashfin (c. 1061–1106). Mostaganem was later ruled by the Zayyanid dynasty of Tlemcen and it was conquered again by the Marinid dynasty of Fes. After that the Zayyanid dynasty took control of the city again.

In the 16th century, the town resisted a Spanish invasion and came under the power of the Ottoman Hayreddin Barbarossa.

Geography

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The city of Mostaganem is divided by the ravine of the Wadi Ain Sefra (River) . Mostaganem is considered to consist of two regions, the modern Eastern quarter, and Western quarter with the old Muslim city, Tidgit. The port and beaches occupy the south. The Ain Safra River flooded the city of Mostaganem in 1900. Though recently, the Cheliff River flooding has caused property damage and loss of life notably in 2000, 2001, 2010, and 2017. thumb|Sidi Lakhdar beach.|none|322x322pxThe city has expanded three times its size between 1962 and 2004, claiming of coastal zone. This growth in combination with agricultural and industrial activities have caused environmental concerns. Amusement Park, commercial district, religious heritage sites, and beaches.

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Climate

Mostaganem has a mild Mediterranean climates (Köppen climate classification Csa). In winter there is more rainfall than in summer. The average annual temperature in Mostaganem is . About of precipitation falls annually.

Present situation

In 2010, a tunnel under the city and toward the city center was completed to change traffic flow significantly. Also, new buildings, some modern and some in colonial style, are being added to this growing city. The new autoroute from the capital Algiers towards Oran will make it easier also to access Mostaganem by road from the capital, as Mostaganem has no public airport. The road connecting Oran (around 80&nbsp;km from Mostaganem to the west) will remain the same, a crowded 2 lane in each direction highway.

The port of Mostaganem is being used for unloading of all sorts of cargo, ranging from provisions to cars and pipelines. As in most ports of Algeria, it is not allowed to sailors to exit the port and visit the city. The port is being shared by large transport vessels and fishing boats alike. A new, smaller port for fishing boats has been constructed, but is currently not used.thumb|El Arsa

Notable people

  • Louis Franchet d'Espèrey, French general, was born in Mostaganem in 1856.
  • Sheikh Hamada, musician.
  • Muhammad ibn Ali as-Senussi, poet.
  • Mohamed Chouikh, cinema director.
  • Ahmad al-Alawi, notable religious figures of the 20th century was also born and later buried in Mostaganem.
  • Alain-Julien Rudefoucauld, French writer and playwright was born in Mostaganem in 1950.
  • Abdelkader Ouali (born 1952), politician.

See also

  • Mostaganem Airport
  • Mostaganem Tramway

References

  • Mostaganem dz by Mohammed Abbassa
  • History and old postcards of Algeria
  • Annals of Heritage (Journal of the University)
  • Mostaganem pictures and many things by S. Benhenda
  • Mostaganem Its History, Photograph, Current events, Culture, Geography