Biskra بسكرة ⴱⵉⵙⴽⵔⴰ |
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City | |
Biskra skyline
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Location in Algeria | |
Coordinates: 34°51′N 5°44′E / 34.850°N 5.733°E | |
Country | Algeria |
Province | Biskra Province |
District | Biskra District |
Area | |
• Total | 127.55 km2 (49.25 sq mi) |
Elevation | 87 m (285 ft) |
Population (2007) | |
• Total | 307,987 |
• Density | 2,400/km2 (6,300/sq mi) |
Time zone | +1 (UTC+1) |
Postal code | 07000 |
Climate | BWh |
Coordinates: 34°51′N 5°44′E / 34.850°N 5.733°EBiskra (Arabic: بسكرة ; Berber: Tibeskert) is the capital city of Biskra Province, Algeria. In 2007, its population was recorded as 307,987.
During Roman times the town was called Vescera, though this may have been simply a Latin transliteration of the native name. Around 200 AD under Septimius Severus' reign, it was seized by the Romans and became part of the province of Numidia. As a major settlement in the border region, it was significant even then. Its name was apparently bowdlerized by the Romans to Ad Piscīnam ("at the piscīna"), implying the presence of important waterworks. A significant portion of the inhabitants descend from the Arab bedouin tribe of Banu Hilal, others are mainly Chaoui Berbers.