Khenchla

Khenchela Xencelt / ⵅⴻⵏⵛⴻⵍⵜ / خنشلة
City
City of Khenchela
North view of the town.
Location of Khenchela within Khenchela Province
Khenchela Location of Khenchela within Algeria
Coordinates: 35°25′N 7°8′E / 35.417°N 7.133°E / 35.417; 7.133Coordinates: 35°25′N 7°8′E / 35.417°N 7.133°E / 35.417; 7.133
Country	Algeria
Province	Khenchela (seat)
District	Khenchela (coextensive)
Government
• PMA Seats	33
Elevation	1,200 m (3,900 ft)
Population (2008 census)
• Total	114,472
Time zone	CET (UTC+01)
Postal code	40000
ONS code	4001
Climate	Csb

Khenchela ancient Mascula (Berber: Xencelt or Maskult; Arabic: خنشلة) is the capital city of the administrative Khenchela Province (Wilaya), number 40, in the north east of Algeria. Situated in the Aures Mountains, 1200 m above sea level. The city is mainly populated by Berber Chaouis.

Located in the Aurès Mountains (part of the Atlas Mountains), at 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) above sea level, Khenchela has a cool Mediterranean climate, with an average annual precipitation of 446 millimetres (17.6 in). Summers are warm and dry and winters are chilly and wetter, with the possibility of snowfall. This climate is described by the Köppen climate classification as Csb.

This is one of the coldest cities in Algeria.

Queen Kahina led a decades long war against the Islamic conquest in the 7th century, and she built a castle here. During the Barbary period there were many inter town conflict over water resources.

The French army reached Khenchela in 1850 after heavy fighting and more strenuous resistance and set up a military administration. organization of work of the city were undertaken. The first French settlers were allowed from 1878. Farms were built and made plantations. The valley of Wadi Boughegal débroussaillée déroncée and gave birth to natural grasslands, allowing cattle breeding and feeding the population in fresh dairy products (milk, butter, cheese).

In October 1905, the inauguration of the line of Railway Ain Beida in Khenchela meter gauge will provide a daily service with the North. Military administration lasted until 1912.