Beni Saf

Beni Saf is a coastal town of Algérie, located in the Wilaya of Ain Témouchent, which owes its existence thanks to the Iron ore, exploited as of the Antiquité. The “saf-safs”, so called Trembles S or false poplars, which pushed on banks of the Ahmed wadi, would be at the origin of the name of Beni Saf. The popular communal assembly, body elected for five years, currently counts 11 members.

It is the town of birth of Bernard-Henri Levy and Jean Sénac.

History

Prehistory

The Acheuléen S could cut in the Silex sharp objects. One found some at Beni Saf, but the most interesting specimens of this time were collected in the old lake Karrar, close to Remchi, to 40 km in the north of Beni Saf.

The last of the Ibéromaurusien S which leave traces with Taount, Tadmaya, close to Takembrit and to Beni Saf install on the island of Rachgoun and the islands Habibas (east coast). The inhabitants of the littoral make pottery and cut the stone to manufacture weapons and instruments, but they can also polish it, as they do it for this axe found during the digging of the wearing of Beni Saf.

On the Berbères Numides which live the country before the installation of the Carthaginois, one does not have any document, it reached us only of the fragmentary traces of oral tradition.

Antiquity

The discovery of Pottery S and coins Phénicie with the mouth of Tafna, the island of Rachgoun and on the plate of Ouled-Boudjemâa, attests that Phéniciens founded in the surroundings of the current city of Beni Saf one their counters of exchanges.

The ruins of the old Roman city of Siga whose site had been selected for its strategic importance and the high content in cereals of the countryside around, prove that the Roman presence in the area was deep. Siga was to be a considerable city since one allots a population of more to him than: 30000 inhabitants. Beni Saf belongs to these coastal towns associated with the history with the Mediterranean; it kept the one time old traces rich in migration and a flourishing civilization of commercial exchanges with the the Middle East and the Iberian peninsula.

According to certain geographers, the area of Beni Saf would have known displacements of population and would have been the seat of stopovers phenicians.

Then the name of Siga is found at the 7th century with Archgoul (called today commonly Rachgoun), ancient Siga which takes again life with the rebuilding of the city Idrisside on the Roman ruins.

The excavations undertaken on the territory of the communes of Beni Saf, Oulhaça and Honaïne make it possible to reconstitute one fertile time in migrations which extends over 4 centuries (of 250 av. with 104 a. J.C.) if we refer to the last archaeological discoveries. Are to be quoted:

the island of Rachgoun, punic counter ]]
Siga, citadel and river port, capital chosen by Syphax, king of Massaesyles. In 203 av. J.C., Syphax combined with the Carthaginians is overcome and captured. It appears in Rome with the Triumph of Scipion.
the mausoleum of Blessed Ghenane, also called the Dome of Married or “Kerkoub El Araïs”, because the use wanted that the young grooms, followed by the processions of weddings, make the turn ritually of it several times in order to make sure fidelity and perenniality of the hearth.

These sites (Siga and the mausoleum put aside) are especially rich in ceramics deposits. Historical vestiges dating from the time phenician were found in Ghar El Baroud, locality located at approximately 4 km on the heights of Beni Saf. Ghar El Baroud was the place where one manufactured Gunpowder for the troops of the emir Abd El-Kader. According to historians, Siga is placed opposite Málaga (Spain).

This geographical remark implies a traffic between the two ports and confirms the commercial relationship between the shores of Africa and Andalusia.

Arabs

All the Arab geographers mention in their routes the name of Rachgoun. This so called island “Djezirat Archgoul” is not very far away from the coast (: 1800 meters). It extends in length (964 meters) and rises with a 64 meters height at the culminating point, the Phare.

El Bekri calls Archgoul “the city which is vis-a-vis in the island”. According to others, it would be necessary to say “Archgoun”, word for word “rough (or rock) the bay” because the cliffs of this littoral are abrupt. But their descriptions generally mark a confusion which is due to the role allotted to the island drawn up opposite the mouth of Tafna. Some claim it inhabited and equipped with sources and cisterns: it would have to be admitted that the sources dried up because the small island at present does not offer any water resource if not those of the rains.

The island belongs to the sites suggested with the national classification because it constitutes a natural and archaeological site very important. The project of its classification goes back to 1998.

Turks

The Turkish occupation lasts of 1518 with 1830. The administrative organization that the French found during their establishment goes back to 1671, period of the Dey S. the Algérie was divided into three provinces or beylicats with the head of which bey S. were placed the current territory of Beni Saf belonged to the beylick West whose capital was successively Mazouna, Mascara and Oran.

In the area the system of administration of the Turks did not go beyond the collection of tax. It is reported that a column escorted each year a Cadi lawyer and judge with the mouth of Tafna to the place says “Djemaa el Haqq”. Before the French conquest, for the Arab and Turkish period, the area where the commune of Beni Saf was to be created does not present any characteristic which distinguishes it from the other areas of the tribe of Béni Rimane (can be deterioration of the “Roman” word) of which it forms part. The administrative center of the tribe, in fact Mahkama of the cadi, was in Oulhaça Gheraba near Souk El-Tenine.

French

The French occupation lasts of 1830 with 1962, year of the independence of Algeria. The July 5th 1830 takes place the catch of Algiers under Charles X. In France the revolution of July, Charles X is replaced by Louis Philippe, the August 9th 1830. October 1st 1835, the French troops occupy the island of Rachgoun to cut any supply by sea of the town of Tlemcen. After the unloading of the French, a garrison is installed in 1835 in the island of Rachgoun to prevent the English from bringing weapons. Military operations in the area lead in 1837 to the signature of the Traité of Tafna between the emir Abd El-Kader and Bugeaud.

In this same year, the engineer of the French Marine Lieussou proposes the installation of a Mouillage of summer in bay of Tafna, of a beach of unloading, favourable with small the Cabotage and which would facilitate the export of the goods.

In 1850, during an excursion with Rachgoun according to what the historians of the time report, but actually on mission of prospection, which the French geographer Mac Carthy learns and notes the existence of mines worked since Antiquity.

Towards 1860 appear some Europeans come from Spain, either directly after a hazardous crossing, or of Oran occupied a long time by the Spaniards. But it is the discovery in 1865 of ore layers of Fer in Dar-Rih near the current center of Beni Saf which causes the creation of the village on the slopes of the Oued Hammad (or Ahmed).

It is at the time of the installation of the mining company “Mokta El Hadid” which obtained in 1875 concession a 99 years on a surface of more than 400 ha giving him freedom to complete all work useful to its organization, that is founded the village of Beni Saf while starting with the low part of Sidi Boucif.

The commune which belonged initially to the mixed commune of Remchi and bore the name of Douar Rachgoun is then formed in commune of full exercise by an order in Council dated from the March 20th 1883. This decree stipulates in its article 1: The center of European population of Blessed-Saf and the fractions of Blessed Fouzech and of Blessed-Riman, located on Right Bank of Tafna and composing the old tribe of Oulhassa Gheraba, are distracted from the mixed commune of Remchi, they will form in the future in the district of Tlemcen, Département of Oran, a commune of full exercise whose place chief is placed at the village of Blessed-Saf and who will carry the nom. from there

Of 1875 with 1900

The first European populations, of Spanish component in majority, were installed in the low part of Sidi Boucif, a projecting ledge which allowed the establishment of the dwellings North, of the school facilities (nursery school), of the medical infrastructures (infirmary of the mine), of the cultural infrastructures (the village hall), of the places of worship (church, transformed into Mosquée) in the South. The center town (old core) and the port constitute the active and gravitational and economic center of the city. The head office of the mining company Mokta El Hadid was established in the port area. The first populations Algérie used for the hardest work were to settle near the galleries of the mine and with far from the European residential zone. Thus, the strong slope of the site of Boukourdan is their place of establishment.

Of 1900 with 1930

The initially selected site arrives at saturation, because of mining and of the fishing, which reached their cruising speed. The new European populations are thus installed on the Eastern bank of Wadi Sid Ahmed, constituting the current center town, and in the zone of the port.

A starter of urbanization starts thanks to the Algerian population, on the heights of the district called commonly “Plane 2”, diminutive of the topographic term “Plane tilted 2” employee by the mining engineers.

Of 1930 with 1970

Before this period the Talweg S were embanked, which has, thereafter, facilitated as much as possible the connections between the various parts of the site. These fill make it possible to obtain in the center town (that is to say on the Ahmed wadi) a platform favourable with the economic activities of which the height of the frame in general never exceeded the simple ground floor. It is to be noticed that the depression of the three buildings of the City of El Djamila is due to a tangential push of the grounds of fill which are not adapted to support an important weight. It is during this period also that the beach of the wells really urbanizes. In its great part, Boukourdan developed continuously and according to the same typology (precariousness and spontaneousness of construction) of 1900 with 1958. Of 1958 with 1970 the urban push affects the districts of Boukourdan and Sidi Boucif by dwellings of rehousing and especially with the district of “Plan 2” by traditional individual dwellings and the South of the high center by the collective habitat (quoted of El Djamila, for example).

War of independence at our days

The commune of Beni Saf counts more than 300 dead in the war of independence. Several assassinations take place in the neighborhoods of Beni Saf, like those of El Me kadid, Skouna, El Medadha, in 1956, as well as arrests following the general strike proclaimed by FLN in 1957. The brothers Mohamed and Safi Othmani join the rows of ALN in February 1956. The Mohamed, oldest (25 years) dies in the combat in April 1959 in the neighborhoods of Beni Saf, and Safi, youngest (21 years), in Tafna in April 1957. The Chahid Tayeb Zenasni, known as “El Yamani”, joined the ALN in March 1956 and dies in the combat at the 30 years age on November 14th 1957 with El Ançor.

The attack of the Moudjahid of the ALN against the Explosive deposit of S of the company Mokta (Company of the iron mines of Beni Saf), on April 12th, 1956, is the first spectacular action of the ALN at Beni Saf.

El chahîda Safia Benali, known as “Ghania”, gives up its studies of social worker at the 19 years age, to join the rows of the ALN in January 1957 with Madagh, then Boutlélis, Mohammedia, Sidi Ali and Mostaganem; she dies in the combat on March 14th 1959 with El Marsa (Ténès). The chahîd Mohamed Soussi, known as “Galouz”, Fidaï, member of the civil Organization of FLN is stopped in 1956 by the French police force. He is condemned to died the May 17th 1957 by the military tribunal of Oran and is carried out with the Guillotine, the July 2nd 1957 with the central prison of Oran.

However certain European inhabitants of Beni Saf, such as Frantz Fanon or the abbot Albert Berenguer, adopt the Algerian cause.

Of 1970 with 1980 they are the same districts of Boukourdan and Sidi Boucif which are transformed by town planning. “Plan 2” receives the most important program during this period, 323 residences and a stage, a polyclinic and a college of average teaching. On the other hand, the South of the high center sees its park residences reduced by the demolition of the city of El Djamila.

In spite of the various constraints (broken site), the space evolution knows an important urban extension.

Several urban entities isolated from/to each other form the urban space of the town of Beni Saf, in particular:

the center town, old core, and the port, constitute the active economic center of the city,
the peripheral districts of which most important are the suburb Boukourdan, Plan 2, Sidi Boucif, Ghar el Baroud and Sidi Sohbi.

This type of urbanization presents from the point of view of the growth of the agglomeration an main issue, which results in a very unbalanced distribution of the equipment.

Geography

Administrative cutting

The territory of the commune of Beni Saf, of a surface of 61,30 km ², is composed of the agglomeration concentrating 92% of the population, and scattered agricultural localities: El Bradj, Rachgoun, located on the littoral and Ouled Boudjemâa.

Beni Saf, which profited already from the statute of Sous-préfecture with a surface of 118 km ², is set up, after independence, under the terms of the decree n° 63-189 of May 16th 1963, in Chef-lieu of district depend on the department of Tlemcen, statute confirmed by the ordinance n° 63-421 of the bearing October 28th, 1963 on the territorial reorganization of the communes.

In 1974, corrections are made to this territorial cutting by the ordinance n°74-69 of July 2nd 1974.

Beni Saf always profits from the statute of chief town of Daïra and continuous to belong to Wilaya de Tlemcen until new territorial cutting of 1984. The decree n° 74-136 of July 12th, 1974 fixing the territorial limits and the composition of Wilaya de Tlemcen in its article 3 gave this composition of Daïra of Blessed-Saf: Daïra of Blessed-Saf with place chief with Blessed-Saf is consisted the communes of Blessed-Saf, Oulhaça Gheraba, Honaïne and the Northern part Western of the Commune of Sidi Ben Adda.

The new cutting instituted by the law n° 84-09 of February 4th, 1984 creates the news Wilaya of Ain Témouchent to which is attached the commune of Beni Saf as place chief of Daïra and the new communes of El Emir Abd El Kader and Sidi Safi resulting from the division of the common mother of Beni Saf constitute the only communes of fastening of them.

Except its oriental party, her administrative limits correspond to the physical relief division. Those are materialized by:

the Mediterranean in North.
mounts of Sebâa Chioukh in the South.
the wadi of Tafna in the West.

As for its Eastern limit, it remains roughly traced by the wadi Sidi Ahmed (confluent of the wadi Sidi Djelloul.)

Topology

The geographical coordinates of the city are 1°23' longitude of Greenwich and 35°18' Northern latitude.

The international axis East-West connecting Oran to the Morocco and materialized by the RN 35 constitutes with the RN 22 (North-South axis connecting Béchar and Tlemcen to Beni Saf), an intersection in the south of the commune.

The town of Beni Saf is located at:

30 km of Ain Témouchent.
100 km of Oran.
65 km of Tlemcen.
75 km of Maghnia.

Relief

The natural site of Beni Saf is complex. Several geographical sites meet there, solid mass, plate, valley, geology associated with the climate with the places determine at the same time topography and agriculture.

The perimeter of the commune is the meeting place of two great geographical entities: in the East, the plate of Sidi Ben Adda and with the West, the coastal chain of Traras of which the final part located inside the communal limits is separated from sound together by the valley of Tafna.

The commune extends on average on 10 km, of north in the south and on 13 km of west in east. Its territory is composed of the following units:

the valley of Tafna in the west,
mountainous solid mass in the western center,
the plate in the east and the North-West.

The topographic description of each component makes that the commune does not reach important altitude and therefore does not consist of Plaine S.

The valley of Tafna is a corridor of North-South orientation and almost null slope. The Oued runs in its medium though intersected by the final parts of the solid mass; its average width is of 100 Mr.

The mountainous solid mass, occupying the western center of the commune, is framed by:

the sea in north,
the valley of Tafna in the west,
the plate of the field El Bradj says Gaadet El Ghouzlène to the North-West,
the wadi Feid El Attech in the south,
the plate of Sidi Safi in the east,
the mounts of Sebâa Chioukh more in the south.

Only the true mountain is Djebel Skouna whose altitude is of 409 Mr. Tout around this one the principal elements of the solid mass are monticules with slope lower than 25% and whose tops end either in a very narrow projecting ledge, or by a peak presenting an aspect almost radioconcentric decreasing.

The contact solid mass-valley is marked by the very marked change of incline.

The plate is composed of two subsets, the plate of the North-West on the one hand and that of the west of the commune on the other hand.
The Western plate is called Gaadet El Ghouzlène. It is limited to the east by the chief town, in the west by Rachgoun, north by the sea, the south by the mountainous solid mass. The ground is soft inclined (lower than 15%) and has an average width of 700 m.
The Eastern plate Sidi-Safi is limited by the sea to north, the mounts of Sebâa Chioukh in the south and the solid mass mountainous in the west. It continues in the east by the plate of Sidi Ben Adda. The ground has a relatively corrugated morphology. The overall weak slope lies between 1 and 15%. General altitude decrease south in north.

The volcanic phenomena caused abrupt modifications. All the littoral was transformed by it: the island of Rachgoun is volcanic and the traces of volcanos or the vestiges of eruptions are constantly under the steps of those which circulate near the sea or along the wadis. ”

Geology

To each one of these two topographic entities corresponds a different geological nature: the solid mass consists of eruptive rocks (Basalte) and metamorphic (Schiste S) and the plate of Calcaire of the Miocène.

The cliff dominating the sea is a genuine geological cut which indicates to us that the sea level was much higher than the current heights of Boukourdan and Sidi Boucif. They are sand dunes consolidated. Moreover same the altimetric points of these 3 zones confirm the idea and prove that initially the zone of Beni Saf was a single plate with an uninterrupted cornice going from course Oulhaça in the east, in Rachgoun in the west.

Climate

The semi-aridity of the climate of Beni Saf is characterized by the 370 mm of annual rains. It is attenuated by the influence of the sea which reduces at the same time the thermal Amplitude annual (8,4 C°) and diurnal (6 C°) as well as the number of days of Sirocco in the year (6,2 j/an). The orographical influences are negligible because altitude and the unevennesses are low. In spite of the weakness of the Precipitation S, the temperatures remain rather soft and of all the country, the zone is exposed to the sirocco.

Precipitations are divided into two periods in the year, one from June to August and the other from September to May. First is regarded as dry because it brings very little rain (9 mm in June, 1 mm in July and 2 mm in August); second is wet in comparison. The averages recorded in 1998 and 2002 are of 218 mm and 331 Misters.

Observations were made over two periods, one 25 years going of 1914 with 1938 and the other 3 years of 1976 with 1978. The made observations of 1914 to 1918 recorded a 62 days average of rain for the 370 mm and a 47 days number of torrential rains of which the 85% have a rather low intensity. Donc, the risks due to the large torrential rains are minors.

Many days of torrential rains over 25 years: maximum height observed

Temperature:

In 1998 and 2002, it was recorded the following temperatures:

The winds change direction and of power according to the seasons. One classifies them in two categories, winds of winter or summer.

The winds of winter are dominant. They blow in the north-western direction in south-west with an overall strong power from October at April. They are the independent factor starting precipitations because they are in charge of moisture.

The winds of summer, relatively dry, have a north-eastern direction, a low power with moderated and blow from May to August.

The Rosée is a regulating factor of the climate in general and temperatures in particular. Its importance is all the more large as it appears in wintry time.

Demography

Population: : 39285 Density: 658 habitants/Km ²

The demographic trends post a rate of increase annual lower than the national average which is of 2,5%. The common one reached in 1987 32.139 inhabitants is a general rate of increase in 2,25%.

The population is characterized by its strong concentration on the level of the chief town (more than 92%), tendency generally raised on the scale of Wilaya of Ain Temouchent. This tendency to the concentration of the populations in the urban centres should not be regarded as an urban phenomenon resulting from a total development process, because generally these growths are generated by the demographic weight and the depopulation of the rural centers.

Pattern of the settlement by sex:

Between 1977 and 1987, the population residing in the commune increased by 6488 people; the increase was approximately of 25% in 10 year old meadows. Between 1987 and 1998, it was recorded 7146 people moreover is 22% in 11 year old meadows. The prospects for the population would reach at the limit 2010 approximately 70.000 inhabitants.

Age structure and by sex (source: RGPH 1998):

The population pyramid remains from the point of view of its profile that of a young population. According to the general census of the population and habitat in 1998, the statistics emphasize:

Population having an employment: 8.032 inhabitants, of which

659 in agriculture
7.373 in the other sectors.

Habitat:

7.959 constructions,
8.647 residences, of which:

6.289 occupied,
2.210 unoccupied,
148 of professional use.

The office of the Civil statue recorded during the following years 1998 and the 2002 statistics:

Matrimonial situation:

Up to 15 years, the near total of the men and the women is unmarried,
Between 15 and 20 years, a negligible part of boys is married. This share is more important in the girls.
Between 20 and 25 years, the large majority of the girls is married.
Between 25 and 30 years, there are more married men than single people.

Generally, the proportions of single people increase more and more until becoming important as from 30 years among women and 35 years at the men.

The population of the commune breaks up as follows:

of the autochtones come from other areas of Algeria,
of the Morocco ains come to be established in the area to work in the mine,
of the descendants of former emigrants Spanish. Almost all the colonists of Beni Saf were Spanish emigrants fleeing the misery of Spain…
of the Israélites of origin Algerian or Moroccan,
a small number of metropolitan French who form the executives of the company of the mines or are devoted to agriculture.

Economy

Beni Saf, whose economy was turned mainly on agriculture and fishing changed face with the favor of the various plans investment industrial which created many jobs.

However, following the example other communes, employment is subjected to great fluctuations due to the opening or the closing of the building sites. In addition, the problem of the young people from 16 to 19 years in particular them excluded from the school system arises with acuity. It is difficult for them to form part of the professional life and little are attracted by the formation.

The situation of the job market is dominated by the presence of a big number of applicants for work without qualification which weighs on the labor market.

Unemployment, employment:

Hydrography

Tafna which is the only important Wadi of the commune and whose permanent flow does not know a low water level constitutes the Western communal limit of Blessed-Saf and the part swallow and final of a Bassin pouring of an total surface area of: 7165 km ².

The stages of hydrography form for the commune of Beni Saf three networks:

permanent Network,
intermittent Network,
Resurgence of water.

the permanent network is of three types:

Section constituting the final part of a wide-area network draining water of a catchment area of: 7165 km ² which, before throwing itself to the sea, are used last once for the irrigation. It is about the wadi of Tafna.

the fascinating network birth in the commune or in the vicinity and is thrown directly to the sea; it is the case of the wadi Sidi Djelloul and the wadi of Sidi Ahmed.

the river occurs of resurgences of sources, carries out a layout of flow and disappears once again in basement. It is the case of the El-Bradj Wadi.

the intermittent network:

As everywhere else, the intermittent network of the commune has all dimensions. Also, though the concentration is at the level of the mountainous solid mass, the two most important courses are El Attech in the south of this solid mass, with East-West direction throwing itself in Tafna, and Wadi Chabet Dalia, confluence of Sidi Djelloul on the plate.

Resurgence of water:

This resurgence of water is concentrated especially on the plate whose most important axis is Sidi Safi - El Ançor - Blessed - Saf.

The hydrographic network

It appears a priori that the morphology of the natural site of the city of Blessed-Saf is the resultant of a hydrographic network depending at the same time on the mode of water, tectonics, the bed rock and the climate. Together, the parameters will enable us to delimit the unstable zones prone to the flood and erosion. The network which interests us is that which is located in the immediate back-country of the city. They are the wadis constituting each one its own catchment and succeeding area, either at the zone of beach, or with the port, near the city.

These wadis are the following:

Wadi Ben Midah, in the west of the city
Wadi Ben Chellal, with the west-south-west of the city.
Boukourdan Wadi, in the south-west of the city
Wadi El Ançor, in the south-east of the city.
Wadi El Hamara, in the east of the city.

Wadi Ben Midah

It passes just to the south of the plate of the field of El Bradj.Son only confluent is the wadi of Chaabet El Ouzech a 3 km length, this wadi runs in a talweg deeply boxed and notched in hard stone. The intermittent flow made it possible the Trunk road 22 to be established on its slope.

Wadi Ben Chellal

Is located at the west of Boukourdan and the south of Koudiat Bouhmidi, a 1500 m length and also runs in an intermittent way in a talweg deeply boxed and notched him in hard stone. Its result is an abrupt slope which just overhangs the zone of beach above the current seat of the territorial subdivision of Public works.

Boukourdan wadi

It is located between Boukourdan and “Plan 2”. 4000 m length, this wadi occurs in Piedmont of the mountainous solid mass. Its catchment area is composed of the Meguenni wadi, of that of Chaabet El Kharroub and Chaabet Ghar ED Deba. On the level of the city, this wadi is characterized by a fill being used of sat with a dirt track which crosses it connecting Boukourdan to “Plan 2” on the one hand and by equipment and galleries as mining being along the Talweg on the other hand.

Wadi El Ançor

Occurs starting from the sources of which most important were collected on the level of the old brickyard. Its catchment area is composed of Wadi Saf - Saf and the Wadi El Malah. It crosses the Western part of the center town before being thrown to the port.

Wadi El Hamara

It is characterized by an intermittent flow which is done in a talweg of 2500 m approximately length and deeply boxed in hard stone. The logical result of this wadi is the current beach of Sidi Boucif.

Note:

Characteristic common to all these Wadis:
low-size Area catchment.
Distance from the course: short.
intermittent Flow except for the wadi El Ançor.
Talweg notched deeply in hard stone.
Each talweg described above is marked by the urbanization.
In the wadi Ben Midah, passes the Road mationale 22.
the part swallows the Wadi El Ançor is occupied by the current center town.

Other characteristics:

Wadis Surfaces (km ²) Perimeter (km) Contribution of water (m3/an) El Ançor 10,60 13,50 110 103 Ben Midah 02,95 10 30,40 103 Ben Chellal 0,55 03,50 05,60 103 Source; Master line of Installation and Town planning (PDAU)

Hydrology: Water resources: Geological origin of water: On the plate, the level of the collected tablecloth is in limestone of age miocene higher, than light pondage and rests in abnormal contact on schists siluriens. The source of the solid mass is resulting from the gallery of iron the mine known as of the 4° level. Three sources of drinking water feed the city of Blessed - Saf: Ain Tenikrent and Ain El Ançor on the plate and the source of the 4° level located in the mountainous solid mass. Their coordinates, their flow, and their use are summarized in the following table: Localization Dates of setting in service Type Coordinates Altitude Flow Liter/second X there Max. Exploitable Moy. Exploited Ain Tenikrent 1890 Source 132,65 232,45 95 m 28 16 Ain El Ançor 1950 Source 31,635 227,925 150 m 22 4 4th level 1960 Source 128,32 228,58 100 m 7 5 Occupation natural of the grounds 1 - Natural vegetation and cultures:

Of west in is, the vegetable carpet of the commune presents itself in the following way: The valley of Tafna fluviogenic point delivery of soils is the field of citrus fruits and the truck farming. The mountainous solid mass with strong slopes and poor grounds is covered with undergrowth. The plate of the field El Bradj is occupied by the great viticultural and cereal speculations. The Eastern plate is as a whole the sector of cereals and arboriculture.

Agricultural use of the grounds of the commune:

Pedological analysis:

The pedological chart was not drawn up certainly but the morphology of the ground, the nature of the visited ground, the compartmental plan, the occupation of the ground and the outputs by zone are parameters of estimate and considerable approach which together enable us to determine the agronomic value of the grounds. Thus, compared to the types of grounds similar to the zones located in the area, it comes out the following conclusions from it:

For the valley, the grounds of alluvial and river formation have a ground with slightly acid argilo-sandy texture and contains active limestone.
In the mountainous area, the ground is low in Humus, slightly acid and marked by an active limestone deficiency.
the plate of the west has a neutral ground, an argillaceous texture and a strong percentage out of active limestone (10%).
the plate of the east: The crusts and calcareous encrusting are important in the zone, they constitute the support essential of a pedological layer with variable depth from one place to another and are at the origin of the rubéfaction of the grounds.

Infrastructure economic

Road infrastructures

Trunk roads: 18 km
Ways of wilaya: 8,515 km
communal Ways: 19,805 km
Tracks: 7 km

The trunk road 22 is a primary distributer where the traffic was tiny room with the opening of the RN 35 putting the city of Blessed-Saf in a situation of “wedged commune geographically and economically”. Indeed, this road crossed and connected Blessed-Saf to Oran east coast and west coast, it went until El Aricha while passing by Remchi - Tlemcen - Tarnished (Tlemcen) - Sebdou (Tlemcen.)

The highway network is relatively consistent. It is made up mainly of two sections of trunk roads (the RN 22 which connects Blessed-Saf to the RN 35 and the RN 96) and ten kilometers of ways of wilaya of which most important is CW 10.

Railway infrastructures

There exists a section of Railway connecting the cement factory to Ain Temouchent on a distance of 22 km. This railway was carried out mainly to convey cement.

Weather infrastructure

The basic synoptic network of the meteorology of Blessed-Saf has a station equipped which is on the heights of the suburb of Boukourdan.

Infrastructure in climatological matter which makes it possible to provide information to the users of Agriculture, Fishing, Civil protection and services communal.

Agriculture

The commune is known also for its agricultural vocation and of fishing but this place does not cease regressing following the progression which the industrial sector recorded.

The physical zone of the commune is described as follows:

10% of littoral,
20% of plains and valleys,
50% of hills and piémonts,
20% of mountain.

Remarque: The information sources not being sure, the figures given here, as an indication, are to be handled with some prudence.

The total agricultural surface (SAT) of the commune is of 3562,50 hectares out of the 204222 hectares which account the wilaya is a rate of 1,7% of which a useful agricultural surface (SAU) of 2594,50 hectares out of the 181000 hectares of the wilaya including 2283 irrigated hectares.

Farming population

According to the last census, the farming population accounts for 8% of the occupied population.

Many private exploitations: 260 out of 750 hectares
Many individual farms: 23 out of 333,60 hectares
Nombre of collective farms: 18 out of 1562,93 hectares.

Rate of distribution of the grounds:

Cultures % Course % Forests % Maquis %

45,40 20 15,60 19

Principal cultures:

Cultivation of cereals: : 1520 hectares
Truck farming S: 153 hectares
Arboriculture: 208 hectares
dry Vegetables: 215 hectares
Viniculture: 70,50 hectares
Vine growing: 53,50 hectares

Livestock production:

Bovine S: 176 Ovine heads
: : 3210 Caprine heads
: 720 équidés heads
: 115 heads

Annual production of meats of controlled demolition:

bovine: 284 têtes/491 ovine quintals
: : 4600 têtes/690 caprine quintals
: : 1680 têtes/170 quintals

Other breedings:

Poultry farming: : 96000 poultries
Bee-keeping: 400 Hive S of an annual production of 51 quintals.

Fishing

The port, started in 1876, finished in 1880, is built with the mouth of the two Wadis, Oued Ahmed come from the south East and the Boukourdan Wadi come from the Western South.

Originality of the port of Blessed-Saf

“It is a public port conceded with a Company for 99 years. The decree of June 14th, 1876 had authorized the company of the mines of Soumah and Tafna (which had made the request) “to establish this port with its expenses, risks and dangers without guaranteed subsidy nor State. ”

Description:

Surface of the basin: 17 ha

The port was built with the site of an old lagoon being used as confluence with the wadis Ahmed and Boukourdan. It is located at the bottom of a bay very open between the island of Rachgoun and the course Figalo.

Piers:

The Western pier measures 875 m and is bent with right angle. The pier Is measurement 300 Mr. and was reserved for the trade. Between these 2 piers the master key of entry 160 m length was.

The port, centers fishing important as well by the importance of the fleet and the maritime population as by the volume of the contributions.

This phenomenon is not randomly, it is the result of the privileged geographical position of this littoral zone which, although its continental shelf is narrow compared to the world mean, is not less more developed an Algerian coast. Moreover, the proximity of Gibraltar enables him to profit directly from the cold current, which, rich in Zoophyte and Phytoplancton, penetrates permanently in the Mediterranean.

These natural phenomena always contributed to make of this sector of the littoral, a privileged fishing zone of blue fish and gives to Blessed-Saf its place of first fishing port of the Sardine in our country.

This happy circumstance is worth to be underlined because it makes it possible to reasonably consider, with optimism, the development of fishing in this commune.

Some statistics good to know…

The flotilla of fishing currently counts:

78 small trades,
20 sardine boats,
39 trawlers,
the maritime population is estimated at 210 sailors.

The exploitation of fishing to the port of Blessed-Saf is practiced “with the share” according to a local habit, of Spanish origin. The ship-owner also takes responsibility for his an additional share which it distributes between the armor and the remaillor following professional qualities of the latter.

Fish contributions:

In 2002, the production reached: 3900 quintals, quantifies to clear regression compared to 1998 which reached: 7429 quintals. You will find hereafter figures comparative over the years 1998 and 2002:

INFORMATION Units 1998 2002 PRODUCTION TOTAL Qx 7.234. 600 3.767. 031 White Poisson Qx 1 986,730 1 032,534 Qx blue fish 4 784,320 2 542,845 Qx shellfish 463,550 191,652

Source: Antenna of Fishing of Blessed-Saf

Development of the Tourism

The blessed-safien littoral is characterized by remarkable landscapes and the beauty of its sites. It presents important economic potentialities:

Balneal tourism, Port activities, Maritime fishing.

If it is a city which can be praised to have the best potentialities to become a great tourist center, a point of famous attraction and a seaside resort of first choice, it is well the city of Blessed-Saf.

Blessed-Saf is classified seaside resort according to executive decree n° 98-370 of the 4 Chaâbane 1419 correspondent at November 23rd, 1998 (OJ n° 88), i.e. common offering to the visitors advantages resulting from his geographical location. Its promotion in tourist resort would depend on the construction of a whole of lodging, curiosities tourist natural, artistic and cultural as well as structures of leisures and relaxation. Blessed-Saf in the area a strategic position occupies as well on the geographical level located on the Mediterranean coastline, economic having an industrial fabric and a port as tourist by:

 the splendor of its picturesque sites,  of its architecture built in amphitheater,  and of its sand beaches end, formerly so famous. Through the historical reference marks noted previously, the site of the coast blessed-safienne has constituted a treasure of a very great tourist value depreciated unfortunately by the anarchistic urbanization on the one hand and the little of interest granted for already several years to the real vocation of the City. Beach of Sidi Boucif them Rocks

A priori , Commune with tourist vocation, Blessed-Saf is already predestined to become a dormitory town where no interesting activity is recorded since already a long time and lives in the absolute lethargy.

In spite of the realization of an industrial fabric, its economic activities yet are not very developed and its infrastructures remain insufficient for a Commune which have assets letting predict very promising prospects and an important budget for the promotion of tourism to the profit of this city as a seaside resort.

The revival of tourism in its broadest direction could emerge the town of its lethargy and make it leave anonymity. This is why the elected officials must attach more importance to this sector which did not find yet its true place in social and cultural economic development. For little that the will exists and with suitable and serious studies there is no doubt that rise of this city is a won bet of the future.

Equipped with all the assets but private of the infrastructures as regards hotel trade, Blessed-Saf for the majority of people has a salted fish taste and is only one simple fishing port. Only one hotel of 44 beds realized in 1978 on contest of the State is placed at the disposal of the local or foreign tourists but far from meeting the needs for a city with purely tourist vocation.

Three (3) hotels were yielded “precipitately” but quickly lost their vocation since they were transformed into administrative buildings (Banking agencies, private and different Doctor's offices…) thus lightening the Town of its true tourist assets.

It acts enter others of establishments in tourist matter conceded in 1968 by the State with the balneal communes in order to develop their capacities of reception and to develop their financial resources:

E.g. NIZOLI, Coffee Hotel, Street of the Republic, E.g. ROBERT, Hotel restoring Coffee, Street of Peace, E.g. JEANNE Of ARC, Hotel Restoring Coffee, Street of the Republic.

Currently, of the encouraging efforts these last years in the tourist sector deprived by the balneal tourist complex construction are recorded of high standing.

The site of the coast blessed-safienne constitutes a treasure of a very great tourist value. Commune with tourist vocation having assets letting predict very promising prospects, Blessed-Saf becomes during the summer for the thousands of visitors of the surrounding areas, the Algerian community living abroad and the young colonists of all the surrounding wilayas, the most beautiful littoral which makes the pride of the inhabitants of the city.

Here in all and for all the possibilities that currently offers Blessed-Saf in the field of tourism to which it is necessary that the elected officials must give the means essential with its blooming and its development since supported by this gift of God and these natural factors which several European cities can envy. All the studies and other reflections carried out that and there mentioned the need and the urgency that there was to record the level of the sector of Tourism but in vain.

The Aquarium: Built about the years 1950 taking into account the importance of fauna and the marine flora and the traditions of fishing.

The masonry was high on a block rock wetting in water. The structure was arranged in room aquarium of 24 basins of ornaments (sea water) present a watery fauna, scientific laboratories (study of fauna) and of room of a scientific and technical documentation. It was created on the level of the structure: - An aquarium, - A unit of fresh water aquarium, - and a marine museum.

Some suggestions and recommendations:

To build a note on the city of Blessed-Saf (on sea) with photographs of the Port, Island of Rachgoun, Beach and all information offering an general interest.

To create a museum of the mine (to recover the old tools used to extract the ore and to present the old production processs).

To create a training center hotel of regional level.

To develop the whole of the splits which the offshore bar of the commune contains by allowing their accessibility and to create stations of monitoring in summer period.

Culture:

The single village hall built during the colonial period (no exact date could be advanced, for lack of documents) of a style and an architecture of the European type whose vocation and cultural dimension were lost sight of the fact since already a long time while moving away gradually from the hope to join again with the traditions of the City in this field, are likely to be degraded and damaged so urgent measures are not taken to rehabilitate it and safeguard this patrimonial chief of work. Village hall Source: Editions MONTESINOS, CL. WORLD PHOTOGRAPH - ORAN

Other cultural and artistic infrastructures lost already their vocation following the example those of other cities of the country and risk the same fate, inter alia:

The cinema “LUX” (more than 230 places), nationalized then restored with her owner is in a state of total decay, Cinema “REX” (more than 150 places), became a vulgar shop of hiring of video cassettes.

They could bring, without any doubt, one “more” with the cultural life and artistic of the City if their vocation is restored to them.

The Mosque of Ghar El Baroud of Maghrebian architectural style, first religious building built during the creation of the village, also deserves that one is interested closely in it. No exact date over the year of construction.

A serious study will without any doubt reveal the value of this historical heritage and monk located in a locality where the first transformation of the iron ore was done in primitive forging mills and where one manufactured also powder for the troops of the Emir Abd El Kader.

Sport

Blessed-Saf was also the regional capital of Tennis shoe (local sport) with valorous teams.

The more known local team under the name of the JPBS (Popular Youth of Blessed-Saf) beat in 1966 the ASM of Oran, frightening adversary, by gaining the championship of Oranie.

With the championship of Algeria, it was beaten by the USMA of Algiers (61/51) but it remained always the symbol of the Tennis shoe in all Algeria and even abroad since it had to face large teams in friendly matches such those of Michigan (the United States), WERE of Reduction and the team of Berkane (Champions of Morocco), of Georgia (Russia), the Chinese university Team, of passage in our city… etc

Known for its exploits in this discipline but relegated unfortunately to a secondary row, a revival of the sports activities accompanied by important means could regild the blazon of the Tennis shoe blessed-safien Ball.

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