# Biskra

> city in Algeria

**Wikidata**: [Q312759](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q312759)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biskra)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/biskra

## Summary
Biskra is a city and commune located in Algeria, serving as the capital of both Biskra Province and Biskra District. Situated at an elevation of 87 meters, it has a population of 204,661 as of the 2008 census and covers an area of 127.55 square kilometres.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Algeria; specifically within Biskra District (preferred) and formerly part of the Constantine Department.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 34.85, Longitude 5.7333333333333.
- **Population**: 204,661 (2008 census).
- **Area**: 127.55 square kilometres.
- **Elevation**: 87 meters above sea level.
- **Timezone**: UTC+01:00.
- **Capital Status**: Capital of Biskra Province and Biskra District.
- **Country History**: Currently in Algeria; historically in France until July 3, 1962.
- **Aliases**: Biscra, Vescera, Ad Piscinam, Biskira, البسكرة, بسكره.
- **Historical Significance**: Instance of a city, commune of Algeria, Roman city, and big city.
- **Notable Events**: Siege of Zaatcha.
- **Twin Cities**: Maubeuge, Makhachkala.
- **Postal Code**: 07000.
- **UN/LOCODE**: DZBSK.

## FAQs
**What is the geographical and administrative location of Biskra?**
Biskra is located in Algeria at coordinates 34.85 latitude and 5.7333333333333 longitude. It serves as the capital of Biskra Province and the Biskra District.

**What are the demographic and physical statistics of Biskra?**
The city has a population of 204,661 according to the 2008 census, an area of 127.55 square kilometres, and sits at an elevation of 87 meters above sea level.

**What historical names and classifications apply to Biskra?**
Historically known by names such as Vescera and Ad Piscinam, Biskra is classified as a city, a commune of Algeria, a Roman city, and a big city.

**What are Biskra's international and digital identifiers?**
Biskra is identified by numerous systems, including the UN/LOCODE DZBSK, GeoNames ID 2503826, and various library and encyclopedia IDs such as the Library of Congress Authority ID (no2006088639) and the Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID (place/Biskra).

**With which other cities is Biskra twinned?**
Biskra is twinned with Maubeuge and Makhachkala.

**What significant historical event is associated with Biskra?**
The Siege of Zaatcha is recorded as a significant event connected to Biskra.

## Why It Matters
Biskra holds significance as the administrative capital of both Biskra Province and Biskra District, playing a central role in the region's governance. Its history as a Roman city, known in antiquity as Vescera or Ad Piscinam, highlights its long-standing strategic and settlement importance in Algeria. The city's inclusion in major encyclopedias like Brockhaus and Efron, Encyclopædia Britannica, and the Great Soviet Encyclopedia underscores its historical and cultural relevance. Furthermore, with a population of over 200,000 and extensive global database recognition (from GeoNames to the Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire), Biskra is a key urban center in the region. Its twinning with international cities like Maubeuge and Makhachkala also indicates its modern global connections.

## Notable For
- **Roman Heritage**: Identified as a Roman city (Vescera/Ad Piscinam), with an entry in the Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire.
- **Provincial Capital**: Serves as the capital of Biskra Province.
- **Extensive Documentation**: Described by four major historical encyclopedias: Brockhaus and Efron, Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition, New International Encyclopedia, and Great Soviet Encyclopedia.
- **Significant Population**: A major urban center with a 2008 census population of 204,661.
- **Global Connectivity**: Possesses a wide array of international identifiers, including UN/LOCODE (DZBSK), VIAF ID (140497544), and numerous national library IDs.
- **Wikipedia Presence**: Has Wikipedia articles in over 50 languages, including Arabic, English, French, and Japanese.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Biskra is situated in Algeria at a latitude of 34.85 and longitude of 5.7333333333333. The city covers an area of 127.55 square kilometres and has an elevation of 87 meters above sea level. Administratively, it is the capital of both the Biskra Province and the Biskra District. Historically, it was part of the Constantine Department. The city's timezone is UTC+01:00.

### Demographics and Statistics
According to the 2008 census, the population of Biskra is 204,661. The postal code for the city is 07000, and its UN/LOCODE is DZBSK.

### Historical and Modern Names
The city is known by several names in different languages and historical periods. Aliases include Biscra, Vescera, Ad Piscinam, Biskira, and Arabic variants البسكرة and بسكره. These names reflect its history from the Roman era to the present day.

### Historical Significance
Biskra is classified as a Roman city, a city, a commune of Algeria, and a big city. A significant historical event associated with the location is the Siege of Zaatcha. The city was formerly part of France until July 3, 1962, before becoming part of independent Algeria.

### Encyclopedia and Literary References
Biskra has been extensively described in several major reference works. These include the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, the Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition, the New International Encyclopedia, and the Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1926–1947). It also has entries in the Great Russian Encyclopedia Online (2017) and the Hrvatska Enciklopedija.

### International and Library Identifiers
The city is cataloged in numerous international databases and library systems. Key identifiers include:
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: no2006088639
- **Bibliothèque nationale de France ID**: 15171192g
- **National Library of Spain ID**: XX461522
- **GND ID**: 4088381-4
- **VIAF ID**: 140497544
- **GeoNames ID**: 2503826
- **Pleiades ID**: 334477
- **MusicBrainz Area ID**: a29e421f-218e-43e5-9a68-d69fb759623c
- **WorldCat Entities ID**: E39PBJqFH3ybwXXBhFHTmgWYyd

### Digital and Web Presence
Biskra has a significant online presence across various platforms. It has Wikipedia articles in 55 languages, including Arabic, English, French, and many others. The Wikipedia title is "Biskra". Other digital identifiers include a Freebase ID (/m/05s7mg), a Quora topic (Biskra), a BBC Things ID (88d9ef27-3986-433e-b339-36067affa2aa), and an OpenStreetMap Node ID (299682811) and Relation ID (4120759). The city also has a store ID on Google Play named "Biskra".

### Visual and Media Resources
Images and maps of Biskra are available through Wikimedia Commons. A panoramic view of the city can be found at `Biskra_1.JPG`. A locator map image showing its position within the province is available at `DZ-07_Biskra.svg`. There is also a page banner image at `Biskra_dz07000_Algeria_banner.jpg`.

### International Relations
Biskra is twinned with two administrative bodies: Maubeuge and Makhachkala.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. MusicBrainz
5. [Source](https://www.citypopulation.de/en/algeria/cities/)
6. GeoNames
7. BBC Things
8. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/dz.htm)
9. Quora
10. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)
11. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
12. KBpedia