# Sidi Bel Abbès

> City in Algeria

**Wikidata**: [Q852276](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q852276)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidi_Bel_Abbès)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sidi-bel-abbes

## Summary
Sidi Bel Abbès is a city and commune located in northwestern Algeria that serves as the capital of both the Sidi Bel Abbès Province and the Sidi Bel Abbès District. Founded in 1849, the city covers an area of 9,150.63 square kilometers and had a population of 212,935 according to the 2008 census. It is situated at an elevation of 470 meters above sea level.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** Founded in 1849.
- **Location:** Situated in Sidi Bel Abbès District at coordinates 35.2°N, -0.633°W.
- **Area:** 9,150.63 square kilometres.
- **Population:** 212,935 (2008 census).
- **Elevation:** 470 metres above sea level.
- **Capital Of:** Sidi Bel Abbès Province and Sidi Bel Abbès District.
- **Country:** Algeria; formerly France until July 3, 1962.
- **Timezone:** UTC+01:00.
- **Postal Code:** 22005.
- **UN/LOCODE:** DZSBA.
- **Instance Of:** City, commune of Algeria, and formerly an indigenous commune (from January 1, 1875, to July 3, 1962).
- **Bordering Entity:** Shares border with Ain Thrid.

## FAQs
**What are the geographical details of Sidi Bel Abbès?**
Sidi Bel Abbès is located in northwestern Algeria at coordinates 35.2°N latitude and -0.633° longitude. The city covers an area of 9,150.63 square kilometres and sits at an elevation of 470 metres above sea level.

**What is the historical timeline of sovereignty for Sidi Bel Abbès?**
The city was founded in 1849 and was historically part of France. It held the status of an indigenous commune starting January 1, 1875, until French sovereignty ended on July 3, 1962, after which it became part of Algeria.

**What administrative role does Sidi Bel Abbès serve?**
Sidi Bel Abbès serves as the administrative capital for two distinct divisions: the Sidi Bel Abbès Province and the Sidi Bel Abbès District.

**What demographic data is available for Sidi Bel Abbès?**
According to the 2008 census conducted by the determination method of census, Sidi Bel Abbès had a population of 212,935. The city is also recognized by the UN/LOCODE DZSBA.

**Where is Sidi Bel Abbès documented in encyclopedic sources?**
The city is described by several historical and modern sources including the Granat Encyclopedic Dictionary, the Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition, and the New International Encyclopedia.

## Why It Matters
Sidi Bel Abbès holds significant administrative importance as the dual capital of both a province and a district within Algeria. Its historical trajectory from a French indigenous commune established in 1875 to its current status within the sovereign state of Algeria mirrors the broader colonial and post-colonial history of the region. The city's extensive documentation across major international knowledge systems—including the Library of Congress, Bibliothèque nationale de France, and Encyclopædia Britannica—demonstrates its established relevance in global geography and history. Its substantial population and vast area further underscore its status as a major urban center in northwestern Algeria.

## Notable For
- Serving as the capital for both the Sidi Bel Abbès Province and the Sidi Bel Abbès District.
- A history as a French indigenous commune from 1875 to 1962.
- A population of 212,935 recorded in the 2008 census.
- An extensive presence in global library and authority systems, including VIAF, GND, and the Library of Congress.
- Availability of Wikipedia articles in 51 different languages.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Sidi Bel Abbès is a city and commune situated in the Sidi Bel Abbès District of Algeria. It holds the administrative distinction of being the capital of both the district and the wider Sidi Bel Abbès Province. The city encompasses a total area of 9,150.63 square kilometres. Geographically, it is positioned at a latitude of 35.2 and a longitude of -0.633. The city shares a border with the location of Ain Thrid.

### Demographics and Climate Data
The population of Sidi Bel Abbès was recorded as 212,935 according to the 2008 census. The city is situated at an elevation of 470 metres above sea level and operates within the UTC+01:00 timezone. The postal code assigned to the city is 22005.

### History
The city was officially founded in 1849. Historically, it was an entity within France until July 3, 1962. During the French colonial period, specifically from January 1, 1875, to July 3, 1962, Sidi Bel Abbès was classified as an "indigenous commune."

### Identifiers and Classifications
Sidi Bel Abbès is cataloged in numerous international databases and library systems.
- **Library and Authority IDs:** Library of Congress Authority ID (n94064797), GND ID (4709813-2), BNF ID (12003362j), VIAF ID (144403594), and FAST ID (1269489).
- **Digital and Knowledge Graphs:** Freebase ID (/m/0b953y), GeoNames ID (2481007), Quora Topic (Sidi-Bel-Abbès-Algeria), and KBpedia ID (SidiBelAbbes-ProvinceAlgeria).
- **Encyclopedic References:** Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID (place/Sidi-Bel-Abbes), Encyclopedia of China (Third Edition) ID (500390), and online PWN Encyclopedia ID (3974815).
- **Social and Web:** Facebook page (SidiBelAbbesVille), Google Play Store ID (Sidi-bel-Abbès), iNaturalist Place ID (16421), and museum-digital place ID (32321).

### Media and Visual Representation
The city's visual identity includes a coat of arms (Blason_ville_dz_Sidi-Bel-Abbès_(French_Algeria).svg) and a locator map image (DZ_22_Sidi_Bel_Abbes.svg). An aerial view of the city is available in the Wikimedia Commons category "Sidi Bel Abbès," which serves as the topic's main category. The city is the subject of Wikipedia articles in 51 languages, including Arabic, English, French, Spanish, and Japanese.

### Associated People
There are specific categories for individuals associated with the city: "Category:Births in Sidi Bel Abbès," "Category:Deaths in Sidi Bel Abbès," and "Category:People from Sidi Bel Abbès."

## References

1. [Source](http://anom.archivesnationales.culture.gouv.fr/geo.php?lieu=Sidi+Bel+Abb%C3%A8s%2C+Commune+indig%C3%A8ne+%28Alg%C3%A9rie%29)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Sidi Bel Abbès (Province Capital, Sidi Bel Abbès, Algeria) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location](http://citypopulation.de/en/algeria/admin/22/2201__sidi_bel_abb%25C3%25A8s/)
5. GeoNames
6. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)
7. KBpedia