--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jijel (Igilgili), was first inhabited by Berbers tribes, most known were the Kutama. Originally a Phoenician trading post,[2] the
city passed successively to the Romans, the Vandals, the Arabs, the Genoese and, in the 16th century, to the Ottoman
AdmiralHayreddin Barbarossa. In July 1664, the French took the city. Resistance was organized under the direction of Shaban
Aga and the French were driven out in October of the same year. Jijel remained a Corsair stronghold until captured by the
French in 1839. Strong local resistance, finally subdued in 1851, resulted in the construction of three forts along its southern
fringe as well as minimal colonization. The original town was devastated by an earthquake in 1856.
Jijel is the administrative and trade centre for a region specializing in cork processing, leather training and steel making.
Local crops include citrus and grain. Fishing is also of great importance. Tourists (mainly Algerians) are attracted to Jijel for its
landscapes and fine sand beaches. Being a resort town, there are many hotels and restaurants. There are Phoenician tombs
nearby.
Jijel is situated 30 km from Taza National Park; this national park and other vicinity features support a variety of flora and fauna.
In particular, the Taza National Park ishabitat for the endangered Barbary Macaque, Macaca sylvanus; moreover, this primate
prehistorically had a much broader distribution than at present. |
