History
Annaba's atmosphere is very similar to that of Algiers and provides a delightful destination for tourists with a need for a more European environment during their stay in Algeria.
Annaba is one of the country's leading ports and also serves as a very important administrative, commercial and industrial center for the country. The large El Hadjar steelworks, built with French and Soviet financial and technical aid, constitutes the chief industry. Other industries include chemical manufacturing, food canning, cork production, and railway construction. Annaba is also the main port for mineral export in Algeria and it exports iron, zinc and steel.
Annaba and its surrounding regions boast a good capacity for agriculture and it was for this reason that it became popular among the French colonialists. Because of this, the city of Annaba reflects a very strong French heritage. The horizon to the south is strongly dominated by the breathtaking Basilica of St. Augustine, which will remind you of the contemporary Sacre Coeur in Paris, France.
Annaba saw little of the violence that scarred other cities during the ‘black years’ of the 1990s and many families moved here from Algiers and the west.In the summer, the beaches, provide the majority of work opportunities. Annaba is Algeria’s fourth largest city, with a sizeable university.
Ringed by hills, close to some good beaches and with an elegant colonial-period centre, the city makes an excellent start or end point for a tour of the northeast.
Annaba Town
Annaba has a wide selection of good quality restaurants and the lodging provided by hotels is good in all price classes. The airport at Annaba offers connecting flights to almost all Algerian cities and also some to France. It has a fairly good infrastructure with frequent trains, busses and taxis for transportation. Annaba is also a ferry port for ferries going to Marseilles, France.
Many residents of Algiers and Oran come to Annaba to relax and get away from the everyday hustle and bustle of the big cities. Annaba has much to offer for tourists and is a definite must see when passing through Algeria.
You cannot leave Annaba without walking on the Green Main Street, also known as Cours de la Revolution, as it represents French influence on Annaba city.
The Green Main Street has a vibrant afternoon as well as an active nightlife. If you’re here for the food too, Annaba city offers delectable cuisine with a combination of both Arabian and European taste to tease you palate and satisfy your hunger. In Annaba, Algeria, you’ll surely enjoy a multi-cultured tour.
