Tiaret

Tiaret is a wilaya of Algeria. The capital is Tiaret. Tiaret is the name of a large Algerian town, one that gives its name to the wider farming region of 'Wilaya de Tiaret' province in central Algeria. Both the town and region lie south-west of the capital of Algiers, in the Tell Atlas, and about 150 km (95 miles) from the sea coast. It is served by Bou Chekif Airport. The region is predominantly one of agriculture. There is a large airfield with a tower and terminal, at Abdelhafid Boussouf. The town is not a tourist destination. The province suffered massacres, killings, and bombings during the Algerian Civil War, though less so than areas closer to Algiers. Other districts are Frenda, Hamadia, Mahdia, Rahouia and Sogueur.

Tiaret is the capital of Tiaret province with 810,000 inhabitants (2005 estimate) and an area of 20,673 km². Tiaret is primarily an agricultural city, thriving from a cool climate and good supplies of water. Agriculture is dominated by the production of cereals, but there is also much livestock raising, and the region is famous for its purebred Arabian horses. Tiaret is well-connected with other urban centres by both rail and road. It lies 210 km southwest of Algiers.

Tiaret has a Byzantine citadel. Out of town are a group of noteworthy step pyramids with square foundations, called Djedar, which were up to 30 metres high. These were probably used as tombs by Christian Berber princes in the 6th and 7th centuries. Tiaret has a university centre.