Write@Home
Winter 2015

Homeland

Old town of Constantine, the capital of Constantina Province, north-eastern Algeria

My native homeland is Algeria. It is a North African country with a Mediterranean coastline and a Sahara Desert interior.

Algeria got its independence from France in 1962. Algeria's indigenous Berber people have been under foreign rule much of the last 3000 years.

Algiers is the capital of Algeria. In Algeria, there is the province of Constantine, which is the province where I was born and raised. It is located in the northeast of Algeria. It is the third-largest province in terms of population.

Constantine was called ‘Cirta’ in ancient times. Many civilizations have crossed Constantine, including the Romans, the Ottomans, and French civilizations. Constantine is about 80 kilometers from the Mediterranean coast.

Constantine is built on two large rocks and is also known as ‘The City of Bridges’. It is connected to eight bridges. Constantine has also been called the ‘City of Air’. It is situated on a plateau at an elevation of 640 metres (2,100 ft.) above sea level. It is also famous for Malouf music, traditional dress, and popular cuisine. It is a beautiful city.