Tlemcen (Arabic: تلمسان Tilimsān) is a town in Northwestern Algeria, and the capital of the province of the same name.
It is located inland in the center of a region known for its olive
plantations and vineyards. The city has developed leather, carpet, and
textile industries, which it ships to the port of Rashgun for export. It had a population of 140,158 at the 2008 census, while the province had 949,135 inhabitants.
The origin of the name Tlemcen (Arabic: تلمسان Tilimsān) is uncertain. One theory traces the name to the Berber words Tala Imsan (
in Tifinagh) which means "the dry spring". The name is sometimes spelled Tlemsen, Tlemsan, or Tilimsen.
in Tifinagh) which means "the dry spring". The name is sometimes spelled Tlemsen, Tlemsan, or Tilimsen.
Its centuries of rich history and culture have made the city a center of
a unique blend of music and art. Its textiles and handcrafts, its
elegant blend of Arabic, Islamic, Berber,
and Andalucian cultures, and its cool climate in the mountains have
made it an important center of tourism in Algeria. It is home to a
beautiful tomb - that of Sidi Boumédiène, whose tomb adjoins to a mosque.
The Great Mosque at Tlemcen was completed in 1136 and is said to be the
most remarkable remaining example of Almoravid architecture.
EmoticonEmoticon