Berriane

Archaeological, prehistoric and historical testimonies indicate that the area of Berriane was inhabited since at least the Neolithic era. The population of Berriane are principally of Zenata Mozabite origin.

The town of Berriane forms an integral part of the history of the area of M'zab. It is chronologically the youngest of all the cities of the M'zab region.{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}}

Although an ancient Berber town, with a majority Zenata Ibadi population, in recent years many Chaambi (Bedouin) Arabs have settled there. In March 2008 and February 2009 it was the scene of heavy riots between Berbers and Arabs,[http://host-215-67-22-178.cloudsigma.com/index.php/news-watch/middle-east/2814-arab-berber-clashes-shake-algeria-town Arab-Berber clashes shake Algeria town] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527012332/http://host-215-67-22-178.cloudsigma.com/index.php/news-watch/middle-east/2814-arab-berber-clashes-shake-algeria-town |date=2013-05-27 }}, Lamine Chikhi, Reuters. 18 May 2008. in which at least 4 native Berbers were killed.{{Citation needed|date=February 2013}}

In addition to its regional importance from the demographic, economic and cultural point of view, the commune of Berriane occupies a strategic position, connecting the cities of the South to those of the North.

Its green palm grove forms a beautiful oasis which offers to its urban environment a more pleasant microclimate in an area characterized by an arid climate.

Berriane has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh), with very hot summers and mild winters, and very little precipitation throughout the year.

Berriane is crossed by the National Road 01, one of the country's important communication lines, and part of the Trans-Sahara Highway. The road leads north to Laghouat and Djelfa, and south to Ghardaïa, In Salah and Tamanrasset.

Berriane is known for its pretty handicraft carpets and its artisanal products manufactured by highly qualified creators. It is also known for its folklore, culture heritage, ancestral culinary art and architecture.

In addition to its agricultural economy centered around date palms, Berriane is also an attractive city for tourists, featuring engravings and rock frescos dating from prehistory, inscriptions in the Tamazight alphabet called Tifinagh, and historic buildings and architecture similar to other cities of the internationally famous M'Zab. The M'Zab region has classified by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage on its World Heritage List.{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/188|title=M'Zab Valley|publisher=UNESCO|accessdate=13 February 2013}}

6.3% of the population has a tertiary education, and another 15.3% has completed secondary education.{{cite web|title=Structure relative de la population résidente des ménages ordinaires et collectifs âgée de 6 ans et plus selon le niveau d'instruction et la commune de résidence.|url=http://www.ons.dz/collections/w47_p6.pdf|publisher=Office National des Statistiques Algérie|accessdate=13 February 2013|language=French|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516131702/http://www.ons.dz/collections/w47_p6.pdf|archivedate=16 May 2013}} The overall literacy rate is 88.3% (the second highest in the province), and is 93.3% among males and 83.2% among females (also the second highest in the province).{{cite web|title=Taux d'analphabétisme et taux d'alphabétisation de la population âgée de 15 ans et plus, selon le sexe et la commune de résidence .|url=http://www.ons.dz/collections/w47_p10.pdf|publisher=Office National des Statistiques Algérie|accessdate=13 February 2013|language=French|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516131804/http://www.ons.dz/collections/w47_p10.pdf|archivedate=16 May 2013}}

The commune of Berriane is composed of two localities:{{cite web|title=Décret n° 84-365, fixant la composition, la consistance et les limites territoriale des communes. Wilaya d'El Oued|url=http://www.joradp.dz/JO8499/1984/067/FP1578.pdf|publisher=Journal officiel de la République Algérienne|accessdate=2 March 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021102626/http://www.joradp.dz/JO8499/1984/067/FP1578.pdf|archivedate=21 October 2013|page=1578|language=French|date=19 December 1984|url-status=dead}}

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• Vieux Ksar de Berriane
• Quartiers périphériques et Palmeraie

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{{Portal|Algeria}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Clear}}

{{Geographic location

|Centre = Berriane

|North = Hassi Delaa (Laghouat)

|Northeast =

|East = El Guerrara

|Southeast = Zelfana

|South = Ghardaia

|Southwest =

|West = El Bayadh

|Northwest = Laghouat
Hassi R'Mel (Laghouat)

}}

{{Ghardaïa Province}}

Category:Communes of Ghardaïa Province

Category:Oases of Algeria