The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. II., No. 4, March, 1836Various
History
The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. II., No. 4, March, 1836
Various
American literature -- 19th century -- Periodicals
The Algerine territory extends in length on the Mediterranean, about
six hundred miles; its breadth or the distance between that Sea and
the Desert no where exceeds one hundred miles, and is generally much
less. Shaler gives sixty as the average breadth, which would make the
superficial extent of the country about thirty-six thousand square
miles. A considerable portion of this territory consists of rugged
and almost inaccessible mountains, many of which are covered with
eternal snow; there are however vast tracts of the finest land, which
with proper attention would be rendered very productive, and even the
rude and careless mode of cultivation pursued by the inhabitants
enabled them frequently to export great quantities of wheat to
Europe. One of these tracts in the immediate vicinity of Algiers
called the plain of Metija is said to be of unparalleled fertility;
it is not less than a thousand square miles in extent, and is covered
with springs which by a judicious direction of their waters, might be
made the sources of health and plenty, instead of producing as they
now do only useless and insalubrious marshes.
The country was divided into three provinces, separated by lines
drawn from points on the coast southwardly to the Desert; each of
these divisions was governed by a Bey who though appointed from
Algiers, was almost absolute within his own territories. The Eastern
province bordering on Tunis was the largest and the most populous; it
took its name from its capital Constantina, the ancient Cirta, a
strong town situated about sixty miles from the Sea, and said to have
more inhabitants than Algiers. The principal ports of this district
are Bugia and Bona; upon its coast near Bona were the _African
Concessions_ which in part led to the difficulties with France.
Tittery the middle province is the smallest, its surface not being
more than sixty miles square; it however contains the capital, and is
more populous in proportion to its extent, than any other part of the
Regency. The Western province lying contiguous to Morocco has been
called Oran, Tlemsen and Mascara, accordingly as its Bey resided in
either of the principal cities which bear those names. In 1830 the
seat of government was Oran or more properly Warran, a seaport town
near the frontiers of Morocco which possesses a fine harbor and may
be rendered very strong; the other ports of this province Arzew,
Mostaganem and Shershell though nearly deserted, are well situated
both for commerce and defence. Indeed the western territories of
Algiers are considered the most delightful and the richest of
Northern Africa; in addition to their grain, fruits and mines, they
are also famous for the beauty and spirit of their horses which are
sent in great numbers to the East, as well as to Spain and the South
of France. The population appears likewise to be of a better
character than that of other parts of the Regency; there are fewer
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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