Constantine or Qusantīnah (Arabic: قسنطينة ) is the capital of Constantine Province (ولاية قسنطينة) in north-east Algeria, slightly inland, at about 80 kilometers from the Mediterranean coast. Regarded as the capital of eastern Algeria, it has a population of over 500,000 (750,000 with the agglomeration) making it the third largest city in the country after Algiers and Oran. Situated in north eastern Algeria, Constantine is the centre of its region. Constantine is placed on a plateau at 640 metres above sea level. The city is framed by a deep ravine and has a dramatic appearance. The city is very picturesque with a number of bridges and a viaduct crossing the ravine. The economical base is the manufacturing of leather, wool and linen. Constantine is the centre of commercial activities and has Algeria and Tunisia as its markets. Constantine has one university, the University of Constantine, which was founded in 1969. There are museums and important historical sites around the city. Constantine can be found on the top of a gorge protecting the city on almost all sides. As so many other places in North Africa, the fortress and the city has been one and the same. Constantine got help from nature's side. The sights of today are spectacular, especially since this is a fairly big city. The gorge cutting the edges of Constantine, can be crossed by one out of four bridges, like Pont Sidi M'Cid, as on the picture. But I'm sad to report that a serious environmental scheme is needed to turn Constantine into what it should be. The gorge serves to a large extent as a dustbin, and is heavily polluted by oil as well. As for the economical side of constantine, it is the railhead of a prosperous and diverse agricultural area. Constantine is also a center of the grain trade and has flour mills, a tractor factory, and industries producing textiles and leather goods.
