Bejaïa

Bejaïa, city and seaport in north-eastern Algeria, in Bejaïa Department on the Mediterranean Sea. Wine, minerals, wool, hides, and oils are the chief articles of trade. Founded in ancient times by the Carthaginians, the city became an important commercial and military station (called Saldae) of the Roman Empire. In the 5th century it was seized and fortified by Gaiseric, king of the Vandals. Occupied by Berbers in later times, in 1062 the city became the capital of a Berber dynasty, and for many years remained one of the chief ports of North Africa. After successive occupations of the region by Spain and Turkey, the city declined in importance until, by the beginning of the 19th century, it remained little more than ruins. Following its capture by the French in 1833, however, Bejaïa regained some of its former prosperity. The harbour was enlarged and improved, and the town was connected by a branch line to the Tunis-Oran railway. Population 114,534 (1987).