Mascara ( , ) is a province (wilaya) in Algeria, named after its capital, whose name is Arabic for "military garrison". It is uncertain whether the place's name is related to "mascara", the cosmetic. Another important locality is the town of Sig.
History The province was created from parts of Mostaganem department and Oran (department) in 1974.
Administrative divisions The province is divided into 16 districts (daïras), which are further divided into 47 communes or municipalities.
Districts
Aïn Farès Aïn Fekan Aouf Bouhanifia El Bordj Ghriss Hachem Mascara Mohammedia Oggaz Ouled Attia Oued Taria Sig Tighenif Tizi Zahana
Communes
Aïn Fares Aïn Fekan Aïn Ferah Aïn Fras Alaimia Aouf Beniane Bou Hanifia Bou Henni Chorfa El Bordj El Gaada El Ghomri Hachem El Keurt El Menaouer Ferraguig Froha Gharrous Guerdjoum Guittena Ghriss Mamounia Hacine Khalouia Makdha Maoussa Mascara Matemore Mocta Douz Mohammadia Nesmoth Oggaz Oued El Abtal Oued Taria Ras Ain Amirouche Sedjerara Sehaîlia Sidi Abdeldjebar Sidi Abdelmoumen Sidi Kada Sidi Boussaid Sig Tighennif Tizi Zeralda Forest Zahana Zelameta
1994 earthquake There was an earthquake in the capital of Mascara City on 18 August 1994. The 5.9 Mw oblique-slip shock left 159 dead, 289 injured, and 8,000–10,000 homeless.
Notable people Emir Abdelkader (1808–1883) Emir Mustapha (1814 – 1863) Rachid Taha (1958 – 2018)
References