Mitidja

{{Short description|Plain in Northern Algeria}} {{Infobox landform | name = Mitidja | native_name = | other_name = Arabic: {{lang|ar|متيجة}} | type = Plain  | image = Mitidja.JPG | alt = | caption = Mitidja plain  | pushpin_map = #Algeria | map_caption = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_relief = yes | pushpin_label = | mark = | marker_size = | coordinates = {{Coord|36|36|0|N|2|54|0|E}} | coordinates_ref =  | location = Algerian provinces of Tipaza, Blida, Algiers, Boumerdès, Médéa. | range = | part_of =  | age = | orogeny = | formed_by = | geology =  | etymology = | nickname = | authority =  | operator =  | area =  | area_km2 = | area_mi2 = | area_ref =  | length =  | width =  | depth =  | drop =  | height =   | elevation =  | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = | elevation_ref = | surface_elevation =  | surface_elevation_m = | surface_elevation_ft = | surface_elevation_ref = | highest_point = | highest_elevation = | highest_coords =  }} '''Mitidja''', (Arabic: {{lang|ar|متيجة}}) is a plain stretching along the outskirts of Algiers in northern Algeria. It is about {{cvt|100|km}} long, with a width of {{cvt|5|to|20|km}}. Traditionally devoted largely to agriculture and serving as the breadbasket of Algiers, the area has in recent decades become increasingly urbanized with the expansion of Algiers.

==Geography==

The Mitidja plain is bounded on the east by the Boudouaou River, on the west by the Nador River, on the north by the hills of the Algiers Sahel, and on the south by the {{ill|Blidean Atlas|fr|Atlas blidéen}} range.<ref name="Côte-38">{{Harvsp|Côte|1996|p=38}}.</ref> It stretches about {{cvt|100|km}} from east to west, with a width varying from {{cvt|5|to|20|km}}<ref name="MATE-CAR/PAP-4">{{Harvsp|MATE|CAR/PAP|2006|p=4}}.</ref> At an average altitude of {{cvt|50|m}}, it slopes very slightly towards the sea.<ref name="Côte-38"/>

Its fertile soils enjoy a temperate Mediterranean climate with adequate rainfall,<ref name="Côte-38"/> and are devoted largely to the cultivation of citrus fruits in east and grapes in the west.<ref name="Côte-38"/>

From west to east, the plain traverses the wilayas (provinces) of Tipaza, Blida, Algiers, Boumerdès, and the north-eastern corner of Médéa. Four important urban centers are located along its edges: Algiers to the north, Blida to the south, Boumerdès to the east and Tipaza to the west, while Boufarik occupies the centre of the plain itself.<ref name="Côte-605">{{Harvsp|Côte|2009|p=605}}.</ref>

==References== ''This article uses material translated from the French Wikipedia article.'' {{reflist}}

==Bibliography== * {{cite book |last1=Côte |first1=Marc |title=Guide d'Algérie : paysages et patrimoine |publisher=Media-plus |isbn=9961-922-00-X|year=1996}} * {{cite book |last1=Côte |first1=Marc |title=L'Algérie et la France |publisher=R. Laffont |isbn=9782221109465 |pages=605–606|year=2009}} * {{cite web |author1=MATE|author2=CAR/PAP|title=Priority Actions Programme |url=http://www.pap-thecoastcentre.org/pdfs/Rapport%20final%20integre%20WEB.pdf |website=www.pap-thecoastcentre.org|year=2006}}

{{Authority control}} Category:Landforms of Algeria Category:Plains of Africa