{{Copy edit|date=August 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}} {{Infobox settlement |official_name = Mostaganem |native_name = مستغانم |native_name_lang = ar |nickname = Pearl of the Mediterranean |settlement_type = City |other_name = |motto = | imagesize = 290px | image_skyline = {{multiple image | total_width = 270 | border = infobox | perrow = 1/3/1/2/1 | caption_align = center | image1 = El arsa gate.jpg | caption1 = El Arsa Park | image2 = Mosquée de Tobana.jpg | caption2 = Tobana Mosque | image3 = Dar el kadi mestghanem.png | caption3 = Dar El Kaïd | image4 = Dar hamid el abd.jpg | caption4 = Dar Hamid El Abdi | image5 = Bordj ettork mostaganem.jpg | caption5 = Bordj Ettork and Mostaganem Tramway | image6 = Mosquee chiekh al alawi mostghanem.jpg | caption6 = Zawiya Al-Alawiyya of Mostaganem | image7 = Cap du phare ivi mostaganem.png | caption7 = Cap Ivi lighthouse | image8 = Mostaland parc de loisir.jpg | caption8 = Mostaland }} |image_caption = |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = Coats of arms of Mostaganem.svg |seal_size = |image_map = DZ 27 Mostaganem.svg |mapsize = 180 |map_caption = |pushpin_map = Algeria |pushpin_label_position = bottom |pushpin_mapsize = |pushpin_map_caption = |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = {{flag|Algeria}} |subdivision_type1 = Province |subdivision_name1 = Mostaganem Province |subdivision_type2 = District |subdivision_name2 = Mostaganem District |subdivision_type3 = |subdivision_name3 = |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title = |leader_name = |established_title = |established_date = |area_magnitude = |area_footnotes = |area_total_km2 = 50 |area_land_km2 = |population_as_of = 2014 census |population_footnotes = |population_note = |population_total = 245330 |population_density_km2 = auto |timezone = CET |utc_offset = +1 |coordinates = {{coord|35|56|N|0|5|E|display=inline,title}} |elevation_footnotes = |elevation_m = 104 |elevation_ft = |postal_code_type = Postal code |postal_code = 27000 |area_code = |blank_name = |blank_info = |website = |footnotes = }}
'''Mostaganem''' ({{langx|ar|مستغانم|translit=Mustaghānim}}, {{Langx|ber|ⵎⵓⵙⵜⴰⵖⴰⵏⵎ|Mustaɣanm}}) is a Mediterranean sea port and capital city of Mostaganem province, in the northwest of Algeria in the Gulf of Arzew. Founded in the 11th century as ''Murustage'', the city is {{convert|72|km}} ENE of Oran and has origins dating back to Punic and Roman times. In 1516, it was captured by the Ottoman admiral Barbarossa and became a center for Mediterranean Sea corsairs, as well as a commercial port. By 1700, it had come under Ottoman rule. In 1833, the city was taken by France and a garrison established. Algeria became independent in 1962. It is the second-largest city in the country's northwest, after Oran, and Algeria's fourth-largest port city with 406,190 inhabitants as of the 2019 census.<ref name="ONSU">{{cite report |isbn=978-9961-792-74-2 |issn=((1111–5114)) |url=http://www.ons.dz/IMG/armature2008-%20FINAL%281%29.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927232532/http://www.ons.dz/IMG/armature2008-%20FINAL%281%29.pdf |archive-date=27 September 2013 |title=Armature urbaine |year=2008 |publisher=Office National des Statistiques |lang=fr |series=Series S: Statistiques Sociales, Algeria |volume=163/2011}}</ref>
Mostaganem is home to the medical provider and college, the University of Mostaganem which was established in 1979. The university is referred to locally as the University of Abdelhamid Ibn Badis (UMAB). The name is taken from Abdelhamid Ibn Badis who is a popular figure of Muslim reform movements in Algeria. The university offers curricula from bachelor's to doctorates in computer science as well as a medical doctorate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=University of Mostaganem Abdelhamid Ibn Badis |url=https://studyinalgeria.dz/pages/24928 |access-date=2026-02-14 |website=studyinalgeria.dz}}</ref>
The city's major sports teams are ESA Mostaganem, and WA Mostaganem. Both are Algerian football teams and both play in the Mohamed Bensaïd Stadium.
==Etymology== Mostaganem is said to correspond to the ancient Punic port of Murustaga. It is claimed that after becoming part of the Roman Empire, it was renamed to Cartennae under the emperor Gallienus (253–268).<ref name=MM>[http://murustaga-mostaganem27.webs.com/ Murustaga-Mostaganem] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201192800/http://murustaga-mostaganem27.webs.com/ |date=1 February 2014}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=January 2026}} However, according to academics, Cartennae (or Cartenna or Cartennas) is modern Ténès, a town 50 km to the east of Mostaganem.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=jjBYQCpfCNkC&dq=Cartennae+T%C3%A9n%C3%A8s&pg=PA128 J. D. Fage, Roland Anthony Oliver (editors), ''The Cambridge History of Africa'', Vol. 2 (Cambridge University Press 1978] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022010254/https://books.google.com/books?id=jjBYQCpfCNkC&dq=Cartennae+T%C3%A9n%C3%A8s&pg=PA128 |date=22 October 2023 }} {{ISBN|978-0-52121592-3}}), p. 118</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Rq8mBAAAQBAJ&dq=Cartennae+T%C3%A9n%C3%A8s&pg=PA84 Early Christianity in North Africa] François Decret, Early Christianity in North Africa (James Clarke & Co. 2014] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022010253/https://books.google.com/books?id=Rq8mBAAAQBAJ&dq=Cartennae+T%C3%A9n%C3%A8s&pg=PA84 |date=22 October 2023 }} {{ISBN|978-0-22790308-7}}), p. 84</ref> Murustaga is the name by which the town was known when it became a Christian bishopric, and by which it is referred to in the Catholic Church's list of episcopal sees.<ref>''Annuario Pontificio 2013'' (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2013, {{ISBN|978-88-209-9070-1}}), p. 935</ref>
==History== [[File:Mostaganem CPS W.658.269b Fp DD 300.jpg|thumb|alt=The coasts of Mostaganem in Piri Reis's book Kitab-ı Bahriye|The coasts of Mostaganem in Piri Reis's book the ''Kitab-ı Bahriye''|left|328x328px]] The town was ruled by the Zirid dynasty between 973 and 1146. Then, it was conquered by the Almoravid dynasty, and reached its high point of power under Yusuf ibn Tashfin (c. 1061–1106). Mostaganem was later ruled by the Zayyanid dynasty of Tlemcen and it was conquered again by the Marinid dynasty of Fes. After that the Zayyanid dynasty took control of the city again. In the 16th century, the town resisted a Spanish invasion and came under the power of the Ottoman Hayreddin Barbarossa.<ref name=MM/>
==WWII== Navy battalions set sail aboard L.S.Ts (Landing Ship Tanks) towards an unknown destination, code named "Island X". Island X would turn out to be the Gulf of Arzew in Northern Algeria. In April 1943, US Navy forces "D" company arrived in Mostaganem to build an amphibious port. The port in Mostaganem was the largest base of its kind. It had electricity, running water, roads, a hospital, and pontoon shops. The arrival of Allied forces in Mostaganem were welcome and the locals were friendly towards the soldiers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=54th Naval Construction Battalion Historical Information |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/museums/Seabee/UnitListPages/NCB/054%20NCB.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251118115322/https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/museums/Seabee/UnitListPages/NCB/054%20NCB.pdf |archive-date=2025-11-18 |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=www.history.navy.mil}}</ref>
==Geography== <div> The city of Mostaganem is divided by the ravine of the Wadi Ain Sefra (River) . Mostaganem is considered to consist of two regions, the modern Eastern quarter, and Western quarter with the old Muslim city, Tidgit. The port and beaches occupy the south.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Mostaganem {{!}} Algeria, Mediterranean Coast, Port City |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Mostaganem |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251108232147/https://www.britannica.com/place/Mostaganem |archive-date=2025-11-08 |access-date=2026-02-13 |work=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> The Ain Safra River flooded the city of Mostaganem in 1900. Though recently, the Cheliff River flooding has caused property damage and loss of life notably in 2000, 2001, 2010, and 2017.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Kikes |first=F |last2=Aouniti |first2=A |last3=Corselli |first3=C |date=July 2018 |title=Assessment of the coastal environment status in Western Algeria: Mostaganem case study |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343635792_Assessment_of_the_coastal_environmental_status_in_Western_Algeria_Mostaganem_case_study |journal=Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences |via=Università Degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy}}</ref> thumb|Sidi Lakhdar beach.|none|322x322pxThe city has expanded three times its size between 1962 and 2004, claiming {{convert|18|km|mi|abbr=on}} of coastal zone. This growth in combination with agricultural and industrial activities have caused environmental concerns.<ref name=":0" />
==Tourism== The city of Mostaganem features a port on the Mediterranean Sea that has a ferry,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mostaganem Ferries, Port Info & Travel Guide |url=https://www.ferryhopper.com/en/destinations/algeria/mostaganem |access-date=2026-02-14 |website=ferryhopper |language=en}}</ref> Amusement Park,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mostaland animal barn and amusement park - Mostaland |url=https://mostaland.dz/en |access-date=2026-02-14 |website=mostaland.dz |language=en}}</ref> commercial district, religious heritage sites, and beaches.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home - Direction of Tourism and Handicrafts Mostaganem |url=https://mostaganem.mta.gov.dz/en/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250520191811/https://mostaganem.mta.gov.dz/en/ |archive-date=2025-05-20 |access-date=2026-02-14 |website=Direction of Tourism and Handicrafts Mostaganem |language=en-US}}</ref> </div>
==Climate== Mostaganem has a mild Mediterranean climates (Köppen climate classification ''Csa''). In winter there is more rainfall than in summer. The average annual temperature in Mostaganem is {{convert|17.9|°C|1}}. About {{convert|347|mm|2|abbr=on}} of precipitation falls annually.
{{Weather box|location = Mostaganem (1991-2020) |metric first = Y |single line = Y
| unit precipitation days =1.0mm | precip days colour =
|Jan record high C = 25.8 |Feb record high C = 32.6 |Mar record high C = 34.5 |Apr record high C = 35.8 |May record high C = 42.5 |Jun record high C = 43.6 |Jul record high C = 45.9 |Aug record high C = 45.0 |Sep record high C = 39.6 |Oct record high C = 38.7 |Nov record high C = 32.0 |Dec record high C = 28.7 |year record high C =
|Jan record low C = -2.2 |Feb record low C = -1.7 |Mar record low C = -1.4 |Apr record low C = 0.2 |May record low C = 4.1 |Jun record low C = 6.6 |Jul record low C = 11.0 |Aug record low C = 10.7 |Sep record low C = 8.0 |Oct record low C = 4.2 |Nov record low C = -0.6 |Dec record low C = -2.0 |year record low C =
|Jan high C = 16.2 |Feb high C = 17.0 |Mar high C = 19.2 |Apr high C = 21.3 |May high C = 24.5 |Jun high C = 28.3 |Jul high C = 31.6 |Aug high C = 32.3 |Sep high C = 28.7 |Oct high C = 25.2 |Nov high C = 20.0 |Dec high C = 17.3
| Jan mean C = 11.0 | Feb mean C = 11.7 | Mar mean C = 13.6 | Apr mean C = 15.7 | May mean C = 18.9 | Jun mean C = 22.6 | Jul mean C = 25.7 | Aug mean C = 26.4 | Sep mean C = 23.3 | Oct mean C = 19.7 | Nov mean C = 15.0 | Dec mean C = 12.3 | year mean C = 18.0
|Jan low C = 5.8 |Feb low C = 6.3 |Mar low C = 8.0 |Apr low C = 10.0 |May low C = 13.3 |Jun low C = 16.8 |Jul low C = 19.7 |Aug low C = 20.4 |Sep low C = 17.8 |Oct low C = 14.2 |Nov low C = 10.0 |Dec low C = 7.4 |year low C = 12.5
|precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 56.7 |Feb precipitation mm = 46.9 |Mar precipitation mm = 36.4 |Apr precipitation mm = 38.1 |May precipitation mm = 23.6 |Jun precipitation mm = 3.9 |Jul precipitation mm = 1.3 |Aug precipitation mm = 3.0 |Sep precipitation mm = 22.4 |Oct precipitation mm = 33.4 |Nov precipitation mm = 69.5 |Dec precipitation mm = 55.4 |year precipitation mm= 390.6
| Jan precipitation days =6.3 | Feb precipitation days =6.2 | Mar precipitation days =5.0 | Apr precipitation days =4.7 | May precipitation days =2.9 | Jun precipitation days =0.9 | Jul precipitation days =0.4 | Aug precipitation days =0.7 | Sep precipitation days =2.9 | Oct precipitation days =4.6 | Nov precipitation days =7.2 | Dec precipitation days =6.1
| Jan humidity =77 | Feb humidity =76 | Mar humidity =77 | Apr humidity =69 | May humidity =72 | Jun humidity =69 | Jul humidity =68 | Aug humidity =64 | Sep humidity =70 | Oct humidity =74 | Nov humidity =75 | Dec humidity =71 | year humidity =72
| Jand sun =6.6 | Febd sun =7.6 | Mard sun =7.9 | Aprd sun =8.9 | Mayd sun =9.9 | Jund sun =10.8 | Juld sun =11.5 | Augd sun =10.9 | Sepd sun =9.4 | Octd sun =8.2 | Novd sun =7.4 | Decd sun =6.7 | yeard sun = |source 1 = NOAA (temperatures, precipitation 1991–2020)<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Algeria/CSV/Mostaganem_60457.csv |title = Mostaganem Climate Normals for 1991-2020 |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = 9 October 2023 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231009172356/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Algeria/CSV/Mostaganem_60457.csv |archive-date = 9 October 2023 }}</ref> |source 2 = Deutscher Wetterdienst (humidity 1976-1995, sun 1961-1990)<ref>{{cite web |title=Klimadaten ausgewählter Wetterstationen: Algerien |url=https://www.dwd.de/DE/leistungen/klimadatenwelt/afrika/ac/algerien/algerien_node.html |website=Dwd.de |publisher=Deutscher Wetterdinest |access-date=28 July 2023 |language=German |archive-date=28 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728144450/https://www.dwd.de/DE/leistungen/klimadatenwelt/afrika/ac/algerien/algerien_node.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |date=18 January 2018}}
==Present situation== {{unreferenced section|date=January 2026}} In 2010, a tunnel under the city and toward the city center was completed to change traffic flow significantly. Also, new buildings, some modern and some in colonial style, are being added to this growing city. The new autoroute from the capital Algiers towards Oran will make it easier also to access Mostaganem by road from the capital, as Mostaganem has no public airport. The road connecting Oran (around 80 km from Mostaganem to the west) will remain the same, a crowded 2 lane in each direction highway.
The port of Mostaganem is being used for unloading of all sorts of cargo, ranging from provisions to cars and pipelines. As in most ports of Algeria, it is not allowed to sailors to exit the port and visit the city. The port is being shared by large transport vessels and fishing boats alike. A new, smaller port for fishing boats has been constructed, but is currently not used.thumb|El Arsa
==Notable people== {{alumni|people|section|date=June 2022}} * Louis Franchet d'Espèrey, French general, was born in Mostaganem in 1856.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Louis-Félix-François Franchet d'Esperey {{!}} WWI, Allied Victory, Armistice |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-Felix-Francois-Franchet-dEsperey |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250709143256/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-Felix-Francois-Franchet-dEsperey |archive-date=2025-07-09 |access-date=2026-02-13 |work=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> * Sheikh Hamada, musician.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cheikh Hamada |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/1121085-Cheikh-Hamada |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=Discogs |language=en}}</ref> * Muhammad ibn Ali as-Senussi, poet.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Muhammad ibn Ali al-Sanusi - The Sanusi Order |url=https://ghayb.com/muhammad-ibn-ali-al-sanusi-the-sanusi-order/ |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=Ghayb.com |language=en-US}}</ref> * Mohamed Chouikh, cinema director.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mohamed Chouikh {{!}} Director, Actor, Writer |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0159363/ |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}</ref> * Ahmad al-Alawi, notable religious figures of the 20th century was also born and later buried in Mostaganem.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shaykh Ahmad Al-'Alawi: Life and Work |url=http://www.worldwisdom.com/public/authors/Shaykh-Ahmad-al-Alawi.aspx |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=www.worldwisdom.com}}</ref> * Alain-Julien Rudefoucauld, French writer and playwright was born in Mostaganem in 1950.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rudefoucauld, Alain Julien – éditions do |url=https://www.editionsdo.fr/rudefoucauld-alain-julien |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=www.editionsdo.fr}}</ref> * Abdelkader Ouali (born 1952), politician.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Abdelkader Ouali |url=https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-10826-363049/abdelkader-ouali-in-famous-people-throughout-history?tr_id=m_yaxysu65ew_dajf6y8akb |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=www.myheritage.com}}</ref>
== See also == {{Portal|Algeria}} * Mostaganem Airport * Mostaganem Tramway
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category}} * [http://mostaghanem.wordpress.com/ Mostaganem dz by Mohammed Abbassa] * [http://abbassa.wordpress.com/divers/ History and old postcards of Algeria] * [http://annales.univ-mosta.dz Annals of Heritage (Journal of the University)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428234249/http://annales.univ-mosta.dz/ |date=28 April 2012 }} * [http://mostaganemalgerie.free.fr/ Mostaganem pictures and many things by S. Benhenda] * [http://www.mostaganem.org/ Mostaganem Its History, Photograph, Current events, Culture, Geography]
{{Province seats of Algeria}} {{Mostaganem Province}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Cities in Algeria Category:Coastal cities in Algeria Category:Populated places in Mostaganem Province Category:Province seats of Algeria