Batna (, ) is the main city and commune of Batna Province, Algeria. With a population of 290,645 (2008 census) it is the fifth largest city in Algeria. It is also one of the principal cities of the Chaoui area and is considered the capital of Aurès. History The first solid foundations (a military encampment) of the city were erected by a French garrison in 1844, with a strategic mission to create a permanently guarded access point for the main Sahara road. Batna's geographical location offers a natural break through the Atlas Mountains. The Romans did not detect this passage in their early invasion phase. The ancient cities of Timgad and Lambese, built around the first century CE, are living examples of the importance that the Romans gave to commercial control over the region. Signature and proclamation of the Algerian revolution Batna The inhabitants of the city revolted against the French authorities at the beginning of colonization. Thereafter they organized the Algerian revolution against French colonialism. The first Batneens adhered to Messali Hadj (PPP), as did the Ulemas Ben Badis and the Movement for the Triumph of Democratic Freedoms (MTLD), and together they organized the great historic summit of 22, June 25, 1954. The Algerian revolution started at Batna under the chairmanship of Batnéen Mustapha Benboulaïd (FLN). Batna was the first military region of Algeria (zone 1) (1954–1962). On the night of November 1, 1954, the barracks of the city of Batna were attacked by the mujahedeen. Batna was the command headquarters of the Algerian revolution until independence. Bombing On September 6, 2007, Batna saw a massive Al-Qaeda suicide bombing. The bombing, which took place shortly before the visit of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, resulted in approximately 15–20 deaths and 107 injuries as the bomber detonated his device among a crowd waiting to see the President, who was at the end of a three-day tour of eastern Algeria. The bombings were condemned by the UN Security Council. Historical population Climate Located in the Aurès Mountains (part of the Atlas Mountains), at above sea level, Batna has a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk) with Mediterranean influences and an average annual precipitation of . Summers are moderately hot (by Saharan standards) and dry and winters are chilly and wetter, with the possibility of snowfall. Entertainment Many entertainment resorts are spread across the town. Regarding sports activities the most important destinations