Relizane

Relizane, also called Ighil Izane, town, northwestern Algeria, near Wadi Mîna, which is a tributary of the Chelif River. Built near the ruined Roman settlement of Mina, modern Relizane is a typical French-style town of wide streets and parks. It is surrounded by orchards and gardens, and a large area of cropland is irrigated with waters from the Wadi Mîna via the Bakhadda Dam. Cereals, grapes, and cotton are grown in the surrounding area, and there is trade in livestock and wool. The famous Kalaa Oriental carpets are also marketed in the town. Realizane is the feeder point of the Hassi RʾMel natural-gas pipeline to the coastal cities and is a road and railway junction. Pop. (1998) 104,285; (2008) 124,882.