Sidi Bel Abbes

Sidi Bel Abbes (Arabic: ولاية سيدي بلعباس ) is one of the wilayas, or provinces, of Algeria in Saharan Africa, as well that wilaya's capital (1998 pop. 180,260). It is the commercial center of an important area of vineyards, market gardens, orchards, and grain fields. Farm and electronics equipment are manufactured.

The city, on the Mékerra River, developed around a French camp built in 1843. From 1931 until 1961, the city was the "holy city" or spiritual home of the French Foreign Legion, the location of its basic training camp, and the headquarters of its 1st Regiment. Until 1962, Sidi-bel-Abbès was headquarters of the French Foreign Legion.