Tizi Ouzou or Thizi Wezzu (, Kabyle: Tizi Wezzu) is a city in north central Algeria, and capital of Tizi Ouzou Province and Tizi Ouzou District. It is among the largest cities in Algeria. It is the second most populous city in the Kabylia region after Béjaïa.

History

Foundation

Tizi Ouzou was founded in 1856, after the successful expedition of France against Kabyle tribes.

Etymology

The name Tizi Ouzou is made up of two Kabyle words: Tizi meaning col, and Ouzou (from Azzu) meaning Genisteae. The full name of the locality therefore means "the col of the Genisteae".

Friction

Islamists looted, and burned to the ground, a Pentecostal church on 9 January 2010. The pastor was quoted as saying that worshipers fled when local police left a gang of local rioters unchecked.

Geography

This city is located in the heart of Kabylie. It is 102.36 km2 in area. Tizi Ouzou is located in the valley of Assif N Sébaou. It is surrounded by mountains. The city is at an altitude of 200 m. It is bounded on the north by Mount Belloua which rises to 850 m above sea level. A portion of the old city of Tizi Ouzou (known as the High City) backed the east slopes of the mountain. At the top of the mountain Belloua lies the village of Redjaouna. The latter is attached to the town of Tizi Ouzou.

Climate

Tizi Ouzou experiences a hot Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csa).

Demographics

There are 135,088 people in 2008.

Education

Mouloud Mammeri University of Tizi-Ouzou is the local university. There are three campuses: Campus Hasnaoua I, Campus Hasnaoua II, and Campus Tamda.

Sport

The local professional football team is JS Kabylie that is considered one of the most historical clubs in Algeria.

Economy

Agriculture (dairy industry) and some factories brick factories, pharmaceutical factories (Novo Nordisk).

Notable people

External sources