El-Boulaida

Town in Algeria, 20 km/12 mi south of Algiers by rail, situated at the base of the Maritime Atlas Mountains in Alger province; population (1998 est) 225,100. Founded by Moorish immigrants from Andalusia in 1553, it is surrounded by citrus, olive, and orange groves, and vineyards. It also produces cotton, raisins, grain, tobacco, corkwood, wine, flour products, soap, and building materials. The Wadi el-Kebîr supplies water for irrigation and is also used to generate hydoelectricity. The nearby Chrea skiing area has helped the growth of a tourist industry.