Skikda

Trading port in Algeria, on the Gulf of Stora, 50 km/31 mi south of Constantine; population (1998) 152,300. Industries include petrochemicals, oil refining, the processing of fish and food, aluminium manufacture, and the smelting of iron ore. Exports include hydrocarbons, agricultural products, iron ore, marble, citrus fruit, vegetables, livestock, wheat, and wine. It was founded by the French in 1838 as Philippeville and renamed after independence in 1962.

Skikda occupies the site of ancient Rusicade, which was the port for Cirta (now Constantine), and has the remains of a large Roman theatre. A natural gas pipeline from the Sahara has its terminus here.