Mascara Province
# Mascara Province

Mascara (Arabic: معسكر Muʿaskar, Berber languages: ⵎⵄⴻⵙⴽⴻⵔ Mɛesker) is a province (wilaya) in Algeria. It was named after its capital, whose name is Arabic for "military garrison". It is unsure whether the place is related to "mascara", the cosmetic. Another important locality is the town of Sig.

## History

The province was created from parts of Mostaganem department and Oran (department) in 1974.

## Administrative divisions

The province is divided into 16 districts (daïras), which are further divided into 47 communes or municipalities.

### Districts

* Aïn Farès
* Aïn Fekan
* Aouf
* Bouhanifia
* El Bordj
* Ghriss
* Hachem
* Mascara
* Mohammedia
* Oggaz
* Ouled Attia
* Oued Taria
* Sig
* Tighenif
* Tizi
* Zahana

### Communes

* Aïn Fares
* Aïn Fekan
* Aïn Ferah
* Aïn Fras
* Alaimia
* Aouf
* Beniane
* Bou Hanifia
* Bou Henni
* Chorfa
* El Bordj
* El Gaada
* El Ghomri
* Hachem
* El Keurt
* El Menaouer
* Ferraguig
* Froha
* Gharrous
* Guerdjoum
* Guittena
* Ghriss
* Mamounia
* Hacine
* Khalouia
* Makdha
* Maoussa
* Mascara
* Matemore
* Mocta Douz
* Mohammadia
* Nesmoth
* Oggaz
* Oued El Abtal
* Oued Taria
* Ras Ain Amirouche
* Sedjerara
* Sehaîlia
* Sidi Abdeldjebar
* Sidi Abdelmoumen
* Sidi Kada
* Sidi Boussaid
* Sig
* Tighennif
* Tizi
* Zahana
* Zelameta

## 1994 earthquake

There was an earthquake in the capital of Mascara City on 18 August 1994. The 5.9 Mw oblique-slip shock left 159 dead, 289 injured, and 8,000–10,000 homeless.

## Notable people

* Emir Abdelkader (1808–1883)
* Emir Mustapha (1814 – 1863)
