Blida
[key], town, N Algeria, at the foot of the Mitidja Atlas Mts. The name
also appears as El Boulaïda. It is an administrative center and an
agricultural trading town. Blida is surrounded by gardens and by orange,
olive, and almond tree plantations. Wheat, barley and tobacco are also
grown. The city is noted for its fruit and flower essences. Built on the
site of a Roman military base, Blida was founded in 1553 by Andalusians, who
developed irrigation works and orange cultivation. Most of the old town was
destroyed by earthquakes in 1825 and 1867.
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