Batna is the main city of Batna Province, Algeria. With a population of 290,645 (2008 census)[1] it is the fifth largest city in Algeria. It is also one of the principal cities of the Chaoui area and is considered the capital of the Aures. The first solid foundations (a military encampment) of the city were erected by a French garrison in 1844, with a strategic mission to create a permanently guarded access point for the main Sahara road. Batna's geographical location offers a natural break through the Atlas Mountains. The Romans did not detect this passage in their early invasion phase. The ancient cities of Timgad and Lambese, built around the first century CE, are living examples of the importance that the Romans gave to commercial control over the region. The inhabitants of the city revolted against the French authorities at the beginning of colonization. Thereafter they organized the Algerian revolution against colonialism French. The first Batneens adhered to Messali Hadj (PPP), as did the Ulemas Ben Badis and the Movement for the Triumph of Democratic Freedoms (MTLD), and together they organized the great historic summit of 22, June 25, 1954. The Algerian revolution started at Batna under the chairmanship of Batnéen Mustapha Benboulaïd (FLN). Batna was the first military region of L 'Algeria (zone 1) 1954 1962. On the night of November 1, 1954, the barracks of the city of Batna was attacked by the mujahedeen. Batna was the command headquarters of the Algerian revolution until independence. On September 6, 2007, Batna saw a massive Al-Qaeda suicide bombing. The bombing, which took place shortly before the visit of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, resulted in approximately 15-20 deaths and 107 injuries as the bomber detonated his device among a crowd waiting to see the President, who was at the end of a three-day tour of eastern Algeria. The bombings were condemned by the UN Security Council. Located in the Aurès Mountains (part of the Atlas Mountains), at 1,048 metres (3,438 ft) above sea level, Batna has a semi-arid climate with Mediterranean influences and an average annual precipitation of 326 millimetres (12.8 in). Summers are moderately hot (by Saharan standards) and dry and winters are chilly and wetter, with the possibility of snowfall. This climate is described by the Köppen climate classification as BSk. This city has the lowest recorded temperature in Algeria, of −20 °C (−4 °F), on January 4, 1945. Most people speak Chaouia, fluent in French and very little English. Many entertainment resorts are spread across the town. With regard to sports activities the most important destinations are the 1st November Stadium (Stade du premier Novembre), and Seffouhi Stadium, which is used mainly for soccer clubs and festivals (CAB & MSPB are the biggest teams in the city), in addition to the Scholar Stadium. For cultural activities there is a municipal Cultural House, which is located behind the Prefecture and covers many cultural and educational activities, in addition to the Islamic Cultural Center in the heart of the city and the Youth House in Cite Ennaser. For children, an attraction park is located in Kechida, which is approximately a ten minute drive from the downtown area. However, this park is undergoing maintenance for few years. Batnian youths enjoy having a seat at a café and chatting with friends, discussing affairs, or playing domino, chess, or cards. Another important hobby is hopping on a computer in a cyber café, due to the affordable price. Online, the youths enjoy just googling, surfing the internet, or chatting with overseas people using MSN, Yahoo! Messenger, Skype, caramail, and so on. With regard to night life, due to some religious and cultural limitations, there are almost no night clubs in the city. However, a warm atmosphere for a perfect night life is concentrated in the heart of the city, around Les allées Benboulaïd and "STAND" areas, especially during summer break. Downtown Batna has plenty of cafés, traditional restaurants (Chouwaya) or GARGOUTTIER, Pizzerias, French and oriental bakeries, and a limited number of luxury restaurants. Many festivities take place in allées Ben Boulaïd area, mainly in the season of International Timgad Festival (usually between 04-15july every year). The most attractive exciting places surrounding the city are, Lambese (also called Lambaesis), Timgad, Balcons de Ghoufi, Chelaalaa, and Belezma National Park.