Chlef (Arabic: ولاية الشلف, Berber: ⴰⴳⴻⵣⴷⵓ ⵏ ⵛⵍⴻⴼ) (formerly known as El Asnam) is a province (wilaya) in Algeria. Its capital and biggest city is Chlef. It is the 8th most populous province in the country, having just over 1 million inhabitants.
Chlef Province
ولاية الشلف
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The coast of Chlef Province
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Map of Algeria highlighting Chlef
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| Coordinates: 36°10′N 01°20′E / 36.167°N 1.333°E / 36.167; 1.333 | |
| Country |  Algeria |
| Capital | Chlef |
| Government | |
| • PPA president | Mohamed Meheni (FLN) |
| • Wāli | Mr. Lakhdar Sedas |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4,975 km2 (1,921 sq mi) |
| Population
(2008)[1]
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| • Total | 1,013,718 |
| • Density | 200/km2 (530/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01 (CET) |
| Area Code | +213 (0) 27 |
| ISO 3166 code | DZ-02 |
| Districts | 13 |
| Municipalities | 35 |
| Website | wilaya-chlef.com |
Chlef Province is an important agricultural region, as it is located on the plain of the Middle Chelif Basin and has access to an abundance of water resources. 65.43% of the province is dedicated to agriculture. Other notable industries in the province include breeding, glass production, and plastic processing.[2] As well as these industries, Chlef Province is also home to two dams.
Being located in the Atlas Mountains, Chlef also has a sizeable seismic risk, being struck by a 6.7 magnitude earthquake in 1954 and a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in 1980.[3]
The province was originally named El Asnam until 1980 when it became known at Ech Chéliff, later known as Chlef.
In 1980, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the province, killing up to 5,000 and displacing 300,000.
In 1984, Aïn Defla Province was carved out of its territory.[why?]
The province of Chlef is located at the Western Tell 200 km west of Algiers.
The province is divided into 13 districts (daïras), which are further divided into 35 communes or municipalities.
