El Hamel

El Hamel
Commune and town
View of the northern side of the Ouled Naïl Range
View of the northern side of the Ouled Naïl Range
El Hamel is located in Algeria
El Hamel
El Hamel
Coordinates: 35°8′N 4°5′E / 35.133°N 4.083°E / 35.133; 4.083
Country Algeria
ProvinceM'Sila Province
DistrictBou Saâda District
Population
 (2008)
 • Total11,018
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)

El Hamel is a town and commune in M'Sila Province, Algeria. According to the 1998 census it has a population of 10,195.[1]

El Hamel was built in the 11th century on two hills at the foot of Mount Omrane; Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the city resembles a medieval citadel below which flows the Great Oued. The village of the Saharan type, on a hill, while the zaouïa whose appearance resembles a fortress (ribât) rises on the second.