Jijel, formerly Djidjelli, town and roadstead port, northeastern
Algeria, on the Mediterranean seacoast and the western edge of
the Collo Kabylie region. The city of Jijel, originally a
Phoenician trading post, passed successively to the Romans (as
Igilgili), the Arabs, and, in the 16th century, to the pirate
Khayr ad-Dīn (Barbarossa). It remained a corsair stronghold
until captured by the French in 1839. Strong local resistance,
finally subdued in 1851, resulted in the construction of three
forts along its southern fringe and minimal colonization. The
original town was devastated by an earthquake in 1856.
Surrounded by dense cork-oak forest and protected by a peninsula
and citadel to the north, Jijel was replanned along modern
lines, with wide streets shaded by plane trees. The main
industries are cork processing, leather tanning, and steel
making. There is an active export trade in agricultural
products. Jijel is also a seaside resort with fine sand beaches
and a casino.  The surrounding region supports com