Mostaganem or Mostghanem, is a trading and fishing port on the Gulf of Arzew and administrative capital of the Mostaganem Department - a rich agricultural area also designed for industrial development. The town lies some 80km (50 miles) north-east of Oran, to wich it is linked by rail. Founded in the 11th century, it reached the height of its prosperity under the Turks in the 16th century. The town is divided by the ravine of the Wadi Aïn Sefra, with the modern quarter on the left bank and the compact Muslim sector of Tidgit on the right. The port area and bathing beaches at La Salamandre and Les Sablettes are to the southwest. Industries include sugar refining and paper-pulp processing. Today, it exports citrus fruits, wine, wool, grain and vegetables. An 11th-century citadel is the feature of the older part of town "Bordj el-Mehal".

Population : (estimated) 150.000