Geographical Analysis of Center-Periphery Relations in Mountainous Regions of Northern Algeria

Abstract

Abstract: The demographic weight of peripheral cities surrounding the central city of Médéa in northern Algeria is more significant compared to the central cities of the Tell Atlas Mountains. Therefore, the comparison between the surrounding peripherals cities is typical to highlight the functional link in the economic and service field which are among the essential foundations that contribute to strengthening and improving the functional relationship between the center and the periphery. The field study that we conducted on the three peripheral cities of Draa Essamar, Ouzra, and Berrouaghia surrounding the city of Médéa in 2020 showed that there is a great functional relationship between the residents of peripheral of each Draa Essamar and Ouzra and the central city Médéa. This relationship ranges between 80%-90% for work, health, and shopping, which is considered One of the main reasons for the high percentage of connection of these two peripherals to the central city, in contrast to the periphery of Berrouaghia 17%, which is more independent than its predecessors, a which makes it at present the most fortunate to become an urban pole. The study also showed meaning that the continued rapid development of urban areas in the Atlas Mountains will have a profound impact on the evolution of the ecological environment.