KSAR EL-BOUKHARI

also called Boghari, town, north-central Algeria. Lying along the Chelif River at the junction of the High Plateau and the Atlas Mountains, the town is almost totally surrounded by wooded mountain ridges. The old walled quarter (ksar) is on a hill, overlooking the modern town. Ksar el-Boukhari is a commercial centre for pastoral peoples of the interior, who trade in wool, livestock, and cereals. It also supports a local carpet industry. Immediately northwest is the village and fort of Boghar (Balcon du Sud), a strategic command post. Pop. (1987 prelim.) 39,003.