El Menia

El Menia
المنيعة
Commune and town
View of El Menia
Location of El Menia commune within Ghardaïa Province
El Menia
Location of El Menia within Algeria
Coordinates: 30°35′N 2°53′E / 30.583°N 2.883°E / 30.583; 2.883
Country Algeria
ProvinceGhardaïa Province
DistrictEl Ménia District
Elevation
380 m (1,250 ft)
Population
 (2008)
  Total
40,195
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)

El Menia (Arabic: المنيعة) is an oasis town and commune, and capital of El Ménia District, in Ghardaïa Province, Algeria. The former name is El Goléa (Arabic: القليعة); together in Arabic, the two names mean Impregnable Castle. According to the 2008 census it has a population of 40,195, up from 28,848 in 1998, with an annual growth rate of 3.4%. The area is inhabited by the Zenete Berbers. El Menia oasis grows many agricultural products. The grave of the French priest Charles de Foucauld is located in the town.