Sétif, city, northeastern Algeria, capital of Sétif Province. Lying to the south of the Babor Mountains in the Little Kabylie region of the High Plateaus, it is a road and market center on a railroad. Grain and livestock are produced in the surrounding area. Formerly extensive phosphate deposits are now declining. Industries in Sétif include flour milling and woodworking and the manufacture of carpets and metal handicrafts. Zinc deposits are nearby, and a hydroelectric development is to the north. Located in the city is the University of Sétif (1978). Founded as the Roman veterans' colony of Sitifis in the 1st century AD, the community became a leading city of Mauretania Province in the 3rd century. The French occupied Sétif in the 19th century, and a fortified post was established in 1838. Population (1987) 170,182.
