Located in the most north-westerly region of Algeria, the Abou Bakr Belkaïd University of Tlemcen is a coeducational public university that received university status in 1989. It had been founded as the Centre Universitaire de Tlemcen in 1974. Most of the university's campuses are based in the vibrant city of Tlemcen, the capital of the province of the same name, 50km from the Mediterranean sea, which is renowned for its Moorish architecture. A historic trade city built on the site of the old roman town of Pomaria, Tlemcen is vibrant, welcoming, home to good food, noteworthy caves, temples and mosques, and blessed with spectacular views of the Tlemcen Mountains. The university also has a campus in the smaller town of Maghnia, 30km to the west.