It is bordered by Ali Mendjeli to the east, Oued Athmania (Mila Province) to the west, Ibn Ziad to the north and El Khroub to the south.

Ain Smara has a population of about 32,548 people (2008) with 175 km² land area.

It was colonized by the French from 1830 to 1962 and remained a quarter of Oued Athmania until the administrative division of 1984, when Ain Smara became a municipality.

The two main football clubs are Ittihad Riyadi Beladiat Aïn Smara (IRBAS)[1] and Mouloudia Beladiat Aïn Smara (MBAS).

Several other sports use Bachiri Mokhtar complex, including judo, karate, handball and volleyball.