It is named after Sidi bel Abbass, a Muslim marabout or noble man who is buried there.

[1] The city is the commercial center of an important area of vineyards, market gardens, orchards, and grain fields.

[2] The main buildings were in the French military district of the Quartier Vienot.The training centre of the modern Algerian National Gendarmerie is located in Sidi Bel Abbès.

Wide boulevards and squares replaced the traditional quarters, causing the town to lose much of its former character.

The city sits astride both banks of the Sig River, and lake Sidi Mohamed Benali.

The local football team is USM Bel Abbès, which plays in 24 Fevrier Stadium.

[4] The light rail line is 14.7 kilometers in length, with 22 stations covering most of the main points in the city such as 3 Bus stations, Daira, University campus, Down Town, and Public Garden, although it doesn't serve the west of the city and the south.

Sidi Bel Abbès has a railway station from which trains travel to Oran, Tlemcen, Béchar and Saïda.