Mascara Province

Mascara (Arabic: معسكر Muʿaskar, Berber languages: ⵎⵄⴻⵙⴽⴻⵔ Mɛesker) is a province (wilaya) in Algeria, named after its capital, whose name is Arabic for "military garrison". It is uncertain whether the place's name is related to "mascara", the cosmetic. Another important locality is the town of Sig.

The province was created from parts of Mostaganem department and Oran (department) in 1974.

The province is divided into 16 districts (daïras), which are further divided into 47 communes or municipalities.

There was an earthquake in the capital of Mascara City on 18 August 1994. The 5.9 Mw oblique-slip shock left 159 dead, 289 injured, and 8,000–10,000 homeless.