Algeria“By the people and for the people.”

By: Imaad Thakur

Basic Facts about Algeria

The country’s official name is People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.

It is located in the Magrib (Northwestern) region of the African Continent.

Its capital is Algiers which is also the most populated city of Algeria.

Kassaman (We pledge) is the national anthem.

It has a population of 31 million. It is the largest country in Africa (after

Sudan broke up into North and South Sudan in 2011), in the Arab world, and in the Mediterranean Basin.

Political map of Algeria

The Flag of Algeria

Algerian flag

 Algeria's flag has two equal sides of green and white; in the center of the flag is a red crescent and a smaller, red, five-pointed star located within the crescent. The crescent and star, and the color green are traditional symbols of Islam.

Geography and Climate

Largest country in the Arab world and in Africa.

More than 90% of the country is covered by the Saharan Desert (mostly in the south).

In the north are the Tell Atlas and the Saharan Atlas mountain ranges.

In the south are the Ahaggar Mountains. The area from the northern coast to the

Tell Atlas region is very fertile and good for agriculture.

It has a desert climate – very hot during the day but chilly at night.

There is plenty of rain in the coastal area of the Tell Atlas but inland is dry and desert like.

Physical map of Algeria

Wildlife

Most commonly seen wildlife includes wild boars, jackals, and gazelles. Snakes, scorpions, lizards, and reptiles are found in the arid regions of the country. Camels are widely used in the desert regions.

Olive trees, oaks, cedars, and other conifers are found in the north.

Grape vine is local to the coastal areas.

Fig, eucalyptus, agave, and various palm trees grow in the warmer southern areas.

History of Algeria

Arab Muslims arrived in Algeria in the mid-7th century and introduced the religion of Islam to the region.

The French invaded and captured Algiers in 1830. It was a long and bloody conquest.

For over 132 years Algeria was ruled by France.

In 1962, Algeria gained independence from France.

French influence is still evident today as French is still spoken in Algeria.

Political System

Algeria is an Authoritarian system which means “Not Free”.

The president is the head of the state and is elected for a 5 year term.

The president (currently – Abdelaziz Bouteflika) is the head of the Army and he appoints the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister (currently – Abdelmalek Sellal) is the head of the government.

Language/Ethnicity

The official language of Algeria is Arabic.

Other spoken languages are Berber and French.

The major ethnic group in Algeria is Arab Berber. They are the indigenous group of people found in North Africa west of the Nile River.

Less than 1% of the population is of European descent.

Religion

Islam is the official and predominant religion. 99% of the population follows Sunni Islam.

There are about 250,000 Christians in Algeria.

Before independence there were a few Algerian Jews most of whom emigrated when Algeria became independent.

Education

Children between the ages of 5 to 15 are required to get a formal education.

5% of the population is considered illiterate.

There are 46 universities, 10 colleges, and 7 institutes of higher learning.

Economy

Algeria's economy is based primarily on oil and natural gas.

Algeria's main exports are oil and gas, followed by dates, tobacco, leather goods, vegetables, and phosphates.

At independence, economy was based on agriculture. However, due to droughts, and lack of irrigation and machinery, Algeria is only able to produce 25% of its food needs.

Unemployment rate is a staggering 30%. This has led many Algerians to immigrate to France in search of employment.

Culture

In cities, most men and some younger women, now wear European-style clothing.

The traditional garb is a white woolen cloak, called a gandoura, worn over a long cotton shirt.

Traditional arts of Algeria are rug-making, pottery, embroidery, and jewelry-making.

Music, dance, film making, and literature are also popular in culture.

Sports and Recreation

Checkers, chess, racing, and rifle shooting are part of the cultural recreation of Algerians.

The most popular sport is football (soccer). The Algerian football team qualified for the 1982,1986, and 2010 FIFA World Cup but never made it past the first round.

Some other sports of interest are judo, boxing, volleyball, swimming, and cycling.

Camel racing is popular in the southern desert regions.

Algerian Football team at World Cup 2010

Camel racing

References

http://www.mongabay.com/history/algeria/algeria-early_history.html

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/africa/algeria/flag/

http://www.map-of-africa.co.uk/map-of-algeria.htm

http://countrystudies.us/algeria/51.htm http://www.algeria.com/religion/ Culture of Algeria - history, people, clothing, tr

aditions, women, beliefs, food, customs, family http://www.everyculture.com/A-Bo/Algeria.html#ixzz2BOZztLkm

"Algeria." U.S. Library of Congress. www.lcweb2.loc.gov

"Destination Algeria." Lonely Planet, 2000. www.lonelyplanet.com/dest/afr/alg