Algeria

Algeria
Original: National Liberation Front of Algeria Vector: SKopp · Public domain · source
Conventional long name	People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
Largest city	Algiers
Official languages	Arabic, Tamazight
Government type	Unitary semi-presidential republic
Leader title1	President
Leader name1	Abdelmadjid Tebboune
Leader title2	Prime Minister
Leader name2	Nadir Larbaoui
Area km2	2,381,741
Population estimate	45 million
Population estimate year	2023

Algeria. It is the largest country in Africa and the Arab world, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north. The nation's modern identity was forged through a protracted war of independence against France, culminating in sovereignty in 1962. Its landscape encompasses a vast portion of the Sahara Desert, alongside significant mountain ranges and a fertile coastal plain.

Geography

Algeria's terrain is dominated by two primary geographic zones. The Tell Atlas and the Saharan Atlas mountain ranges frame the northern coastal plains, which include major cities like Algiers, Oran, and Annaba. South of these ranges lies the expansive Sahara Desert, which contains the dramatic sand seas of the Grand Erg Oriental and the Grand Erg Occidental, as well as the mountainous Hoggar region near Tamanrasset. Key features include the Chott Melrhir salt lake and the M'zab Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The climate ranges from Mediterranean in the north to extremely arid in the deep south, influencing settlement patterns and economic activities.

History

The region has been inhabited since antiquity by Berbers and was later part of several empires, including the Numidian Kingdom, the Roman Empire, and the Vandals. Following the spread of Islam, it was ruled by dynasties such as the Rustamids, Zirids, and later the Ottoman Empire, with the Regency of Algiers becoming a significant power. French colonization began with the invasion of Algiers in 1830, leading to over a century of colonial rule. The Algerian War, a major conflict involving the National Liberation Front (FLN) and figures like Ahmed Ben Bella and Houari Boumédiène, resulted in independence after the Évian Accords. Post-independence history has been marked by the 1965 Algerian coup d'état, the Algerian Civil War in the 1990s, and the 2019 Hirak Movement.

Government and politics

Algeria is a republic with a political system defined by its constitution and the legacy of the FLN. Executive power is vested in the President, currently Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and the Prime Minister, Nadir Larbaoui. The bicameral legislature consists of the People's National Assembly and the Council of the Nation. The military, historically influential through institutions like the Department of Intelligence and Security, remains a key political actor. Major political parties include the FLN, the National Democratic Rally, and the Movement of Society for Peace. Foreign policy emphasizes Non-Aligned Movement principles and is active within the African Union and the Arab League.

Economy

The economy is heavily reliant on hydrocarbons, with Sonatrach being the state-owned giant in charge of the oil and gas sector. Major fields are located in Hassi Messaoud and the Illizi Basin, with export infrastructure centered on ports like Skikda and Arzew. This reliance makes the economy vulnerable to fluctuations in global crude oil prices. Other significant industries include phosphate mining near Tébessa and a growing liquefied natural gas sector. Efforts at economic diversification face challenges, though agriculture in the Tell region produces crops like wheat and olives. The currency is the Algerian dinar.

Demographics and culture

The population is predominantly Arab-Berber, with Tamazight recognized as an official language alongside Arabic. Renowned cultural figures include novelist Albert Camus, who was born in Mondovi, and filmmaker Merzak Allouache. Traditional music genres such as Rai, popularized by artists like Cheb Khaled, and Chaabi are integral to national identity. The ancient Casbah of Algiers and Roman ruins at Timgad and Djemila are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Islam is the state religion, with the Great Mosque of Algiers featuring the world's tallest minaret. Algerian cuisine is famous for dishes like couscous and tagine.

Category:Algeria Category:Countries in Africa Category:Arab world