ALGERIA

Algeria officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria is a country in north Africa, and the second largest country on the African continent, Sudan being the largest. Constitutionally, it is defined as an Islamic, Arab, and Amazigh (Berber) country. The name Algeria is derived from the name of the city of Algiers, and officially from the Arabic word al-jaza’ir, which translates as the islands, referring to the four islands which lie off that city's coast until becoming part of the mainland in 1525. But the most realistic version is that Algiers derives from "Ziriya Bani Mazghana" in reference to its founder, the Amazigh king Ziri, the founder of the medieval city of Algiers. Unfortunately, in order to hide the Amazigh origin of Algeria’s name that goes against the Arabo-nationalistic policy of the Algerian governments, this Amazigh origin is put aside.

Location

Located in north-west Africa, Algeria has border in the north with the Mediterranean Sea. Tunisia and Libya are located to its east, Morocco and Western Sahara to its west, and Mauritania, Mali and Niger to its south.

Capital

Algiers

Population

32,930,091

Climate

Arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer.

Language

Arabic (official), French Berber dialects

Monetary Unit

Dinar

Largest Cities

Algiers, Oran, Constantine, Annaba, Batna, Setif.

Principal rivers

Cheliff

Places to Visit

Algiers, Constantine, Oran Setif, Batna

Air Ports

Algiers (Dar-El-Beida Airport) 21 km from Algiers Oran