Algeria – country information

Country name	Algeria
Official name	People’s and Democratic Republic of Algeria
Capital	Algiers
continent	Africa
Area	2,381,740 km
Population	38 700 000 (2014)
Foundation of a state	5. 7. 1962
The highest mountains	Tahat 2918 m
Longest rivers	Chéliff 679 km
State system	pluralistic republic with a unicameral parliament (currently a transitional military government)
The biggest cities	Algiers (capital) 2,050,000, Oran 760,000, Constantine 525,000
Official language	Arabic
Ethnicity/National Composition	Arabs 83.2%, Berbers 16.5%, French 0.1%, others 0.2%
Religious affiliation	Muslim 99.9% (Sunni 99.5%), others 0.1%
Currency	1 Algerian dinar (DZD) = 100 centimes
gross domestic product (GDP)	US$7,268 (2012)
Average life expectancy of the population	73.26 let (2006)
Structure of GDP	agriculture and fishing 7%, mining 19%, industry 14%, construction 19%, services 41%

Algeria – neighboring states

State	Capital	Area	Populace
Libya	Tripoli	1,759,540 km	6 202 000
Mali	Bamako	1,240,190 km	15 302 000
Morocco	Rabat	446 550 km	33 202 300
Mauritania	Nouakchott	1,025,520 km	3 461 041
Niger	Niamey	1,267,000 km	17 129 076
Tunisia	Tunis	163,610 km	10 886 500
Western Sahara	Laayone	266,000 km	567 000

Country overview

According to Abbreviationfinder, Algeria is the second largest country in Africa, stretching from the coast of the Mediterranean Sea deep into the interior of the Sahara.

Country data

Location: North Africa

Time zone: CET – 1

Total area: 2,381,741 km²

Land area: 2,381,741 km²

Water area: 0 km²

Length of the state border: 6,734 km

Bordering countries:
Libya: 989 km
Mali: 1,359 km
Morocco: 1,900 km
Mauritania: 460 km
Niger: 951 km
Tunisia: 1,034 km
Western Sahara: 41 km

Coastline: 998 km

Capital: Algiers

Provinces: 48
Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, MSila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen

Telephone code: 00 213 (Source: Allcitycodes)

Highest point: Tahat 3,003 m

Population

Population: approx. 38.9 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)

Population growth: 1.9% per year

Population density (residents per km²): 13

Life expectancy: 75 (male), 78 (female)

Official language: Arabic

Religions:

• 99% Muslim
• 1% other

Climate

The country’s coast has a moderate Mediterranean climate with frequent rains in winter.

In the interior and south, a steppe and desert climate predominates with daytime temperatures around 35-40 ° C.

The average annual temperature in the capital is 24 ° C.

In the high mountains there are very strong temperature fluctuations. It is very hot in summer and extremely cold in winter.

Travel to the Sahara is not recommended between the end of May and the end of September, as it is very hot and there are frequent sandstorms.

Currency / finance

Currency unit: Algerian Dinar (DZD)

Classification: 1 Algerian dinar = 100 centimes

ATMs: Very few in the big cities.

International credit cards: Not accepted, except in very few hotels.

Regulations: Upon entry there is a compulsory exchange into the local currency. People up to the age of 19 500 DA, otherwise 1,000 DA.

A refund of this amount is not possible.

Certain individuals are exempt from exchanges:

• Employees of the Algerian government / ministries
• Employees of foreign companies who work on behalf of the state
• Ship crews who are on duty

Every exchange receipt must be kept in a safe place until you leave the country!

The national currency may be imported up to an amount of 50 DA (unlimited foreign currencies). The export border of the local currency is prohibited. Foreign currencies may only be exported in the amount of the declared import (minus the minimum exchange).

Customs regulations

The following may be carried duty-free:

• 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200 g tobacco
• 1 liter of alcoholic beverages
• small amounts of perfume

(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)

Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.

All valuable objects, even small electronic devices (razors, hair dryers) should be declared upon entry.

Gifts brought in are duty-free up to a value of 1,000 DA. Since the values ​​are usually estimated, you should take the corresponding invoices with you so that you do not have to pay excessive customs duties.

Since this is an Islamic country, you should take care when taking books and magazines with you that they do not violate Islamic morality.

The declaration of cash, travelers checks, pieces of jewelry and particularly valuable objects (video cameras, laptops) upon entry is mandatory.

Radios, binoculars and navigation devices may not be introduced!

Travel advice

Warnings are given against traveling to the Algerian border areas to Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali, Mauritania and Western Sahara.

Travel to the Ghardaia region is not recommended because of the violent clashes between local communities there.

The danger is greatest outside the cities and in the north of the country. Travel should only take place with an escort / police escort.

If you want to travel within the country, you should fly if possible, as cross-country journeys are not recommended.

After dark, you should avoid driving outside the city center. Time and again there are false roadblocks and terrorist attacks.

Consular assistance is only possible to a limited extent in emergencies.

The land borders with Morocco and Mali are closed.

Behavioral advice

When choosing your clothing, you should consider that you are in an Islamic country there. It is therefore not appropriate to wear certain clothing. This particularly includes wearing shorts, short skirts and revealing tops.

When traveling to the Sahara, you should always have an experienced guide with you.

Economy

The economy is advancing very slowly due to the prevailing high unemployment and high inflation.

Almost all of the large natural gas and oil reserves are exported for foreign exchange.

Agricultural production is mainly focused on the cultivation of cereals, dates, citrus fruits and olives. Tourism only plays a subordinate role.

Industries: Chemical industry, natural gas production, oil production, ore mining, food production, light industry

Natural resources: iron ores, natural gas, petroleum, phosphates, uranium, zinc

Land use:

• Usable land: 3%
• Grain cultivation: 0%
• Pasture area: 13%
• Forests: 2%
• other: 82%

Plants

Since most of the country is desert, there are very few plants.

The natural vegetation consists of pines, cedars and oaks. In higher areas there are extensive grasslands.

Agricultural cultivation is only possible in the vicinity of the coastal areas. This is limited to cereals, dates, citrus fruits and olives.

Due to the rare rainfall, pronounced vegetation is only limited to its time periods.

Animals

The most famous animals of Algeria are ostriches, which can be found in the vast steppes.

Endangered animal species such as leopards and cheetahs are also indigenous. Many other small animals also live in these areas, such as gazelles, foxes, lizards, gerbils, desert hares and various insects.

Algiers (Algeria)

Algeria is a state in northern Africa. Common borders with Morocco in the west, with Mauritania, Mali in the southwest, with Niger in the southeast, with Libya, Tunisia in the east. The capital is Algiers.

The official language is Arabic, but French is widely spoken. The state religion is Islam, but there are Christians and Catholics.

Almost the entire territory of the country (80%) is occupied by the Sahara desert. The climate is subtropical Mediterranean.

Resorts and attractions of Algiers

Algeria is an ideal country that can offer what your soul desires – sea, sun, sand. Algeria is the oldest state on our planet. The territory of this country is huge. This is one of the most amazing countries in the northwestern part of the African continent. A visit to this country can leave an incredible impression. The desert is white, blinding, hot – the quintessence of all deserts – lies for thousands of kilometers in all directions in all directions. It seems that time itself has stopped and does not flow, but only trembles like jelly, along with an air haze. The mad sun reflects off the parched sands. This is the Sahara – the largest desert in the world.

Algeria is the largest city and capital of Algeria. The word Algiers comes from the Arabic Al-Jazair and means Islands, since there were previously 4 islands here that later became part of the mainland. Although there are not many attractions in Algiers, there are quite enough of them for a city that does not belong to the tourist category. Most of the old buildings are in the Kasbah area. It is an area with narrow winding streets and a population of 100,000 people.