Profile
Background and figures as recorded in the CIA World Factbook.
Algeria has known many empires and dynasties, including the ancient Numidians (3rd century B.C.), Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, over a dozen different Arab and Amazigh dynasties, Spaniards, and Ottoman Turks. Under the Turks, the Barbary pirates operated from North Africa and preyed on shipping, from about 1500 until the French captured Algiers in 1830. The French southward conquest of Algeria proceeded throughout the 19th century and was marked by many atrocities. A bloody eight-year struggle culminated in Algerian independence in 1962.
- Capital
- Algiers
- Government
- presidential republic
- Population
- 47,735,685
- Area
- 2,381,740 sq km
- Location
- Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
- Climate
- arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau;
- Natural resources
- petroleum; natural gas; iron ore; phosphates; uranium; lead…
- Languages
- Arabic (official); French (lingua franca); Tamazight (official) (dialects include Kabyle (Taqbaylit); Shawiya (Tacawit)…
- Religions
- Muslim (official; predominantly Sunni) 99%; other (includes Christian; Jewish…
- Independence
- 5 July 1962 (from France)
- Administrative divisions
- 58 provinces (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger (Algiers), Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bej…
- Currency
- Algerian dinars (DZD)
- Export partners
- Italy 29%; France 14%; Spain 13%; USA 6%…
- Import partners
- China 24%; France 12%; Italy 8%; Turkey 7%…
Source: CIA World Factbook — a work of the US government, in the public domain