Algeria is a city or a country? The largest cities in the north of Algeria

Algeria is a city or a country? Not everyone knows the answer to this question. Our article will answer it exhaustively. In addition, here you will find interesting information about the largest cities in the largest area of the African state.

Algeria is still a city or a country?

This question can puzzle many. However, the answer to it is extraordinarily simple: Algeria is a city and a state at the same time. That is, the capital of the state of Algeria is a city with the same name.

The Republic is located in the north of Africa and has an extensive access to the Mediterranean. By its area (2.38 million square kilometers) - this is the largest state on the "black continent". Algeria gained independence only in 1962, and before that it was a colony of France. Today, about 26 million people live here, most of whom speak Arabic. Although the French language can still be heard here.

The capital of this state is Algeria. The city of the same name is located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. About it, as well as other major cities of Northern Algeria will be discussed further.

The largest cities in the north of Algeria

In the state of Algeria, there are many cities. There are about two hundred of them. In the smallest Algerian city, 37 thousand people live.

It is important to note that most of the large settlements are concentrated in the northern part, since the southern expanses occupy the lifeless and hot Sahara desert.

Below is a list of the largest cities in the north of Algeria, in order of decreasing their population:

1. Algeria.
2. Oran.
3. Constantine.
4. Batna.
5. Setif.
6. Annaba.
7. Sidi Bel Abbes.
8. Biskra.
9. Bedja.
10. Msila.
11. Blida.
12. Skikda.
13. El Oued.
14. Tlemcen.
15. Relizan.

We will describe some of them in more detail.

Algeria: photos of the city and a description of its attractions

The capital of the eponymous state was founded in the distant year 944. Modern Algeria is a city where almost three million people live. In form it resembles a triangle, in the center of which is a picturesque hill with an ancient citadel. This is one of the few cities in Africa where you can take a tram ride or ride a very subway!

Algeria is not only a large metropolitan city, but also an invaluable treasury of historical and architectural monuments of antiquity. Being here, you can not visit the old district of the city - Kasbu. It is famous for narrow, intricate streets and unusual for the European tourist architecture of buildings. It is rumored that during the occupation, French soldiers were afraid to go to the limits of the Kasbah, since one could easily get lost there. Today, this unique area of Algeria is under the protection of UNESCO.

There are many in the city and other interesting sights. This is a museum of modern art, and the most beautiful boulevard. Chegewars, and a huge number of ancient mosques. Christians will be very interested in visiting the local Cathedral of the African Mother of God, erected in 1872.

Travelers in Algeria are very fond of taking a stroll along the street of Didosh Murad. This urban artery is densely built up with beautiful buildings of the colonial era, on the first floors of which there are many shops, souvenir shops and cafes.

The city of Oran is the second most populous in Algeria

Residents in Oran are almost four times less than in Algeria. However, this does not prevent him from being the second in the list of the largest cities in the country. "Two lions" - so you can translate from the ancient Berber language the name of this city. According to legend, in place of modern Oran in ancient times, these animals lived. Today, lions can be seen only on the coat of arms of the city.

Modern Oran is a significant cultural, financial and educational center of Algeria. This city was described by Albert Camus in his melancholy novel "Plague."

There are not many sights in Oran, although here the tourist will also find something to see. Interesting is the ancient area of El Hamri, the Pasha Mosque, the Santa Cruz Fortress, built on a high coastal rock in the early 17th century.

Annaba is a city with a solid history

Annaba is a city in the north of Algeria, which was founded in the seventh century AD. And before that, in its place, there was already an ancient Hippon - the southern outpost of the Roman Empire.

Annaba in the 21st century is a large port, an important industrial and transport center of Algeria. Numerous enterprises of the metallurgical, chemical and engineering industries were built here in the second half of the 20th century, not without the active assistance of the Soviet Union.

Tourists in Annabus rarely visit. Among the sights can be called a small square in the old town with a fortress, as well as the ancient mosque Sidi-bu-Merian. The latter was built in 1033 with the use of building elements (columns) of the ancient Hippo.

Tlemcen is the pearl of Northern Algeria

One of the most interesting cities on the Algerian coast can be called the ancient city of Tlemcen. Algeria can rightfully be proud of this historical and architectural pearl.

This city is relatively small (only 130 thousand of the population), but it retains 45 architectural monuments. That's why Tlemcen is often called an open-air museum in Algeria!

The Tlemcen cathedral mosque, the palace of Meshuar, the medina of El-Eubbad, the grave of Rabb-Aln-Kaua and other objects of the ancient city are of genuine interest to tourists. In its center there is a beautiful viewing platform with a wonderful view of Tlemcen, its tall and sharp minarets, white buildings and cozy courtyards. And this city is famous for its excellent quality carpets.

Finally...

So, Algeria is a city or a country? Now you know the answer to this question. In a state called Algeria, there are two hundred cities, the largest of which are in the northern part of the country. It is the capital of Algeria, as well as the cities of Oran, Constantine, Batna, Setif, Annaba and others.