Country Algeria: description, history, language, population

Many know about Algeria only that this state is in Africa. Indeed, this country is visited not so many tourists, but it is possible to tell about it much and dispel some speculation. Sometimes they even wonder what country Algeria belongs to. But this is an independent state with its own history and culture. What is interesting about Algeria? What country on the African continent is called the Algerian People's Democratic Republic?

Government structure

In Arabic, the country of Algeria sounds like "el-jazir", which means "islands". The state received this name thanks to the accumulation of islands near the coastline. The capital of the country Algeria is a city with the same name. This state in Africa is a unitary republic headed by the president. He is elected for a period of 5 years, the number of terms is unlimited. Legislative power belongs to the bicameral Parliament. Algeria is divided into 48 provinces, 553 counties (diar), 1541 communes (baladia). On November 1, Algerians celebrate the national holiday - the Day of Revolution.

Geography and nature

The country of Algeria occupies a large area. This is the second largest country in Africa after the Sudan . Its area is 2.3 million km2. Neighboring Algeria with Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia and Libya. In the north stretches the Mediterranean Sea. About 80% of the total state is occupied by the Sahara. On its square there are both sandy deserts and stone ones.

In the south-east of the country is its highest point - Mount Tahat, at a height of 2906 m. On the huge Sahara square there is a large salt lake, it is called Chott-Melgir and is located in the north of the Algerian part of the desert. The rivers also exist in the state of Algeria, but almost all temporary, exist only in the rainy season.

The largest river (700 km long) is the Sheliff River. The rivers of the northern part of the country flow into the Mediterranean, while the rest disappear in the sands of the Sahara.

The vegetation of northern Algeria is typically Mediterranean, dominated by cork oak, in the semi-desert - grass alpha. In the arid zones, very small areas have vegetation.

Population and language

More than 38 million people live in Algeria. The main part, 83% of all residents, are Arabs. 16% are Berbers, descendants of the ancient population of Algeria, which consist of several tribes. Another 1% is occupied by representatives of other nationalities, mostly French. The state religion in Algeria is Islam, the main population is mainly Sunnis.

The state language in the country is one - Arabic, although French is no less popular. About 75% of the population freely own it. There are also Berber dialects. Despite the considerable area of the country, the main population of the country Algeria, more than 95%, is concentrated in the north, on a narrow coastal strip and massif of Kabilia. In cities, more than half of the population lives - 56%. Literacy among men reaches 79%, while among women - only 60%. Algerian Arabs live in large communities in France, Belgium and the United States.

History

In the territory of modern Algeria in the 12th century BC. E. The Phoenician tribes appeared. In the 3rd century the state of Numidia was formed. The ruler of this country got involved in the war against Rome, but was defeated. Its territory became part of the Roman possessions. In the 7th century, the Arabs invaded and lived for a long time. In the early 16th century, Algeria passed under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. But it was hard to manage because of the geographical location. As a result, France seized this African country, and since 1834 the country Algeria has become a French colony. The state began to look like a European one. Entire cities were built by the French, great attention was also paid to agriculture. But the native population could not reconcile themselves with the colonialists. The national liberation war lasted several years. And in 1962 Algeria became independent. Most of the French then left Africa. For about 20 years, the government tried to build socialism, but as a result of the coups, Islamic fundamentalists turned up in power. Armed confrontation continues to this day. The situation in the country is extremely unstable.

Economy

• The monetary unit of the state is the Algerian dinar.
• The basis of the economy is oil and gas production - about 95% of all exports. Algeria also produces copper, iron, zinc, mercury and phosphates.

• Agriculture takes a smaller amount in the structure of the economy, but it is quite diverse. They grow grains, grapes, citrus fruits. Wine is produced for export. Algeria is the largest exporter of pistachios. In the semi-desert, the alfa grass is collected and processed, from which further paper of excellent quality is obtained.
• In animal husbandry, people specialize in the cultivation of cattle, as well as goats and sheep.
• In the coastal part, they are engaged in fishing.

Culture

The capital of the country Algeria - the oldest and most beautiful city, located in a bay with the same name. All buildings are made of light building material, which gives a special festive look to the city. Here you can see both strange narrow streets with low houses, and the most beautiful mosques in the oriental style. Among them are buildings of the 17th century - the tomb of Sidd Abdarrahman and the Jami al-Jadid Mosque. In the modern part of the city, new buildings predominate - offices, high administrative buildings.

Transport

• Algeria is one of the leaders in the development of transport in Africa.
• There are many highways, about 105 thousand km. They are indispensable for communication between cities.
• The country's railways reached 5,000 km.
• With the help of water transport, 70% of all international traffic occurs. This gives us the right to call Algeria the main water power in Africa.
• Developed and air communication. Country of peace Algeria has 136 airfields, of which 51 - with concrete cover. The largest and most important airfield, Dar El Beyda, operates both domestic flights and flights to Europe, Asia, Africa, North America. A total of 39 international destinations.

Kitchen

Algerian cuisine is part of a large complex of migraine culinary traditions. Many similar dishes can be found in neighboring Tunisia. Widespread popularity of dishes from Mediterranean products. For cooking, fresh fruits and vegetables, olives are often used. A traditional Berber dish is a steak from camel meat. Alcohol in Muslim Algeria is prohibited. It is customary to drink sweet green tea with nuts, mint or almonds. Lovers of refreshing drinks prefer strong Arabic coffee.

Shopping

Shopping in Algeria has its own characteristics, or rather - the time of the shops. For Europeans, it is not quite familiar. The fact is that the inhabitants of Algeria, as a Muslim state, do a two-hour break for a siesta during work. This applies to stores that work in two stages: the morning one - from 8.00 to 12.00, and the afternoon - from 2 pm to 6 pm. This does not apply to souvenir shops. They work "until the last visitor." Products in supermarkets can be bought from early morning until late at night. Tourists can bring from this African country various souvenirs: products of wood, leather and uniforms, copper coins, Berber carpets, silver jewelry or mats with Berber motifs.

Safety of tourists

Algeria is a developing country, special attention is not paid to tourism, and some cities are even considered potentially dangerous for tourists. Attend them strongly do not recommend. Although there is no official ban. There were cases of abduction of tourists. However, the north of the country is considered absolutely safe. In the Sahara it is worth to go only by an organized group, with a local guide. Excursions and tours should be ordered only from official tour operators.

The most interesting

1. Personal jewelry - products made of gold, silver and platinum - must be declared at the customs at the entrance to the country.
2. Without duty in Algeria, you can import no more than 1 block of cigarettes or 50 cigars, 2 liters of low-alcoholic beverages (less than 22º), and 1 liter of strong alcoholic beverages (more than 22º).
3. If in the passport there is a mark on the crossing of the border of Israel, then entry into Algeria is prohibited.
4. Sometimes ATMs are asked to enter a 6-digit PIN code. In this case, you must enter the first two zeros.
5. It is not recommended to photograph the local population. This is considered indecent.
6. Use only bottled water.
7. The coast is comfortable for visiting throughout the year, although the country of Algeria is not exactly a beach resort, there are no good hotels.
8. On the territory of the state there is a huge number of Phoenician, Roman and Byzantine ruins.
9. On the cliff, 124 meters high above sea level, is the Cathedral of Our Lady of Africa.

Above the entrance there is an inscription in French - "The African Virgin, pray for us and for the Muslims." This is the only place in the world where the Catholic religion mentions the Muslim religion.