Country Reports

Country name

The People's Democratic Republic of Algeria

Government type

Republic

Administrative divisions

48 provinces; 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, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen

Capital

Algiers

Independence Day

5 July 1962 (from France)

National holiday

1 November (1954) Revolution Day

Area

2.4 million sq km (919,595 sq miles)

Location

Northern Africa. Bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

Land Borders

Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Tunisia, Western Sahara. Second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan).

Coastline

998 km

Population

35.4 million (UN, 2010)

Nationality

Algerian(s)

Languages

Arabic, French, Berber

Ethnic groups

Almost all Algerians are Berber in origin (not Arab)

Major religion

Islam

Highest peak

Tahat 3,003 m

Climate

Climate is arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters. Along the coast; hot, dry summers. On the high plateu; drier with cold winters and hot summers

Time zone

UTC/GMT+1

Currency

1 Algerian dinar (DZD) = 100 centimes

Telephone

+213

Internet domain

.dz

GNI per capita

US $8,310 (World Bank, 2011)

Natural resources

Oil, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc

Agriculture products

Sheep, cattle, wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits

Industries

Food processing, petroleum, natural gas, petrochemicals, light industries, electrical, mining