Dwelling on Africa: Country Report “Algeria”

Algeria is one of 55 countries of African continent. Algeria is located in Northern Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea in north, Tunisia in northeast, Libya in east, Morocco in west, Western Sahara, Mauritania, and Mali in southwest, and by Niger in the southeast.

Algeria is now Africa’s largest country, covering an area of nearly 2.4 million km², compared, it is 4 times the size of France or slightly less than 3.5 times the size of the U.S. state of Texas. But the country is almost only populated in the small coastal region, because its southern part is covered by the Sahara, the largest subtropical hot desert.

Algeria has a population of 40.4 million people (in 2016). About 90% of Algerians live in the northern, coastal area. Official language is Arabic, French is the language of the elite, Tamazight, the language of the indigenous Berber has been constitutionally recognized as a national language. Capital and most populous city is Algiers.

Background at Algeria

Algeria’s indigenous Berber people has been under foreign rule for much of the last 3000 years. The Phoenicians (1000 BC) and the Romans (200 BC) were the most important of these. With the incursion of Muslim Arabs in the 7th-8th century into the region, Islamic influence came to the Berbers and almost a millenium of domination by Arab dynasties.

In the beginning of the 16th century the region was placed under protection of the Ottoman Sultan of Istanbul, followed by reigns of Ottoman beys, pachas, and aghas, brought to an end with the beginning of the French colonization in 1830.

The French occupation condemned Algeria’s population to economic, social and political
inferiority and caused an armed resistance lasting for decades. After a century of rule by France, Algeria became independent in 1962 and Arabic became official language – with a little help of Quran teachers from Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Since then le pouvoir (“the power”), an elite of business leaders and generals behind a
democratic façade has run Algeria.

Algeria is a member state of the League of Arab States.

Business & Economy in Algeria

Angola’s high growth rate in recent years was driven by high international prices for its oil.
Angola became a member of OPEC in late 2006. Oil production and its supporting activities
contribute about 85% of GDP and diamond exports contribute an additional 5%.
Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for most of the people, but half of the
country’s food is still imported. Despite a postwar reconstruction boom, much of the country’s infrastructure is still damaged or undeveloped from the 27-year-long civil war.

Climate of Algeria

Mediterranean in the north, mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; dry or desert climate for the extreme south of the country; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer.

People of Angola

Nationality: Algerian(s).
Population: 40.4 million (2016)
Ethnic Groups: ~ Arab 83%, Berber 17%, Touareg, European less than 1%.
Languages: Arabic (official), French, Tamazight and other Berber dialects.
Religions: Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%.
Literacy: Total population, 70%; male 78.8%, female 61% (2003 est.)

Natural Resources of Algeria

Rich deposits of iron ore, phosphates, lead, zinc and antimony; deposits of petroleum and natural gas.

Agricultural Products of Algeria

Wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle.

Industries in Algeria

Petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing.

Exports – Commodities in Algeria

Petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%

Exports Partners of Algeria

Spain 18.8%, France 11.2%, USA 8.8%, Italy 8.7%, UK 7.1%, Brazil 5.2%, Tunisia 4.9%, Germany 4.5% (2015)

Imports – Partners of Algeria

China 15.6%, France 14.4%, Italy 9.4%, Spain 7.4%, Germany 5.6%, Russia 4.1% (2015)

Currency of Algeria

Algerian Dinar (DZD)