Algeria

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Algeria

Algeria, officially the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, is a large country located in North Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

Area: Approximately 2,381,741 sq km, making it the largest country in Africa. About 80% of the country is desert, steppes, wasteland, and mountains.

Population: Estimated at around 46.8 million in 2024. The majority of the population (91%) lives along the Mediterranean coast on 12% of the country’s total land mass.

Capital: Algiers

Major Cities: Besides Algiers, other major cities include Oran, Sétif, Djelfa, Batna, and Constantine.

Language: The official languages are Arabic and Amazigh (Berber). Algerian Arabic is the most widely spoken dialect. French is also widely used, especially in business and education.

Currency: Algerian Dinar (DZD)

Religion: Predominantly Sunni Islam of the Maliki school of jurisprudence, with nearly 98% of the population identifying as Muslim.

Attractions & Wonders:
Algeria boasts a rich history and diverse landscapes, offering numerous attractions:

  • Roman Ruins:
    • Djémila: A well-preserved Roman town showcasing unique ancient Roman architectural styles adapted to a mountain landscape. It features ancient houses, a theatre, temples, and a forum with a fabulous arch.
    • Tipasa: Roman ruins by the sea, a former Punic trading post that became a strategic Roman base. It exhibits a blend of Phoenician, Roman, Paleochristian, and Byzantine ruins.
    • Timgad: A consummate example of Roman town planning, founded by Emperor Trajan in AD 100 with a precise orthogonal layout. Its ruins include the Trajan Arch and a well-preserved street grid.
  • Historic Sites:
    • Kasbah of Algiers: A UNESCO World Heritage site, this historic citadel and traditional quarter preserves ancient mosques, Ottoman-style palaces, and a traditional urban structure.
    • Maqam Echahid (Martyr’s Memorial): A prominent monument in Algiers dedicated to the memory of the Algerian War of Independence.
  • Natural Wonders & Landscapes:
    • Tassili n’Ajjer: A vast sandstone plateau known for its incredible rock formations and over 15,000 rock paintings and carvings, making it one of the richest prehistoric rock art sites in the world. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    • M’Zab Valley: Another UNESCO site, featuring five ancient fortified villages (ksour) adapted to the harsh desert environment, built by the Ibadites.
  • Other notable sites:
    • Al Qal’a of Beni Hammad (UNESCO World Heritage site)
    • Communal Museum of Laghouat

Architecture:
Algerian architecture reflects its long and varied history, incorporating influences from Numidian, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Ottoman, and French colonial periods.

  • Ancient Architecture:
    • Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania (late 1st century BC or early 1st century AD)
    • Madghacen mausoleum of king Madghis (3rd century BC)
    • Roman bridges, arches, and city layouts (like Timgad)
  • Islamic Architecture:
    • Great Mosque of Tlemcen (1082)
    • Great Mosque of Algiers (1096–1097)
    • Great Mosque of Nedroma (1145)
  • Colonial and Post-Colonial:
    • The Theatre Municipal (Baroque Revival)
    • Notre Dame d’Afrique (Byzantine Revival)
    • Grande Poste d’Alger (Arabisance style)
    • Martyrs’ Memorial, Algiers (Post-colonial modern design)
    • Djamaa el Djazaïr (contemporary mosque, one of the largest in the world)

Roads:
Algeria has an extensive road network, including over 96,000 km of paved roads and 29,000 km of unpaved roads.

  • Major Highways:
    • East-West Highway: The most important road infrastructure, a 1,216 km six-lane expressway connecting the Tunisian border to the Moroccan border, linking major cities like Constantine, Sétif, Algiers, and Oran.
    • Highway of the Hauts Plateaux: A planned highway running parallel to the East-West Highway through the steppe region.
  • Scenic and Challenging Roads:
    • Trans-Sahara Highway: A 4,500 km route through Algeria, Niger, and Nigeria, offering a true adventure.
    • Mountain passes like Tikjda Pass, Mount Chelia, Col de Tirourda, and Assekrem.

Hotels:
Algeria offers a range of accommodation options, from luxury resorts to more budget-friendly hotels, particularly in major cities like Algiers and Oran. Some notable hotels include:

  • Sheraton Club des Pins Resort (Staoueli)
  • Hotel El Aurassi (Algiers)
  • Hyatt Regency Algiers Airport
  • Hotel El-Djazair (Algiers)
  • Hôtel RALF (Algiers)

Restaurants & Cuisine:
Algerian cuisine is a vibrant blend of Mediterranean and North African influences, with a focus on fresh vegetables, cereals, and meats (especially lamb, beef, and poultry). Bread and olive oil are staples.

  • Key Ingredients & Spices: Dried red chili, caraway, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, paprika, saffron, and coriander are commonly used.
  • Popular Dishes:
    • Couscous: The national dish, often served with vegetables and meat.
    • Chorba frik (or Jari): A tomato-based soup with lamb.
    • Bourek: Fried spring rolls with various stuffings (meat, tuna, potato, cheese).
    • Mhadjeb: Flatbread stuffed with onions and tomato sauce.
    • Shakshouka: A mixture of onions, tomato, bell peppers, zucchini, and eggs.
    • Dobara: Chickpea soup.
    • Tajine mtewem: Meatballs cooked in a tagine.
  • Desserts: Kalb-el-louz (semolina cake with almonds and honey) and Makroud el louse (almond cookies) are popular.
  • Recommended Restaurants (examples):
    • Yulmaz (Algiers)
    • Dar Yemma Casbah (Algiers)
    • Restaurant Ighrassen (Constantine)
    • La Palmeraie Restaurant (Algiers)