Algeria is located in northern Africa and is one of the two largest countries on this continent. The main part of the population lives in the north of the country near the coast. The south, on the other hand, which is mainly shaped by the Sahara, is only sparsely populated. See Andyeducation for education in Algeria.
| Capital City | Algiers |
| Size | 2.381.741 km² |
| Resident | 38.700.000 |
| Official Language | Arabic |
| Currency | Algerischer Dinar |
| Time Zone | UTC+1 |
| Telephone Area Code | +213 |
Fast facts to know
- 80% of the country almost without vegetation
- In addition to Arabic, French plays an important role as an educational, commercial and lingua franca
- 99% of the population profess Islam
- health care inadequate
- Freedom House classifies Algeria as a “non-free” country
- Visa required
- Almost only cash accepted
- Third-most expensive African country
- Hygienic standard generally good
- Respect:
- Older people and women always have a special status
- Often the man is addressed on behalf of the woman (not a sign of discrimination but respect!)
- Do not eat or drink in public during Ramadan
- Owns five UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Exciting cities in Algeria
- Algiers
- Annaba
- Constantine
- Oran
- Tamanrasset
History of Algeria
- Algerians are mostly descended from the Berbers
- Islamization in the 7th and 8th centuries
- Under Turkish rule in the 16th century
- 19. French Colonial Rule
- 20th Century: People’s Socialist Republic
- The civil war follows the economic decline
Climate & travel weather in Algeria
- North: Mediterranean climate
- South: extremely dry desert climate
- Best travel time:
- South: Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr.
- North: May – Sep.
Ideas for trips in Algeria
- Desert tour to the Sahara
- mountain hike in the north
- Basilika Our Lady of Africa (Algier)
- The Hamma Test Garden (Algier)
- Tipasa Archaeological Park (Tipasa)
- Fort Santa Cruz (Oran)
- Pont Sidi M’Cid (Constantine)
- Emir Abdelkader Mosque (Constantine)
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
- Bergfestung Beni Hammad
- Felsmalereien des Tassili n’Ajjer
- Kasbah (old town) of Algiers
- Roman ruins of Djemila
- Roman ruins of Timgad
- Ruined city of Tipasa
- Valley of M’zab
Eating & drinking in Algeria
- Shaped by the influences of various peoples: Berbers, Arabs, Jews, Ottomans, Spaniards and French
- Diverse scents and aromas
- Cooking as an art, taking time to live
- Traditional dishes:
- Dolma (stuffed vegetables)
- Boureks (rolls of dough with meat and other fillings)
- Couscous (steamed durum wheat semolina)
- Chorbas (soups)
- Meschoui (lamb roasted on a spit)
- Shakshuba (pepper, tomato and onion stew with eggs)
- Merguez (spicy lamb sausages)
- Dates or baklava for dessert
- Diverse fish dishes in the coastal region
- Hot peppermint tea as a thirst quencher and refreshment
Particularly scenic
- vastness of the Sahara
- Atlas Mountains, a mountain range with green cedar forests
- Fine sandy beaches in the coastal area
