Algeria

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Quick Facts

[edit]

Capital

Algiers

Population

31,700,000

Government

Republic

Religions

Islam (Sunni)

Languages

Standard Arabic, French, Berber Languages

Calling Code

+213

Nationality

Algerian

Local name

Al Jaza'ir

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Introduction

eastern view of tigounatine

© All Rights Reserved bluseter

Tourism is a minute force in the Algerian economy, which is overwhelmingly based on natural resources (read: fossil fuels) and agriculture, but with wise investment the country could start taking much better advantage of its other natural resources (read: natural beauty) to draw the crowds. For now though, pretty much all of Algeria is off the beaten track, so if a holiday away from the hordes is your idea of a good holiday, Algeria is a pretty safe bet.

Brief History

Algeria, located as it is on the southwestern shore of the Mediterranean, a short boat trip away from Europe, has always been a contested land. The Phoenicians were the first to establish settlements in the area. They were displaced by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. Berbers took over from the 10th century to the 16th century, when the Ottoman Empire extended itself into Algeria and the rest of North Africa.

France came to power during the 19th century through a bloody war in which 1.5 million Algerians were killed. Those Algerians who remained did not fare much better, as they quickly became second-class citizens to the French settlers flocking to Algeria. The offspring of European settlers in Algeria became full French citizens, while Muslim Algerians were granted no citizenship and no right to vote.

From 1954 to 1962, Algeria fought a guerrilla war for its independence. At the end of the war, the European population (known as the Pieds-Noir) fled, which left newly-independent Algeria with a heavy loss of teachers, doctors and other trained individuals. Algeria remained an unstable land throughout most of the 20th century, suffering political corruption, conflict with Morocco and a bloody civil war.

Democratic elections were resumed in 1995, and the Civil War eventually died down in 2002. Since then, Algeria has been reasonably stable and has turned its focus to economic development.

Geography

Considering that desert covers 80% of its landmass, Algeria's Arabic name, Al Jazair, may seem a little odd - Al Jazair means "the islands". The name comes from the four islands located in Algiers' harbour.

Algeria is the 2nd largest country in Africa (after Sudan). It is situated in north Africa, bordered on the east by Tunisia and by Morocco on the west. Most of the country's population lives in the northern fifth of the country, especially in the cities of Algiers, Oran and Constantine.

Regions

• Algiers Province is the area around the capital Algiers.
• Northeastern Algeria is the area to the east of Algiers.
• Northwestern Algeria is the mountainous coastal area to the west of Algiers.
• Saharan Atlas is an inland mountain range.
• Saharan Algeria is the large desert region in the south of the country.

Administratively, Algeria consists of 48 provinces, or wilayas.

Cities

• Algiers - the capital and largest city, situated on the Mediterranean coast.
• Oran
• Tamanrasset
• In Salah
• Constatine
• Annaba

Sights and Activities

Bounded on the north by the Mediterranean and buffered by the Sahara in the south, Algeria affords visitors an impressive array of attractions. It's not hard to find a great beach along 1200 km of coastline, or a village or city infused with the country's rich historical and cultural heritage. Head down to the Sahara to enjoy what some consider the most beautiful desert in the world, featuring a variety of landscapes, from dunes to oases and mountains. Or wander around cities like Algiers and soak in the country's gastronomic diversity and traditional clothing and jewelry.

Tassili n'Ajjer National Park

The Tassili n'Ajjer is a mountain range on the edge of the Sahara desert. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its astounding collection of ancient rock art: over 15,000 drawings and engravings have been found in the region. The park is also notable for its unique sandstone formations, which holds water well and has therefore fostered plant life. There are a number of endangered plant species in the park, such as the Saharan Myrtle and Saharan Cypress. Djanet is the nearest town to the park.

Ahaggar National Park

The Ahaggar National Park mainly contains the Ahaggar Mountain range in the southern portion of Algeria in the Sahara desert. The highest point is over 3000 meters high and the total area is a rather rocky desert landscape which is very spectacular with the sandy Sahara in the background. Because of its somewhat milder climate there is a wide range of animals living here and even some plants grow well here.

Kasbah of Algiers

The Kasbah of Algiers is one of the finest examples of medinas in the world with ancient alleys, mosques, palaces and traditional lifestyles. This medina is also one of the least visited and therefore is a truly magnificent experience to step back in time.

Events and Festivals

Weather

Algeria is a big country with some geographical conditions that have consequences for the local variations in climate.
The northern coastline has a Mediterranean climate wit warm, sunny and dry summers (May-September) and relatively mild winters when most of the rain falls (November-March). Temperatures in summer usually are around 30 °C, sometimes more. Winters are around 15 °C to 20 °C but can drop to just a few degrees above zero at night sometimes. Higher in the mountains (Atlas) south of this coastline, even more rain falls and in winter there is even some snow at elevation of 900 meters or higher. Summers here are also hot and sunny, but nighttime temperatures are of course somewhat lower compared to the coast. Immediately south of this, there is a small transition zone of steppe with generally hot and sunny weather, but with some more rain compared to the southern deserts.

The southern half of the country is real Sahara desert, with dry conditions throughout the year, although even here the occasional flooding can happen, especially (oddly enough) during the summer months. Temperatures in summer can reach over 50 °C during the day and average 40 °C to 45 °C from June to September, but low humidity makes it not impossible to travel around in summer. Just take precautions and travel during the early mornings and late afternoon/early evening. Nights in summer are still warm, and unlike what you sometimes here (temperatures below zero), cold nights only occur during the winter months of November to March. In the higher mountain chains in the south, like Hoggar, temperatures are somewhat lower and there is a bit more rain possible.

Getting There

By Plane

The country's primary international airport is Houari Boumedienne Airport (ALG) (website in French) near Algiers. There are also international airports in Oran, Constantine, Annaba, Adrar, Ghardaïa, Hassi Messaoud, Tamanrasset, Tébessa, Tlemcen and Zarzaïtine.

Air Algerie is the national airline. It is based in Algiers.

Other airlines that fly to Algeria include Air France, British Airways, Aigle Azure (site in French), Lufthansa, Iberia, Alitalia and Royal Air Maroc.

By Train

There are no international train connections to and from Algeria.

By Car

As Algeria is becoming safer again, the country is getting its share of overland travellers having their own car. Still, a lot of borders are closed, including all border posts with Morocco. Although borders with Libya, Mali and Mauritania are generally open, sometimes (some of them) are closes as well and due to safety it's not advised to use border crossings with Libya and Mauritania. Mali is a little safer.
Most people cross borders to and from Algeria from Tunisia and Niger. From the first there are numerous crossings but the one near Hazoua is the one that's used most, it's between El Oued and Tozeur.
The route between Algeria and Niger is popular because it's relatively fast and safe and a great way to get from Northern Africa to sub-Sahara Africa. Apart from a sandy track in the south of Algeria, most of the route south to Algeria and to Agadez and onwards in Niger is tarmac.

By Bus

You can use some public transport across the borders mentioned above, mainly with Tunisia (shared taxi's) and Niger (trucks and old 4wd vehicles). You might have to split your trip in stages as distances are vast and the trip to the border from Tamanrasset (Algeria) takes most of the day already.

By Boat

France:

• Algerie Ferries is one of the major operators, with scheduled services between Marseille and Algerian cities like Algiers, Oran, Bejaia, Skikda and Annaba.
• SNCM travels between Marseille and Algiers as well.
• Cnan Maghreb Lines (website under construction) has boats from Marseille to Oran and Algiers.

Spain:

• Algerie Ferries operates services between Oran and the Spanish city of Alicante.
• Trasmediterranea has regular ferries from Almeria to Oran and Alicante to Ghazaouet.
• Chan Maghreb Lines (website under construction) has boats between Barcelona and Oran and Algiers.

Getting Around

By Plane

Air Algerie has flights to many destinations within the country, including Algiers, Annaba, Constantine, Oran and the smaller towns in the southern Sahara desert like Tamanrasset.

By Train

Algerian railways are run by the Société Nationale des Transports Ferroviaires (SNTF). There are daily services in the north between Algiers and Oran, Béjaia, Skikda, Annaba and Constantine. The southern routes connect once a day from Annaba to Tebessa via Souk Ahras, from Constantine to Touggourt via Biskra (twice a day) and Mohammadia with Bechar.

By Car

Remember that driving your own car or a rental car is only possible with an Algerian guide that accompanies you. Therefore, renting a car with a driver is recommended when you are with several people to share costs. A 4wd is definately needed in the southern deserts. You need an international driving permit to drive by yourself, but still with a guide.

By Bus

SNTF is the national bus company which has connections to most major towns. It is only advisable to take the buses between the major cities in the north as distances to the south are huge and safety not always garanteed.

By Boat

There are ferry services between several port towns, like Algiers, Annaba, Oran and Ghazaouet.

Red Tape

Most nationalities require a visa, except nationals from Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Western Sahara, Seychelles, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia and Yemen.
It is best to apply for a visa at the nearest embassy or consulate as you need one before arrival in the country.

Money

See also Money matters

Dinar (DZD) = 100 centimes.
Notes come in denominations of DZD1,000, 500, 200, 100 and 50.
Coins come in denominations of DZD100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 centimes.

Work

Study

Language

Languages spoken in Algeria are Arabic, French and Berber. If you can speak French, you'll have no trouble but there are more and more English speakers.

Eat

Sleep

Drink

Health

See also Travel Health

Safety

See also Travel Safety

According to the Oxford Business Group, "security and stability have greatly improved" since 2005, when the country agreed to a Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation.^[1] As a result, the prospect of a safe and secure holiday in Algeria are now better than they have been for a very long time.

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

• The country calling code to Algeria is: 213
• To make an international call from the Algeria, the code is: 00

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