Algiers

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Introduction

Algiers's Harbour

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The white city, Algiers is an historically significant city on the Mediterranean coast of Algeria. The Phoenicians were the first to take advantage of the harbour in 1200 BC; the Roman, Vandal and Byzantine empires successively passed through; but it wasn't until the Berbers came along in the 10th century that the Algiers we know today was first established.

Now, Algiers is Algeria's main commercial hub, as well as its capital and largest city. Its harbour is important both as a centre for trade and a refuelling station.

Neighbourhoods

Algiers can be divided into two main sections: the old and the new. The latter is situated by the shore and is characterised by French architecture and urban layout.

The kasbah is the old part of the city, constructed while the city was under the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century. At its centre is the Casbah, a citadel built for the local ruler, or dey. The kasbah is sprawled along the steep hill behind the modern town.

Sights and Activities

The Casbah

The Casbah was built by the Ottomans during the 17th century and now stands as the most prominent building in the kasbah, or old town. It was built on the site of Icosium, the original Phoenician settlement in the area.

The kasbah as a whole has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.^[1]

Mosques and churches

There are a number of historic mosques and churches in Algiers:

• The Grand Mosque, which dates back to the 11th century.
• The New Mosque, only comparatively new, built in the 17th century.
• The Holy Trinity church, constructed in 1870.
• Ketchaoua Mosque, a cathedral-turned-mosque built in 1612.
• The Notre Dame d'Afrique, a cathedral combining Roman and Byzantine styles, finished in 1872.

Events and Festivals

Weather

Algiers is located along the northern coastline of Algeria and therefore 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 degrees Celsius, sometimes more. Winters are around 15 to 20 degrees Celsius but can drop to just a few degrees above zero at night sometimes. Absolute maximum and minimum temperatures are 42 degrees (August) and 0 degrees (December) Celsius.

Getting There

By Plane

Houari Boumedienne Airport (ALG) (website in French) is located near Algiers.
Air Algerie is the national airline, flying to destinations in Algeria like Oran, Constantine, Annaba, Adrar, Ghardaïa, Hassi Messaoud, Tamanrasset, Tébessa, Tlemcen and Zarzaïtine.
International airlines that fly to Algiers include Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, Iberia, Alitalia and Royal Air Maroc.

By Train

There are daily services in the north between Algiers and Oran, Béjaia, Skikda, Annaba and Constantineoperated by the Société Nationale des Transports Ferroviaires (SNTF, Algerian Railways).

By Car

By Bus

SNTF is the national bus company with bus connections from Algeriers to dozens of cities in the country.

By Boat

International
Algerie Ferries is one of the major operators, with scheduled services between Marseille and Algiers. SNCM travels between Marseille and Algiers as well. Finally, Cnan Maghreb Lines has boats between both Barcelona and Marseille, and Algiers.
Domestic
There are ferry services between several port towns, like Algiers, Annaba, Oran and Ghazaouet.

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

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