Algeria is a country located in North Africa. It belongs to the states of the Mediterranean basin, and also has access to the sea in the north. The official name is the Algerian People's Democratic Republic. It borders on the following states: Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Libya and Tunisia. The capital of the country is the city of the same name Algiers.
History of Algeria
The history of the state began in the 10th century BC, when the Phoenician tribes first settled on these lands. For a long time the territory belonged to the Roman, then the Byzantine Empire. In the 16th century, Algiers became a province of the Ottoman unification. And in the 19th century it became part of France as its colony. And only in 1962 Algeria (Africa) becomes an independent state.
The name comes from the word "El Jezair" - "Islands". More than 80% of the entire territory of the state falls on the largest desert on the planet - the Sahara. The Ahaggar highlands are located in the southeast, here is also the highest point of the country - the city of Tahat (2,906 m). In the north, it is surrounded by one of the few mountain systems in Africa - the Atlas Mountains.
Climate
Description of Algeria should start with weather conditions. The country is located in two climatic zones: subtropical Mediterranean type and tropical desert. The latter is unfavorable for the population to live here. Therefore, the vast majority of the country's inhabitants (about 93%) settled on the northern coast. Winter is mild, rainy, without frosty temperatures. Average t° January +12°С. Summer is hot and dry. In desert areas, the air temperature depends on the time of day. The difference between day and night can reach more than 20°C. Even snow falls on the tops of the mountains.
Algeria is a country with a dry climate. The annual amount of precipitation does not exceed 100-150 mm. There are no rivers with constant flow. Only during the rainy season dry channels can be filled with water. The only major river in Algeria is the Sheliff, 700 km long. It flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The river is used for irrigation of agricultural land, hydroelectric power stations are built on it. In the Sahara you can find single oases. They occur in places where groundwater rises close to the surface.
Plant world
The flora of the country also varies due to the features of the relief and climate. In the north of the country, the Mediterranean type of vegetation dominates. This is what makes Algeria different. The population of the state is proud to grow in the territory of their homeland. Here everywhere you can find low trees and dense shrubs: olive tree, pistachio, juniper, cork tree, sandarak, holm oak. Deciduous trees also grow. Flora of the Saharavery poor. Represented by only two species: ephemera and s altwort.
Animal world
Fauna is also scarce. In addition to the natural decrease in the number of individuals, there is also the problem of the extermination of some animal species. In mountainous forest areas, you can meet hares, wild boars. The fauna of the Sahara is typical for the desert area: hyenas, jackals, gazelles, antelopes, cheetahs, foxes.
Mineral resources
Algeria, whose population receives wages from foreign sales, has the largest deposits of oil and gas. They make up the vast majority of the country's economy. This state occupies a leading position in the export of these minerals.
Population
According to the latest census, there are more than 40 million people in Algeria. More than half of the population are city dwellers. In ethnic terms, the vast majority of the inhabitants are Arabs (83%). Mostly they live in the territory of a country such as Algeria. The population of this state is also represented by Berbers - almost 17%. Less than 1% are representatives of other nationalities. The official language of the state is Arabic. But French is also common. Algeria is a Muslim country. 99% of the population profess Islam here.
State characteristics
According to the state structure, Algeria is a republic. The president is at the head of the country. The legislative body is the Parliament, which consists of two chambers - the Senate and the People's Assembly. All statebodies are elected by ballot for 5-year terms.
According to the administrative division, this country is divided into regions (vilayets). Algiers is divided into 48 vilayets. They, in turn, are subdivided into districts, and the latter into communes. In addition to the capital of Algiers, where the population is about 3 million people (according to 2011 data), major cities are: Oran, Skikda, Annaba, Constantine.
Cultural heritage and tourism
The country has many interesting sights that have been preserved since the time of the rule of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires here. Local residents honor their culture and carefully protect historical monuments. Algiers, whose population is quite hospitable, is an ideal place for tourists, so a holiday in this territory will be unforgettable. There are many hotels and inns here, they indulge in their pricing policy. However, you should pay attention to the temperature regime of the state, because you can easily "work up" a cold caused by the peculiarities of the local climate.
