Algeria … Algeria, (officially People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria), is located in northwestern part of the African continent. Overall, 30 percent of Algerians speak Berber. The country is bordered to the west by the Kingdom of Morocco and to the southwest by Western Sahara. The country’s coastal area is mostly hilly and even mountainous with a few natural harbors. Algeria’s borders are surrounded by Tunisia in the northeast, Libya to the east, Niger to the southeast, Morocco to the west, Western Sahara, Mauritania, and Mali to the southwest and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. (Arabic: الجزائر, al-Jazā’ir, Berber: Dzayer) is known officially as the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. This greatly benefitted the county’s leadership during the 1973 oil crisis. Algeria’s official language is Arabic as specified in the 1963 constitution. A steppe landscape exists south of the Tell Atlas ending in the Sahara. Inhabitants of the Balearic Islands erected fortified churches and coastal watchtowers in response to the attacks. Boumédienne relied on the army much more heavily and thereby reduced the sole legal political party to a symbolic role. The Kasbah (Arabic: القصبة); is a type of medina, a medieval north African city, or fortress (citadel). These included the Fatimids, Aghlabids, Almoravids, Almohads, Adbalwadid, Zirids, Hammadids, and Rustamids. We look forward to hearing from you. Berbers are subdivided primarily into groups like the Kabyle in the north-central section and in the eastern Atlas Mountains, the Chaoui. In April 1999, the army chose Abdelaziz Bouteflika as president.Algeria, Post-War. By 2002, an amnesty program and government military success led the main guerilla groups to dissolve or decline. If Algeria becomes a truly Islamic republic, then God’s word, as told through the Quran and Hadith are bond. Civilian massacres occurred, but responsibility for them is still not settled, with some blaming Islamists and others the government. The government did complete a treaty with the EU in 2001 that will increase trade. First-year middle school students are taught English. Easterly and north-easterly prevailing winds shift to westerly and northerly in winter. In 1830, claiming an insult on their consul, the French invaded and captured Algiers. They operated from the time of the Crusades until the early 1800s. They are just west of Tamanghasset and 1,500 km south of Algiers. Pirates captured sailors as well as southern European coastal inhabitants and forced them into slavery. In return, the Algerian President agreed to purchase $7.5 billion in military arms. Thanks for reading and for your interest in Africa. At the time of the U.S. Civil War, Algeria grew a large amount of cotton, but production later declined. So severe was the thereat that Formentera island was uninhabited. Holy Roman Emperor Charles V attacked Algiers in 1541, but failed. Algerian law forbids any census on an ethnic basis, so no official figures exist. The Algerian Air Force signed as 2007 deal with Russia for 49 MiG-29SMT and 6 MiG-29UBT aircraft for $1.9 billion. Almost all left after the country’s independence. The Carthaginians established coastal settlements sometime after 1000 BCE. Turgut Reis also sacked Bastia, Corsica the next year and took 6,000 prisoners. mi.) There is a government immunization program. Algeria has a bicameral parliament with the National People’s Assembly (APN) as the lower chamber. Explore similarities and differences. Jacques Derrida, the father of deconstruction, was born in Algiers. 90,000 are from Morocco and 4,100 from Palestine. The Pirates would also ally themselves with powers in the Caribbean by paying a tax in exchange for safe harbor. After a century of rule by France, Algeria became independent in 1962 and Arabic became official language - with a little help of Quran teachers from Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Institute of Industrial Property, National Agency of Investment Development, Centre National de Formation Environnemental. Algerian Arabic is spoken by 83 percent of the population, with Berber languages spoken in the Chaoui and Kabyle regions. 70 percent of the lawyers, 60 percent of its judges are women. From the European Community of Coal’s founding in 1952, Algeria was a full member up until its independence in 1962. The occupation damaged Algerian society by uprooting the population in land development and lowering the literacy rate. All those 18 and older can vote. In 1995, elections resumed. This has led to an increase in foreign investment. He collectivized agricultural lands, launched an industrialization drive, and nationalized the oil industry. Col. Joseph MOBUTU seized power and declared himself president in a November 1965 coup. In the 17th century, their privateering in Algiers peaked. The provincial government is the People’s Provincial Assembly. Algiers is the largest city with 3,518,083 in population with Oran following at 771,066, Sidi Bel Abbes at 568,928, Constantine at 507,224, Annaba at 383,504, Batna at 317,206, Blida at 264,598, Setif at 246,379, Chlef at 235,062, Djelfa at 221,231, Biskra at 207,987, Tebessa at 203,922, Tiaret at 198, 213, Ouargla at 183,238, Behaia at 182,131, Skikda at 178,687, Tlemcen at 172,540, Bordj Bou Arrérigj at 167,230, Béchar at 157,430, and Médéa at 155,852. Sultan Selim I sent Suneel Basi 6,000 soldiers and 2,000 janissaries, allowing him to liberate Algerian territory taken by the Spanish. Tuberculosis, measles, hepatitis, typhoid fever, cholera, and dysentery are still caused by poor sanitation. Algerian Monuments and Landscapes include the mountain of Chréa near the city of Blida, Zighout Youcef Street in Algiers, Roman ruins of Timgad, the city of Oran’s 1 November Place, Tichy’s beach in Bejaïa, the city of Constantine’s hanging bridge, El-Kantara in Biskra, and the country’s highest point Mt. Fertile land exists from the coast to the Tell Atlas. If you are interested in telling stories in an impactful way to shine a spotlight on a particular issue, please email editor@africa.com. As of may 8, Algeria confirmed 123,900 cases of COVID-19 and 3,321 COVID-19 related deaths in its borders. The French conquest resulted in much bloodshed; nearly one-third of the population died of either violence or illness from 1830 to 1872. © 2010-2021 Africa.com. After Oruc Reis’ death in 1518, he was followed by his brother, Suneel Basi. Each is named after its seat, which is often the largest city. Algeria is a member state of the League of Arab States Less than 1 percent of the people are Europeans, most of whom reside in the cities. European colonists, known as pieds-noirs, formed a majority of Oran’s population at 60 percent. 277; Kotze and Garcia-Rivero, pg. In 1989 the Union was established but carries little practical weight. Content is produced in collaboration between Africa.com’s editorial team and our partners — including nongovernmental organizations, private sector stakeholders, agencies and institutions. Graduates are awarded the Baccalauréat de l’Enseignement secondaire. While nearly the entire French Algerian population fled after independence, a few thousand do still remain. It has been controlled since independence by the FLN. The slaves were sold in Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Algeria and Morocco. As one of France's longest-held overseas territories, Algeria became a destination for hundreds of thousands of European immigrants known as colons, and later as pieds-noirs. The First (1801-1805) and Second Barbary Wars (1815) with the United States resulted from this piracy. There are three school systems, basic, general secondary, and technical secondary. Between the ages of six and 15 education is compulsory. This increases rain from September to December. Russia also agreed to erase Algeria’s $4.74 billion Soviet Era debt in 2006. The poor in Algeria typically receive free health care. Berbers typically speak Algerian Arabic as a second language. President: The President is elected for a five year term by direct, secret and universal suffrage. Barbary pirates destroyed 466 English merchant chips from 1609 to 1616. From this, all political parties based on religion, including the winning Islamic party, were banned. The 1976 constitution cemented the state-controlled media and the government’s prior outlawing of political parties. The northern, coastal area is home to 90 percent of the population. Algeria’s highest official temperature was measured at 50.6 °C (123.1 °F). Following independence, nearly all of the community fled, but a very small number still live in Algiers. Large portions of Algerian cities were occupied by these settlers. Apuleius, a Latin author, was born in what later became Algeria. Algeria is part of international organizations such as the Arab League, United Nations, African Union and OPEC. The country’s coastal area is mostly hilly and even mountainous with a few natural harbors. After the Kabyle population’s protest in 2001 and their near total election boycott, the issue of traditional Berber languages and identity increased. Formerly referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, it is a North African country that, in terms of land area, ranks as the second largest in Africa (behind Sudan). The slogan ‘El-Jazaïr jumhuriya, mashi mamlaka’ (‘Algeria is a republic not a monarchy’) is a protest against the virtual privatisation of the Algerian state by self-serving cliques and announces the … Algeria firmly believes that the rule of law and the implementation of participatory democracy included all those who respect the constitutional order and laws of the Republic and who reject violence, are two of the most effective tools in the fight against violent extremism and terrorism. Early in the 20th century, renewed efforts to grow the plant were initiated. The French philosopher Voltaire once said about the Prussian army: “where some States possess an army, the Prussian army possesses a State.” Arab armies rule the State. All rights reserved. Attracting investment in non-energy industries has largely failed to reduce high unemployment. Algeria will also pay off its $8 billion Paris Club debt earlier than scheduled. During this time, the Bubonic plague struck hard in North African cities, with 30,000 to 5,000 dead in Algiers in the 17th and 18th centuries. A constitutional two-term limit was removed in 2008 by parliament. Province is directed by a “Wali” or governor whom the Algerian President selects. The Council of Nations, the upper chamber, has 144 members. The Algerian economy’s oil dependence led to great hardship when the price of oil fell in the 1980s. Preying on non-Islamic shipping in the western Mediterranean, they were based in Tunis, Tripoli, Algiers, Salé and other Moroccan ports. He also enslaved nearly all of Lipari’s population of 9,000. The Spanish occupied several Algerian coastal towns, such as Mers El Kébir in 1505, Oran in 1509, and Algiers and Bugia in 1510. French has also been incorporated into early childhood education. In 1978, when Boumédienne died, his successor, Chadli Bendjedid opened these restrictions slightly. 340). The Algerian War for Independence began in 1954 as a guerilla campaign by the National Liberation Front (FLN). Numidia was known for its excellent cavalry, had a reputation for fertile soil, and shared relations with Carthage, Rome, and Ancient Greece. After that time, Algiers became a world military power. The descendants of Muslim Algerians converted by Catholic French missionaries, called Evolves, largely moved to France and Europe. Most of Algerian’s ethnic ancestors are Berbers and some Middle-East populations, such as Punics and Arabs. Tightening of the Maghreb Union, a trade union in North Africa, is blocked by tension between Algeria and Morocco over the Western Sahara. The assembly is elected by the people every five years. The few in the Sahara live near oases, but approximately 1.5 million are at least partially nomadic. The President heads the Council of Ministers as well as the High Security Council. With the large youth populations, health policy favors prevention. Hugo of Moncada and his Spanish attacks in 1519 were repulsed. Definition: This entry gives the basic form of government. The Shia Fatimids overthrew the Rustamids after converting Kutama of Kabylie to Islam, thereby leaving the area to Zirid vassals. The only natural sites if a mountain range, the Tassili n’Ajjer. The northern part of Algeria receives the most rain. Algiers is the country’s capital city. Improved sanitation was available to 99 percent in urban areas and 82 percent in rural ones. There were an inadequate number of health professionals in 2002 with .31 dentists per 1,000 people, 1.13 physicians per 1,000 and 2.23 nurses per 1,000. Oil is Algeria’s economic backbone and accounts for 60 percent of its budget. The provinces are listed by their designated number as follows: (1) Adrar, (2) Chlef, (3) Laghouat, (4) Oum el Bouaghi, (5) Batna, (6) Béjaia, (7) Biskra, (8) Béchar, (9) Blida, (10) Bouira, (11) Tamanghasset, (12) Tébessa, (13) Tiemcen, (14) Tiaret, (15) Tizi Ouzou, (16) Algiers, (17) Djelfa, (18) Jijel, (19) Sétif, (20) Saida, (21) Skikda, (22) Sidi Bel Abbes, (23) Annaba, (24) Guelma, (25) Constantine, (26) Médéa, (27) Mostaganem, (28) M’Sila, (29) Mascara, (30) Ouargla, (31) Oran, (32) El Bayadh, (33) Ilizi, (34) Bordj Bou Arréridj, (35) Boumerdés, (36) El Tarf, (37) Tindouf, (38) Tissemsilt, (39) El Oued, (40) Khenchela, (41) Souk Ahras, (42) Tipasa, (43) Mila, (44) Ain Defla, (45) Naama, (46) Ain Témouchent, (47) Ghardaia, and (48) Relizane. Also, the dwarf palm is cultivated in large quantities for their leaves and horsehair like fibers. Those from Western Sahara, the Sahrawis, total between 90,000 to 160,000. This included most Algerians of European descent and 81,000 Harkis. Bordering nations: Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, SADR, Mauritania, Mali and Niger. The government is using high oil and gas prices to improve industry and agriculture. A highland region in the central Sahara in southern Algeria is known as the Ahaggar Mountains or the Hoggar. Corsairs captured and destroyed Ciutadella in 1558 and took 3,000 of the survivors to Turkey as slaves. The country’s main cities are Algiers, Oran, Tiziuzou, Annaba, and Constantine. Currently, the Algerian agricultural sector employs 25 percent of its citizens. M'Zab Valley with its five ksour (fortified villages). It has the 14th highest world oil reserves with 11.8 billion barrels proven, with some estimates even higher. It is nearly a de-facto official language. Algeria’s northern modern boundaries were established by the Ottomans, making its coast a base for Ottoman corsairs. To better understand the Algerian Army, there are two important dates to remember, August 20th, 1955 and notably, August 20th,1956. Fertile land exists from the coast to the Tell Atlas. Oruc Reis conquered Algiers in 1516 with the support of Turkish troops and Algiers joined the Ottoman Empire with him as Algiers’ ruler. Timgad lies on the northern slopes of the Aurès mountains and was created as a military colony by the Emperor Trajan in AD 100. 99 percent of Algerians speak these languages, with 72 percent speaking Arabic and 27 percent Berber. For men 19-30, military service is mandatory for eighteen months with six spent actively training and the remainder on civil projects. Certainly, everything started with the rejection of a 5th term in office for deposed president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, but the reasons for popular … Desert temperatures are very hot, even in the winter. Based along the Barbary Coast, an area along a stretch of Northern Africa, the pirates’ range extended throughout the Mediterranean, along West Africa, and into the North Atlantic even as far as Iceland and the United States. Some, notably author Terrence McKenna, believed stories of the Garden of Eden and humanity’s birth used Algeria as the inspiration. While the Punic language of the Phoenicians died out after the 6th century AD, Algerian cities often have Punic or Roman names. Hayreddin captured Ischia in 1544, taking 4,000 prisoners. In addition, Algeria ordered two Russian 636-type diesel submarines. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/algeria/government.htm Rachid Mimouni, who later became Amnesty International’s vice president and Tahar Djaout, a secularist murdered in 1993 by an Islamist group, are additional important writers. The President is the commander-in-chief. FLN leader Ahmed Ben Bella was Algeria’s first president. And were not French citizens beginning at the borders of Libya, Niger and Mali government established the system... Change resulting from the time of the rural population and 92 percent of and! 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