What are the natural features of this North American country? Where is Algeria located? Minerals, large rivers, the nature of the relief - all this will be discussed in this article. In addition, you will learn about seven amazing facts that make this state unique, not like the others.
North African Countries: Algeria
According to the UN classification, seven countries belong to the countries of North Africa . Among them, Algeria is the largest country in the Black Continent. A huge part of its territory is the practically lifeless expanses of the Sahara desert. In the north, the country has wide access to the Mediterranean Sea. The capital of the state is the city of the same name - Algeria.
According to the constitution, a country is a republic in which power is divided between the president and parliament. However, a little more authority still belongs to the president, because he is entitled to appoint a third of the composition of the Senate (one of the two houses of parliament).
The administrative division of Algeria is very interesting. The country is divided into 48 so-called vilayets. Moreover, the southern regions are much larger in area than the northern ones. So, for example, on the territory of the Adrar vilayet, they could easily accommodate at least two dozen northern vilayets of the country.
What are the main natural features of Algeria? This will be discussed in the following sections of the article.
Geological structure and relief
Two geological structures coexist within this country:
- platform Sahara (Precambrian age);
- folded Atlas (formed in the era of alpine mountain building).
Some inland areas are located below sea level. This is one of the interesting features that Algeria has. The minerals mined in this state, their deposits are closely connected precisely with the geological structure of this territory.
About 80% of the country's territory is Sahara - the largest desert on the planet. The relief features of Algeria are very specific: almost the entire flat part of the country consists of separate rocky and sandy massifs (ergs). In the southeastern part, the Sahara desert smoothly passes into the Akhaggar Highlands, within which the highest point of the country is Mount Tahat (the absolute height is 2906 meters). In the far north of Algeria, mountain ranges stretch - Tel Atlas and Sahara Atlas. They are separated by an elevated plateau, generously cut by deep canyons and beautiful caves.
Like all other countries in North Africa, Algeria has wide access to the Mediterranean Sea. The total coastline of this country is almost 1000 kilometers.
Algeria: minerals and their reserves
By the total reserves of mineral raw materials, the country can be safely put in the top five leading African states. Algeria is rich in minerals such as oil and gas, phosphorites, iron ore, manganese ore, mercury, lead and zinc. Bituminous coal is mined in the districts of Bechar and Xixu.
The most important oil and gas fields are located in the areas of Hassi-Rmel, Hassi-Mesaud, Ezhel, Berkin, as well as in the Illizi Valley. Explored oil reserves in Algeria are estimated by experts at 12 billion barrels.
Algeria’s economy is largely dependent on revenues from the export of its energy resources. After the fall in global oil prices in recent years, the state has faced a number of economic problems. Therefore, in 2015, the country's leadership decided to increase oil and gas production.
Climatic features
The climate in Algeria is significantly different in the southern and northern regions of the country. So, in the north it is of a subtropical Mediterranean type, and in the center and in the south it is tropical desert.
Algerian winter is very different, depending on the specific place. On the coast, it is very warm, with heavy rains. The air temperature here even in January often reaches + 12 ... + 15 degrees. The mountains are cooler, in winter there is often formed a snow cover. Summer in Algeria is very hot and dry, regardless of the region. In the Sahara, the amplitudes of daily temperatures can reach twenty degrees!
Significant differences are also observed in the degree of moisture in different regions of Algeria. So, in the desert regions of the Sahara, only 20-50 millimeters of precipitation fall annually, and in the Atlas mountains - up to 1000-1200 millimeters.
Water resources of the country
Almost all major rivers of Algeria have the appearance of temporarily drying streams that are filled with water only during the rainy season. Locals call them weds. The rivers of the northern regions of the country flowing down from the mountains are more full-flowing. But in the center and in the south, all watercourses, as a rule, are “lost” in the endless sands of the Sahara.
Most Algerian lakes also often dry up. At the same time, their basins can be covered with a thick crust of salt. Where groundwater comes close to the surface, oases form.
Algeria's largest river, the Sheliff, is 700 kilometers long. How it looks can be seen in the photo below.
The river originates in the mountains of the Sahara Atlas, crosses the Tuile plateau and carries its muddy waters to the Mediterranean Sea. In the lower reaches, Sheliff flows in a deep and beautiful gorge. On the river are the large cities of Algeria - Ash Sheliff, Ain Defla, Hemis Millana. Agriculture is actively developing in the Sheliffa River Valley; cotton, grapes and citrus fruits are grown here.
Flora and fauna of Algeria
Geography of Algeria is not only a relief, minerals, climate and water bodies. Of great importance for the study of any country are its flora and fauna.
The natural zones of Algeria are very different from each other. The coastal territories of the country, as well as the northern slopes of the Atlas, are occupied by a zone of evergreen forests and shrubs. These areas receive a sufficient amount of moisture and heat. Therefore, it is here that a large part of the inhabitants of this state is concentrated.
In the north of Algeria, forests of stone and cork oak with an admixture of pine, cedar and juniper grow. There are wild boars, hares, and also exotic animals - macaques.
In the southern and central parts of Algeria, the natural zones are radically different. These territories are occupied by a hot desert zone. The plant world here, of course, is extremely poor and is represented by rare hodgepodge and ephemera. In the Sahara, you can meet the dangerous predator of the cheetah, as well as other mammals - hyena, jackal, gazelle, antelope. In the deserts of Algeria there are many small rodents, snakes and birds of prey, scorpions and phalanges are found.
Natural beauties and sights of the country
One of the main natural attractions of Algeria is the Mediterranean Sea! It is best to admire its open spaces from the streets of one of the ancient cities of the country's northern coast.
Tourists in Algeria must visit the Tassilin-Adger plateau, which has an unusual appearance. With the help of “weathering”, nature created pillars and rocks of amazing beauty here. It is on the Tassilin-Adger plateau that the world's largest artificial cave is located, on the walls of which you can see mysterious drawings of primitive people.
Another very popular natural site in Algeria is the source of the Hammam Meskutin. The water in it warms up to 98 degrees Celsius. Locals confidently claim that it is able to cure absolute any human ailment.
An interesting national park is "Gureya", located in the north of the country, near the city of Sidi Tuati. In the 80s, it was included in the list of UNESCO biosphere reserves. The center of the protected area is the mountain of the same name Gureya, on the slopes of which live representatives of the endangered species of primates - magoty.
Cultural Features of Algeria
The culture of Algeria is based on the features of Arab culture, which were supplemented at one time by Turkish and French influence. Most of the population of this country speaks Arabic (or rather, in its Algerian dialect). In large cities, residents also know French well.
The overwhelming majority of the inhabitants of Algeria profess Islam, Christianity is a little common, as well as Judaism.
Local writers and poets write in three languages - Arabic, French and Kabile. Literature began to develop in Algeria at the end of the 16th century. The impetus for this development was the desire of Algerians for independence. Among modern writers, the novelist Yasmine Khadr should be singled out, whose novels were nominated for the Dublin Literary Prize.
7 amazing facts about the country
Finally, we bring to your attention seven unusual and interesting facts about this country:
- Algerians do not like to be photographed. When they see the camera, they, as a rule, sharply turn away.
- On the graves there is not written the date of death, as well as the name of the deceased.
- Algeria is the only country in Africa where a woman is not discriminated against or oppressed.
- This is an amazingly diverse country in terms of climate. So, in summer here the air can warm up to +50 degrees, and in winter in some cities it often snows.
- The influence of Western (in particular, American) culture in Algeria is very insignificant. You can’t freely buy dollars here, you won’t meet the usual McDonald’s in cities, and Coca-Cola is not at all popular.
- This country has a lake filled with natural ink that can be written.
- The metro of the city of Algeria was designed and built by Soviet specialists.
Finally
Now you know what is unique about Algeria. Minerals that are actively mined here are iron and manganese ore, natural gas, phosphorites. Algerian land is also rich in deposits of "black gold".
The relief features of Algeria are very specific. So, about 80% of the territory is occupied by the Sahara. In the north, it passes into the Atlas mountain ranges. But on the narrow coastal strip (beyond the mountains), more than 90% of the total population of Algeria lives.