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 Algerian People's Democratic Republic.
It borders with such states: Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Libya and Tunisia. The capital of the country is the city of the same name Algeria.
History of Algeria
The history of the state began back in the 10th century BC, when the first tribes of the Phoenicians settled on these lands. For a long time the territory belonged to the Roman, then Byzantine Empire. In the 16th century, Algeria became a province of the Ottoman association. And in the XIX century it is part of France, as its colony. And only in 1962, Algeria (Africa) became an independent state.
The name comes from the word "el jazair" - "islands". More than 80% of the entire territory of the state falls on the largest desert of the planet - the Sahara. The Akhaggar Highlands are located in the southeast, and the highest point of the country is the city of Tahat (2,906 m). In the north, it is surrounded by one of the few mountain systems in Africa - Atlas Mountains.
Climate
Description of Algeria should start with the weather. The country is located in two climatic zones: subtropical Mediterranean type and tropical desert. The latter is unfavorable for the population living here. Therefore, the vast majority of the country's inhabitants (about 93%) settled precisely on the northern coast. Winter is mild, rainy, without frosty temperatures. Average January t ° + 12 ° . Summer is hot and dry. In desert areas, air temperature depends on the time of day. The difference between day and night can reach more than 20 ° C. On the tops of the mountains even snow falls.
Algeria is a country with a dry climate. The annual rainfall does not exceed 100-150 mm. There are no rivers with a constant flow. Only in the rainy season can dry channels be filled with water. The only major river in Algeria is the Sheliff, with a length of 700 km. 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 solitary oases. They arise in those places where groundwater rises close to the surface.
Vegetable world
The plant world of the country also varies due to the features of the relief and climate. In the north of the country dominates the Mediterranean type of vegetation. This is what distinguishes Algeria. The population of the state is proud to be growing in the territory of their homeland. Here everywhere you can find low trees and dense shrubs: olive tree, pistachio, juniper, cork, sandarak, stone oak. Hardwood trees also grow. Sahara flora is very poor. It is represented only by two species: ephemera and solyanka.
Animal world
The fauna is also scarce. In addition to the natural decrease in the number of individuals, there is also the problem of the extermination of certain animal species. In the mountainous forest areas you can find hares, wild boars. The fauna of the Sahara is characteristic of the desert: hyenas, jackals, gazelles, antelopes, cheetahs, foxes.
Minerals
Algeria, whose population receives wages through foreign sales, has the largest deposits of oil and gas. They constitute the vast majority of the country's economy. This state is at the forefront 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 urban residents. Ethnically, the vast majority of the inhabitants are Arabs (83%). Mostly they live in a country like Algeria. The population of this state is also represented by the 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.
State characteristic
Algeria is a republic by state structure. At the head of the country is the president. The legislative body is the parliament, consisting of two chambers - the Senate and the People’s Assembly. All government bodies are elected by voting for a 5-year term.
By administrative division, this country is divided into regions (vilayets). Algeria is divided into 48 provinces. They, in turn, are divided into districts, and the latter into communes. In addition to the capital of Algeria, 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 reign of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires here. Locals honor their culture and carefully preserve historical monuments. Algeria, whose population is quite hospitable, is an ideal place for tourists, so a vacation in this area will be unforgettable. There are many hotels and hotels, they indulge in their pricing policy. However, you should pay attention to the temperature regime of the state, because you can easily “wind up” a cold caused by the peculiarities of the local climate.