FLAG: The national flag consists of two equal vertical stripes, one green and one white, with a red crescent enclosing a five-pointed red star in the center.

ANTHEM: Kassaman (We Pledge).

MONETARY UNIT: The Algerian dinar (da) is a paper currency of 100 centimes. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 50 centimes and 1, 5 and 10 dinars, and notes of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 dinars. da1 = $0.01395 (or $1 = da71.67) as of 2005.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard.

HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Day, 1 May; Overthrow of Ben Bella, 19 June; Independence Day, 5 July; Revolution Day, 1 November. Muslim religious holidays include ‘Id al-Fitr, ‘Id al-’Adha’, 1st of Muharram (Muslim New Year), and Milad an-Nabi. Christians observe their own religious holidays.

TIME: GMT.

1 Location and Size

Situated in northwestern Africa along the Mediterranean Sea, Algeria is the second-largest country on the continent. Comparatively, it is slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas, with a total area of 2,381,740 square kilometers (919,590 square miles). The country shares borders with Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, and Morocco. The total boundary length is 6,343 kilometers (3,933 miles). The total coastline is 998 kilometers (620 miles).

Land boundary and claims disputes with Libya and Tunisia are unresolved.

Algeria’s capital city, Algiers, is located on the northern boundary of the country along the Mediterranean Sea.

2 Topography

The parallel mountain ranges of the Tell (or Maritime Atlas) and the Saharan Atlas divide Algeria into three basic zones running generally east-west: the Mediterranean zone, or Tell; the High Plateaus, including the regions of Great and Small Kabylie; and the Sahara Desert, which accounts for at least 80% of Algeria’s total land

GEOGRAPHIC PROFILE

Geographic Features

Area: 2,381,740 sq km (919,590 sq mi)

Size ranking: 11 of 194

Highest elevation: 3,003 meters (9,852 feet) at Mount Tahat

Lowest elevation: -40 meters (-131 feet) at Chott Melrhir

Land Use*

Arable land: 3%

Permanent crops: 0%

Other: 97%

Weather**

Average annual precipitation: 69.1 centimeters (27.2 inches)

Average temperature in January: 10.3°c (50.5°f)

Average temperature in July: 24.4°c (75.9°f)

* Arable Land: Land used for temporary crops, like meadows for mowing or pasture, gardens, and greenhouses.

Permanent crops: Land cultivated with crops that occupy its use for long periods, such as cocoa, coffee, rubber, fruit and nut orchards, and vineyards.

Other: Any land not specified, including built-on areas, roads, and barren land.

** The measurements for precipitation and average temperatures were taken at weather stations closest to the country’s largest city.

Precipitation and average temperature can vary significantly within a country, due to factors such as latitude, altitude, coastal proximity, and wind patterns.

area. The highest point is Mount Tahat (3,003 meters/9,852 feet), in the Ahaggar Range of the Sahara. The lowest point is Chott Melrihr (-40 meters/-131 feet), located in the north region of the country.

Only the main rivers of the Tell have water all year round, but the summer flow is generally small. None of the rivers are navigable. The longest river is the Chelif (230 kilometers/143 miles), which empties into the Mediterranean Sea.

The mountainous areas of the High Plateaus are poorly watered. In the High Plateaus are many salt marshes and dry or shallow salt lakes (sebkhas or chotts). Farther south, the land becomes increasingly arid, merging into the completely dry desert.

Algeria lies on the African Tectonic Plate. Northwestern Algeria is a seismically active area.

3 Climate

Northern Algeria lies within the temperate zone, and its climate is similar to that of other Mediterranean countries, although the variety of the land provides sharp contrasts in temperature. The coastal region has a pleasant climate, with winter temperatures averaging from 10 to 12°c (50 to 54°f) and average summer temperatures ranging from 24 to 26°c (75 to 79°f).

Inland the climate changes. Winters average 4 to 6°c (39 to 43°f), with considerable frost and occasional snow on the mountains; summers average 26 to 28°c (79 to 82°f). In the Sahara Desert, temperatures range from -10 to 34°c (14 to 93°f), with extreme highs of 49°c (120°f). There are daily variations of more than 44°c (80°f). Winds are frequent and violent and rainfall is irregular and unevenly distributed.

4 Plants and Animals

Characteristic trees of northern Algeria are the olive and the cork oak. The mountain regions

contain large forests of evergreens (Aleppo pine, juniper, and evergreen oak) and some deciduous trees. The forests are inhabited by boars and jackals, which are all that remain of the many wild animals once common. Fig, eucalyptus, agave, and various palm trees grow in the warmer areas. Esparto grass, alfa, and drinn are common in the semiarid regions. On the coastal plain, the grape vine is indigenous.

Vegetation in the Sahara is sparse and widely scattered. Animal life is varied but scarce. Camels are used extensively. Other mammals are jackals, jerboas, and rabbits. The desert also abounds with poisonous and nonpoisonous snakes, scorpions, and numerous insects.

5 Environment

Algeria’s principal environmental problem is desertification. Soil erosion from overgrazing adds to the effect. Other significant environmental problems include water shortages and pollution. The small amount of water available in Algeria is threatened by regular droughts. The problem is further complicated by lack of sewage control and pollutants from the oil industry, as well as other industrial effluents. The Mediterranean Sea has also been contaminated by the oil industry, fertilizer runoff, and soil erosion.

In 2006, threatened species included 12 types of mammals, 11 species of birds, 2 types of reptiles, 10 species of fish, and 2 species of plants. Endangered include the Barbary hyena, Barbary leopard, Barbary macaque, and Mediterranean monk seal. The red gazelle and the Sahara oryx are extinct.

6 Population

The population of Algeria was estimated at 32.8 million in 2005. The projected population for the year 2025 is 40.6 million. The population is concentrated in the cultivated areas of the north and thinly distributed in the plateau and desert regions. More than 90% of the populace lives in about one-eighth of the land area. The population density in 2005 was estimated at 14 per square mile kilometer (36 per square mile). Algiers had a population of about 3 million people in 2005.

7 Migration

In 2005, there were 165,000 refugees from Western Sahara in the Tindouf region of southwestern Algeria. As of 2003, there were about one million internally displaced persons within the country. In 2005, the net migration rate for Algeria was estimated at about -0.4 migrants per 1,000 population.

8 Ethnic Groups

The citizens of Algeria, called Algerians, consist almost entirely of Arabs. The Berbers (an Arab group) are descendants of the original inhabitants of Algeria and are divided into many subgroups. They account for 99% of the population. The Kabyles (Kaba’il), mostly farmers, live in the compact mountainous section in the northern part of the country between Algiers and Constantine. The Chaouia (Shawiyyah) live in the Aurès Mountains of the northeast. The Mzab, or Mozabites, include sedentary date growers in the Ued Mzab oases. Desert groups include the Tuareg, Tuat, and Wargla (Ouargla).

Europeans are of French, Corsican, Spanish, Italian, and Maltese ancestry. Algeria’s European population was estimated at less than 1% of the population in 2005.

9 Languages

The sole official and majority language is Arabic, with many variations and dialects. Many Algerians also speak French. About one-fifth of the population speaks a wide variety of Berber dialects, particularly in Kabylie, in the Aurès, and in smaller, relatively protected areas in the mountains and the Sahara. Berber is a distinct branch of the Hamitic language group.

10 Religions

About 99% of the population adheres to Islam, which is the state religion. Most Muslims are adherents of the Maliki rite of the Sunni sect, with a few Hanafi adherents. The law prohibits assemblies to practice any faith other than Islam. However, there are some religious groups that conduct services without government interference. Non-Muslims usually meet in private homes for worship services.

Many citizens who practice non-Muslim faiths have fled the country because of the civil war. The number of Christians and Jews is thus significantly lower than in the early 1990s. The number of non-Muslim residents has been estimated at less than 5,000. The largest Christian groups are Methodists, Roman Catholics, and Seventh-Day Adventists.

11 Transportation

In 2004, Algeria’s nationally owned railroad had about 3,973 kilometers (2,471 miles) of track. The system consists of a main east-west line linked with the railways of Tunisia and Morocco. It also links with lines serving the mining regions of Béchar (formerly Colomb Béchar); the High Plateaus;

the date-producing areas of Biskra, Touggourt, and Tebessa; and the main port cities.

In 2002, there were 104,000 kilometers (64,625 miles) of roads, of which about 75% were paved. In 2003, there were 372,300 passenger cars and 528,000 commercial vehicles. The French colonial government built a good road system, partly for military purposes, which has not been well maintained since independence. However, new roads have been built linking the Sahara oil fields with the coast. Algeria’s portion of the trans-Saharan highway, formally known as the Road of African Unity, stretches about 420 kilometers (260 miles) from Hassi Marroket to

the Niger border south of Tamanrasset. It was completed in 1985.

Algiers is the principal seaport. Algeria’s merchant fleet numbered 56 ships totaling 837,676 gross registered tons as of 2005.

An extensive air service uses 137 airports and airstrips. The main international airport is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Algiers. Air Algérie, the national airline, provides international service; it carried 3.29 million passengers in 2003.

12 History

Before the period of recorded history, the North African coastal area now known as Algeria was inhabited by Berber tribal groups, from whom many present-day Algerians are descended. Phoenician sailors established coastal settlements. After the eighth century bc, the territory was controlled by Carthage, the largest Phoenician settlement. Roman dominance dates from the fall of Carthage in 146 bc. Completely annexed in ad 40, the region (known as Numidia) became a center of Roman culture. Christianity flourished, as did agriculture and commerce. Despite the prosperity of the Roman cities and the cereal-growing countryside, there were frequent Berber revolts. The Roman influence gradually declined, especially after the Vandal invasion of 430–31. The Byzantine Empire conquered eastern Numidia in the sixth century.

After the Arab conquest began in 637, the area was known as Al-Maghrib al-Awsat, or the Middle West. Arabs from the east attacked in the 11th century. The Almoravid dynasty from Morocco also took possession of part of the region during this period. They were followed by Almohads a century later. Although these and other dynasties and individuals united the territory and consolidated it with Morocco and Spain, local rulers retained considerable power.

Spain conquered part of the coast in the early 16th century, and Algerians asked for aid from ‘Aruj, known as Barbarossa, a Turkish pirate. He expelled the Spaniards from some of their coastal footholds, made himself sultan, and conquered additional territory. Spain held a small area around Oran until 1708 and controlled it again from 1732 to 1791.

Algiers became increasingly independent and, joining with other states along the coast, thrived on piracy. At this time, it had diplomatic and trade relations with many European countries, including France. But with the defeat (though not suppression) of the pirates by United States and European fleets during 1815– 16, and with the growing European interest in acquiring overseas colonies, Algiers was seen as a possible addition to either the British or the French empire. In 1830, the French took over the principal ports, gained control of the northern regions, and set up a system of fortified posts. Thereafter, revolts often broke out, notably the guerrilla war from 1830 to 1847 led by the legendary hero Abd al-Qader, and the Kabyle rebellion in 1871. Other sections, however, remained independent of France until the first decade of the 20th century.

Al-Jazair, as it was called in Arabic, became Algérie, a name that France applied to the territory for the first time in 1839. In 1848, northern Algeria was proclaimed a part of France and was organized into three provinces. Following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71, large numbers of French colonizers settled the most fertile lands, as did other Europeans at the invitation of France. Muslims had no political rights except for limited participation in local financial decisions.

Following World War I (1914–18), France took the first steps toward making all of Algeria an integral part of France. In 1919, voting rights were given to a few Muslims, based on education and military service qualifications. (French citizenship had previously been open to Muslims who renounced their religious status.)

During World War II (1939–45), in exchange for loyalty to France, many Muslims hoped for increased rights. Moderates believed that France might be persuaded to grant Algeria a separate status while retaining close diplomatic, economic, and defense ties. In 1957, all Muslims became French subjects, but about 9 million Muslims and 500,000 Europeans voted in separate elections for a joint assembly.

The Rise of the FLN Meanwhile, younger nationalists had formed what would become known as the National Liberation Front (Front de Libération Nationale-FLN), and a guerrilla war was launched on 1 November 1954. The FLN’s National Liberation Army (Armée de Libération Nationale; ALN) carried out acts of terrorism and sabotage throughout Algeria and gained increasing mass support. Eventually, France was forced to maintain at least 450,000 troops in Algeria. During more than seven years of civil war, more than 100,000 Muslim guerrillas

and civilians and 10,000 French soldiers lost their lives.

The war in Algeria toppled several French governments before causing the downfall of the Fourth Republic in May 1958. General Charles de Gaulle was then brought to power by French rightists and military groups in Algeria. To their surprise, however, he pursued a policy of preparing for Algerian independence. He offered self-determination to Algeria in September 1958. Independence was formally proclaimed on 3 July 1962, despite a program of counterterrorism by the French Secret Army Organization operating in Algeria.

With independence achieved, a seven-man Political Bureau, set up as the policymaking body of the FLN, took over control of the country on 5 August 1962. Ahmed Ben Bella became the first premier, and Ferhat Abbas was chosen speaker of the Assembly. The assembly adopted a constitution, which was endorsed in September 1963.

Elected president in October, Ben Bella began to nationalize foreign-owned land and industry. Opposition to his authoritarian leadership led to an outbreak of armed revolts in July 1964 and to open attacks by leading political figures. On 19 June 1965, the Ben Bella government was overthrown in a bloodless takeover directed by Colonel Houari Boumedienne, first deputy premier and defense minister. The 1963 constitution was suspended, and a revolutionary council headed by Boumedienne took power.

Bendjedid and Government Reform The new government shifted to a more gradual approach to national development, with deliberate economic planning and an emphasis on financial stability. During the 1970s, the council nationalized the oil industry and initiated farm reforms. Boumedienne was officially elected president in December 1976 but he died two years later.

The FLN Central Committee, with strong army backing, chose Colonel Chadli Bendjedid as the party’s leader, and he became president on 7 February 1979. After a period of transition, the Bendjedid government moved toward more moderate policies, expanding powers for the provinces and state enterprises.

Serious internal trouble developed in 1988 when young Algerians rioted over high prices, unemployment, and the dictatorship of an aging and corrupt revolutionary government. Shocked by the 500 deaths in the streets, Bendjedid moved to liberalize his government. New political parties were allowed to form outside the FLN. In addition, the prime minister and cabinet were made responsible to the National Assembly.

Burdened by heavy debts and low oil prices, Bendjedid was forced to follow tight economic policies and to abandon socialism for the free market-actions that further inflamed his opposition, now led by the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS). In 1989, the FIS won 55% of urban election seats while the FLN maintained power in the countryside. Elections to the National Assembly, postponed six months, were held in December 1991 under relatively free conditions. FIS candidates won 188 out of 231 contested seats, needing only 28 more places in a second vote to control the 430-member assembly. The FLN won only 16 seats.

The army, disappointed with the election results, arrested FIS leaders and postponed the second-stage vote indefinitely. Bendjedid resigned under pressure from the army. Mohammed Boudiaf, a hero of the revolution, returned from exile to lead the High State Council that the army established. A harsh crackdown on Islamists began. The FIS was banned and its local councils were closed. An opposition group known as the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) formed and began a campaign of terrorism against both the government and civilian groups. As acts of terrorism continued by both sides in 1992 and 1993, the regime declared a state of emergency, set up special security courts, and arrested more than 5,000 persons. Boudiaf was assassinated in June 1992, to be replaced by Ali Kafi with Redha Malek as prime minister in August 1993. In January 1994, Defense Minister Liamine Zeroual was named president and the five-man presidential council was abolished.

Parties accounting for 80% of the vote in the 1991 parliamentary elections were excluded from participating, but the government claimed that 75% of registered voters participated in the 1994 election. Zeroual’s first act as president was to pass a new constitution that greatly expanded presidential powers. Voters approved the new constitution in an effort to give the government the power to stop civil conflict, which had claimed between 60,000 and 100,000 lives since 1992. The elections did not stop the terrorist activity of the GIA and by 1997 bombings and massacres had become common. Despite the political instability, pro-government parties won the parliamentary elections of June 1997. Three nighttime massacres in Algiers killed hundreds of civilians in September 1997.

Algeria made an appeal to the UN Human Rights Commission in March 1998 for help with its domestic terrorism problem. However, the government refused to allow international observers to investigate the mass killings. From 1992–98, GIA violence was responsible for 100,000 deaths.

Boudiaf unexpectedly stepped down in February 1999 and new elections were held in April. Amid allegations of massive electoral fraud, Abdelaziz Bouteflika was elected president. Before the year ended, he opened a dialogue with opposition groups and took steps to fight corruption. In a major effort to stop internal violence and terrorism, he also introduced “Civil Concord Plan” based on an earlier truce agreement between the military and the FIS Islamic Salvation Army. Under the plan, 5,000 rebels received amnesty and the Islamic Salvation Army disbanded, but some violence continued.

BIOGRAPHICAL PROFILE

Name: Abdelaziz Bouteflika

Position: President of a republic

Took Office: First elected to office 28 April 1999; reelected in April 2004

Birthplace: Oujda, Morocco

Birthdate: 2 March 1937

Religion: Islam

Spouse: Amal Triki

Children: No children

Of interest: Bouteflika has often been called the consensus candidate referring to his strong interest in finding solutions to international crises rather than domestic problems.

In April 2001, a Berber youth taken into custody by the police was killed, sparking months of demonstrations and rioting in the northeastern region of Kabylie. The ethnic Berbers protested not only against police brutality but against discrimination and repression of their group. More than 90 people died in the unrest. In May, the mainly Berber party, the Rally for Culture and Democracy, withdrew from the government in protest against the government’s handling of the unrest. In October, Bouteflika agreed to a constitutional amendment granting national recognition to the Berber language, Tamazight. However, the language would not be granted “official” status, like Arabic.

In the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, the U.S. government called upon all countries to implement counterterrorism measures. Algeria pledged full support for the campaign against terrorism and sent the United States a list of 350 Islamic extremists known to be living abroad. In 2003, French president Jacques Chirac visited Algiers, the first state visit by a French president since Algeria won independence in 1962. He laid flowers at a monument for Algerians who fought the French during the war, which was regarded as an act of reconciliation. Chirac also called on the government to use dialogue to end the Islamic revolt that had been ongoing since 1992.

Bouteflika was reelected in 2004 and promised to devote himself to national reconciliation. The same year, Algeria assumed a two-year seat on the UN Security Council.

The government seeks to eliminate Islamic militant forces. In January 2005, Nourredine Boudiafi, the head of the Armed Islamic Group (GIA), was arrested. His deputy was killed and the group was largely dismantled.

13 Government

Algerian voters approved a new constitution in 1996 that strengthened the already dominant role of the president. The president is elected for a five-year term and can be reelected once. Under the new constitution, a second legislative body called the Council of the Nations (senate) would join the National People’s Assembly. The Council has 144 seats. One-third of the Council is appointed by the president and the rest are elected by local and regional governments. The Council must approve any legislation from the National Assembly with a three-fourths majority. The 389 deputies of the National People’s Assembly are elected to five-year terms.

Local government consists of 48 provinces (wilayats), each of which are subdivided into districts (da’iraats). The districts are divided into communes, which are the basic units of local government. There are 1,541 communes.

14 Political Parties

In September 1989 the government approved a multiparty system. By December 1990, more than 30 legal political parties existed, including the National Liberation Front (FLN), and the Socialist Forces Front (FFS).

Twenty-three parties participated in the May 2002 parliamentary elections. Two Berber parties boycotted the elections, including the Rally for Culture and Democracy and the Socialist Forces Front. The FLN took a majority of seats in the National Assembly. Also winning seats were Islah, the National Democratic Rally, the Movement for a Peaceful Society, the Workers’ Party, the Algerian National Front, the Islamic Renaissance Movement, the Party of Algerian Renewal, and the Movement of National Understanding. The next elections were scheduled for 2007.

15 Judicial System

The judicial system includes civil and military courts. Within each wilayat (district) is a court for civil and some criminal cases. At the head of the system is the Supreme Court.

Algeria’s legal codes, adopted in 1963, are based on the laws of Islam and of other North African and Socialist states, as well as on French laws. In civilian courts, Shariah (Islamic law) is applied in resolving social issues.

A Constitutional Council reviews the constitutionality of treaties, laws, and regulations. It is not a part of the judiciary, but it can nullify unconstitutional laws.

16 Armed Forces

Six months of military service is compulsory for males. In 2005, the army had 120,000 officers and men, plus reserves of up to 150,000. The navy had 7,500 men. Vessels included two submarines, three frigates, six corvettes (frigates and corvettes are types of warships), and twenty-four

Yearly Growth Rate

This economic indicator tells by what percent the economy has increased or decreased when compared with the previous year.

patrol craft. The air force had 10,000 men and about 178 aircraft.

17 Economy

Saharan oil and natural gas have been important export items since 1959 and they dominate Algeria’s economy, accounting for more than 96% of total export value and 30% of gross domestic product (GDP). Algeria is the largest supplier of natural gas to the European Union (EU). Healthy growth rates in the early 21st century were driven by real export growth, based on expanding oil production. As of 2005, Algeria had a large trade surplus and high foreign exchange reserves and had reduced its foreign debt.

Agriculture produces only about 10% of Algeria’s GDP every year and meets only a small portion of the country’s needs. In the late 1990s and into the 2000s, challenges to the Algerian economy included terrorism, inefficient agricultural methods, and an unemployment rate of 22.5% in 2005 that extended into the ranks of professionals, engineers, and highly trained workers.

18 Income

In 2005, Algeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) was $237 billion, or an estimated $7,300 per person. The annual growth rate of GDP was estimated at 5.5%. The average inflation rate in 2002 was 4.7%.

19 Industry

Industries, which are concentrated around Algiers and Oran, include carpet mills, cement factories, chemical plants, automobile assembly plants, food-processing plants, oil refineries, soap factories, and textile plants. Other major industries produce bricks and tiles, rolled steel, farm machinery, electrical supplies, machine tools, phosphates, sulfuric acid, paper and cartons, matches, and tobacco products. As of 2005, industry accounted for about 60% of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). The hydrocarbons sector (mostly petroleum and natural gas) alone accounted for 30% of GDP in 2005 and over 96% of income from exports. The government has been encouraging diversification away from the nation’s heavy reliance on hydrocarbons.

20 Labor

The minimum age for employment is 16 years. Child labor remains a problem in agriculture and in the informal economy. In 2005, the estimated workforce stood at 10.1 million. About 22.5% of the workforce was unemployed in 2005. As of 2005, the minimum wage was $138 per month. This amount does not provide a family with a decent standard of living. Approximately two-thirds of Algerian workers were unionized as of 2005.

21 Agriculture

Although almost 24% of the population is engaged in agriculture (including subsistence farming), only 3.5% of Algeria’s land is cultivated. The soil is poor and subject to erosion, and the water supply is generally irregular and insufficient. In 2005, agriculture contributed approximately 10% to the gross domestic product (GDP).

The main agricultural products continue to be wheat, barley, pulses, fresh vegetables, dates, table and wine grapes, figs, olives, and citrus. Estimated agricultural output in 2004 included 2.6 million tons of wheat, 1.3 million tons of barley, 1.8 tons million of potatoes, 815,000 tons of tomatoes, 360,000 tons of oranges, 275,000 tons of grapes, and 450,000 tons of dates. In 2002, nearly 7.6 million tons of cereals were imported. Algeria is one of the world’s largest agricultural import markets. Imports of food and agricultural products amount to about $3 billion per year.

22 Domesticated Animals

About half of the livestock is owned by only 5% of the herdsmen. In 2004, there were an estimated 18.7 million sheep, 3.2 million goats, 1.56 million head of cattle, 245,000 camels, 170,000 donkeys, 44,000 horses, and 43,000 mules. There were also 125 million chickens. Algeria is self-sufficient in poultry meat and

Components of the Economy

This pie chart shows how much of the country’s economy is devoted to agriculture (including forestry, hunting, and fishing), industry, or services.

eggs, but must import everything needed to produce them (chicks, hatching eggs, feed, veterinary products, and equipment). Algeria has a severe shortage of milk, meat, and cheese and must therefore rely on imports. Algeria produces about one billion liters (264 million gallons) of milk annually, while consumption amounts to three billion liters (792 million gallons).

23 Fishing

Fishing is fairly extensive along the coast, but the industry is relatively undeveloped. Sardines, bogue, mackerel, anchovies, and shellfish are caught. The 2003 catch was 142,000 tons. About 54% of the catch was sardines.

24 Forestry

Only 1.6% of the land is forested. The mountain ranges contain dense forests of evergreens (evergreen oak, Aleppo pine, and cedar) and deciduous trees, whereas the warmer regions contain large numbers of fruit and palm trees. Algeria is an important producer of cork. Other forestry products are firewood, charcoal, and wood for

Yearly Balance of Trade

The balance of trade is the difference between what a country sells to other countries (its exports) and what it buys (its imports). If a country imports more than it exports, it has a negative balance of trade (a trade deficit). If exports exceed imports there is a positive balance of trade (a trade surplus).

industrial use. In 2003, roundwood production was estimated at 7.5 million cubic meters (94.7 million cubic feet).

25 Mining

Algeria’s phosphate deposits at Djebel Onk in the northeast are among the largest in the world, with an output of 905,000 metric tons in 2003. There are deposits of high-grade iron ore at Ouenza, near the Tunisian border. Production of iron ore totaled 1.37 million tons in 2003. Other mineral production includes zinc concentrate, bentonite, lead concentrate, mercury, crude barite, salt, hydraulic lime, and marble. Silver, kaolin, sulfur, fuller’s earth, and strontium are also mined.

26 Foreign Trade

Crude oil and natural gas account for nearly all of Algeria’s exports. Semifinished goods and foodstuffs dominate the country’s imports. The country typically has a trade surplus due to a significant trade in crude oil.

The majority of Algerian exports go to the United States, Italy, and France. The majority of imports come from France, Italy, and Germany.

27 Energy and Power

Natural gas and petroleum dominate the economy. In 2003, their exports were valued at more than 90% of total exports, and around 30% of gross domestic product (GDP). Algeria’s natural gas reserves are among the world’s largest, totaling an estimated 5 trillion cubic meters (160.4 trillion cubic feet) as of 2004. Proven reserves of crude oil amounted to 11.8 billion barrels in 2004.

Electricity production in 2002 was 25.9 billion kilowatt hours. There are two nuclear reactors in Algeria.

28 Social Development

A social insurance system for old age, disability, sickness, and death covers all employees and self-employed persons. Only salaried workers are entitled to unemployment benefits.

The Family Code, based on Islamic principles, treats women as legal minors for life, under the authority of the father, husband, or other male head of the family. The code permits polygamy (having more than one wife) and does not allow marriage between a Muslim woman and a non-Muslim man, while allowing a Muslim man

to marry outside the faith. In a court of law, a woman’s testimony is not considered equal to a man’s and women do not have full legal guardianship of their children. The father is required to sign all official documents.

Ethnic tensions exist between Arabs and Berbers, who were Algeria’s original inhabitants. In 1995, the government created the High Commission for Berber Affairs to protect and promote Berber language and culture.

As of 2004, the government’s human rights record remained poor. Abuses included torture and massacres of suspected Islamic militants.

29 Health

In 1990, Algeria had 284 hospitals with 60,124 beds. There were also 1,309 health centers, 510 polyclinics, and 475 maternity hospitals. In 2004, medical personnel included 84.6 doctors and 297.8 nurses for every 100,000 people.

Free medical care was introduced in 1974 under a Social Security system that reimburses 80% of private consultations and prescription drugs.

In 2005, the average life expectancy was 70 years for men and 73 years for women. Infant mortality was 31 per 1,000 live births.

Selected Social Indicators

The statistics below are the most recent estimates available as of 2006. For comparison purposes, data for the United States and averages for low-income countries and high-income countries are also given. About 15% of the world’s 6.5 billion people live in high-income countries, while 37% live in low-income countries.

Indicator	Algeria	Low-income countries	High-income countries	United States
sources: World Bank. World Development Indicators. Washington, D.C.: The World Bank, 2006; Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 2006; World Resources Institute, Washington, D.C.
Per capita gross national income (GNI)*	$6,320	$2,258	$31,009	$39,820
Population growth rate	1.8%	2%	0.8%	1.2%
People per square kilometer of land	14	80	30	32
Life expectancy in years: male	70	58	76	75
female	73	60	82	80
Number of physicians per 1,000 people	1.1	0.4	3.7	2.3
Number of pupils per teacher (primary school)	27	43	16	15
Literacy rate (15 years and older)	69.9%	65%	>95%	99%
Television sets per 1,000 people	114	84	735	938
Internet users per 1,000 people	26	28	538	630
Energy consumed per capita (kg of oil equivalent)	1,036	501	5,410	7,843
CO² emissions per capita (metric tons)	2.78	0.85	12.97	19.92
* The GNI is the total of all goods and services produced by the residents of a country in a year. The per capita GNI is calculated by dividing a country’s GNI by its population and adjusting for relative purchasing power.
n.a.: data not available >: greater than <: less than

The principal health problems have been tuberculosis, malaria, trachoma, and malnutrition. In 2000, malnutrition was present in an estimated 18% of all children under the age of five. In 2004, an estimated 9,100 people were living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

30 Housing

The need for adequate housing is a serious problem in Algeria. The government, predicting a need for almost two million new homes, launched programs in the late 1990s to support housing construction and home ownership. In 2003, the country still needed 1.5 million housing units. The average occupancy rate was at about 7.5 persons per household. About half of all housing units are individual houses.

31 Education

Education is compulsory for twelve years, with most students beginning at age six. The public schools are regulated jointly by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the study of Islam is a required part of the curriculum. Arabic is the official language, although French and Berber are also in widespread usage. Primary school enrollment in 2003 was estimated at 95% of age-eligible students. Secondary school enrollment that year was estimated at 67% of age-eligible students. The pupil-teacher ratio for primary school in 2005 was 27 to 1.

In 2006, there were over 50 universities and other institutes of higher learning. The University of Algiers (founded in 1909), its affiliated institutes, and other regional universities enroll between 260,000 and 280,000 students. The universities provide a varied program of instruction. Many technical colleges also are in operation. About 21% of the adult population were enrolled in tertiary programs in 2003. The adult literacy rate for the year 2004 was estimated at 69.9% (males, 79.5%; females, 60.1%).

32 Media

Radio and television remain under government control. President Bouteflika believes that the media should serve the state. Though there are independent newspapers, it is difficult for them to operate, since the government controls imports of paper and of equipment needed for printing.

In 2003, there were 69 mainline telephones and 46 mobile phones in use for every 1,000 people.

Algeria had Arabic and French broadcast networks with an estimated total of 25 radio stations and 46 television stations. Satellite dish antennas are widespread. As of 2003, there were about 244 radios and 114 television sets for every 1,000 people. The same year, there were 7.7 personal computers in use for every 1,000 people and 16 of every 1,000 people had access to the Internet; by 2006, Internet access had grown to 26 of every 1,000 people.

As of 2004, there were about 43 publications. The largest newspapers in 2004 included El-Khabar (circulation 530,000), Quotidien d’Oran (195,000), and Liberte (120,000).

Though the constitution ensures freedom of speech and press, a 1990 law restricts such speech in the name of national and domestic security. The government has broad powers to restrict information.

33 Tourism and Recreation

Among popular tourist attractions are the Casbah and Court of the Great Mosque in Algiers, as well as the excellent Mediterranean beaches, Atlas Mountains resorts, and tours of the Sahara Desert. The government has encouraged tourism as an increasingly important source of income. In 2003, there were 1,166,287 visitor arrivals, with the vast majority from France and Tunisia.

The most popular Algerian sport is soccer, which is played throughout the country by professionals and amateurs alike. Tennis is widely played as well.

34 Famous Algerians

The most famous Algerian of ancient times was Saint Augustine (Aurelius Augustinus, ad 354– 430), a Christian priest and theologian who was born in eastern Numidia. Abd al-Qader (1807–1883) was an Algerian political leader and marabout (a person thought to have supernatural powers) who led the Muslim resistance against French imperialism in central and western Algeria during the second quarter of the nineteenth century. Other important nationalist leaders include Messali Hadj (c.1898–1974), who organized several political movements, and Ferhat Abbas (1900–1986), who led the first provisional government and was elected first speaker of the National Assembly in 1962. Ahmed Ben Bella (b. 1916) was the first premier of independent Algeria.

The renowned French Algerian novelist, playwright, and essayist Albert Camus (1913– 1960) won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1957. Frantz Fanon (b. Martinique, 1925–1961), a psychiatrist, writer, and revolutionary, was a leading critic of colonialism.