Algeria

circa 1000 BCE – Berber kingdoms flourish

146 BCE – Roman Empire annexes parts of North Africa

7th century CE – Arab-Muslim conquest; Islam spreads

1518 – Becomes part of the Ottoman Empire

1830 – French colonization begins

November 1, 1954 – Algerian War of Independence starts

July 5, 1962 – Independence from France (date of modern state formation)

1990s – Civil war between government and Islamist groups

2019 – Mass protests (Hirak Movement); President Bouteflika resigns

2020 – New constitution passed via referendum

Borders: Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Western Sahara, Morocco
Landscape: Sahara Desert (vast majority), Atlas Mountains, Mediterranean coastline
Major Rivers: Chelif, Seybouse
Notable Features: Tassili n’Ajjer, Ahaggar Mountains, Tell Atlas

Location: North Africa
Capital: Algiers
Language: Arabic, Tamazight (both official); French widely used
Currency: Algerian Dinar (DZD)
Population: ~45.5 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Central European Time (CET, UTC+1)

Ethnic Groups: Arab-Berber majority, minorities include Tuareg and Mozabites
Religion: Islam (Sunni – official religion)
Urban Population: ~75% (last updated: 2023)
Population Notes: Young population, urbanization increasing steadily (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Sahara landscapes, ancient rock art, rai music
Cuisine: Couscous, mechoui (roast lamb), chorba (soup), dates, mint tea
Arts: Traditional music, Arabesque architecture, mosaic art
Sports: Football (soccer), athletics, judo

Economy Type: State-influenced, reliant on hydrocarbons
GDP: Approx. $205 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Oil and gas, mining, agriculture, construction
Key Exports: Petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, dates
Unemployment Rate: ~11.6% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Coastal north more developed; southern desert sparsely populated

Government Type: Presidential republic
Head of State: President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (last updated: April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Nadir Larbaoui (last updated: April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral (People’s National Assembly & Council of the Nation)
Constitution: Current version adopted in 2020

Algiers: Casbah, Botanical Gardens, colonial architecture
Oran: Music capital, forts, Mediterranean views
Ghardaïa: M’zab Valley architecture and culture
Sahara: Djanet, Tamanrasset, camel trekking
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 7 (last updated: 2023)