Algeria is a North African country with a Mediterranean coastline and a Saharan desert interior. Many empires have left legacies here, such as the ancient Roman ruins in seaside Tipaza. In the capital, Algiers, Ottoman landmarks like circa-1612 Ketchaoua Mosque line the hillside Casbah quarter, with its narrow alleys and stairways. The city’s Neo-Byzantine basilica Notre Dame d’Afrique dates to French colonial rule.
Major Languages: The official language of Algeria is Arabic, which is spoken by the majority of the population. French is also widely spoken in Algeria, particularly in business, government, and education. Many Algerians are fluent in both Arabic and French, and some also speak English as a third language. In addition to these main languages, there are also a number of regional languages and dialects spoken in Algeria, including Berber languages such as Kabyle, Tamazight, and Chawia.
Ethnic Groups: The majority of the population of Algeria is Arab-Berber, with smaller numbers of European and African ancestry. The Arab-Berber population is made up of a mix of Arab and Berber ethnicities, with the Berber people being the indigenous group of Algeria. There is also a small but significant community of Europeans, primarily of French descent, in Algeria. Finally, there are smaller populations of other African ethnicities, including the Tuareg and the Moors.
Belief Systems: Islam - Sunni (majority), Shia, Protestant Christianity, and Judaism
Demographics:
Population: 37.5 million people (World Rank: 36th) (2014 estimate)
Population Density:40.8 people/mi^2 (People per Square Mile) (World Rank: 211th) (2014 estimate)
Population Growth: 1.37 %/yr (World Rank: 90th) (2013 estimate)
Life Expectancy: 71 years (World Rank: 146th) (2013 estimate)
Median Age: 26 years (World Rank: 105th) (2010 estimate)
Sites for More Information:
Map of Algeria
Worldatlas.com
Current News About Algeria
AllAfrica.com
Algeria - Facts and Information
Encyclopedia.com
Traveling to Algeria
Africaguide.com
Algerian Embassy
in Washington D.C.
Algerian Government Web Sites
by Gunnar Anzinger. Note: most of the sites are in Arabic and French only.
