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Algeria
AfricaNorthern Africa
2.38 Million km²
Quick Facts
Capital
Algiers
Area
2,381,741 km²
Language
Arabic & Berber (Tamazight)
Currency
Algerian Dinar (DZD)
Calling Code
+213
Drives On
Right
Internet
.dz
Timezone
CET (UTC+1)
Script
Arabic & Tifinagh
Government
Presidential Republic
Independence
1962
Map tiles by CARTO. Data by OpenStreetMap.
Algeria is the largest country in Africa, though you wouldn't guess it from its population map. Almost everyone lives along the narrow Mediterranean coast in the north, while the vast Sahara Desert swallows the remaining 80% of the territory in silence. It's a country of sharp contrasts - French colonial architecture next to Ottoman mosques, snowfall in the Atlas Mountains while the desert bakes below.
The Berber (Amazigh) culture here predates the Arab conquest by thousands of years and remains fiercely alive in the Kabylie mountains and the Saharan Tuareg communities. Algeria fought one of the 20th century's bloodiest independence wars to break from France in 1962, and that revolutionary spirit still colors the national character. The food is a blend of Berber, Arab, Ottoman, and French influences, the landscapes range from Mediterranean beaches to Saharan sand seas, and the Roman ruins at Timgad and Djemila rival anything in Italy.
Largest Cities in Algeria
1
Algiers
Capital perched on hills above the Mediterranean, its whitewashed Casbah is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
3,900,000
2
Oran
Second largest city and cultural capital of western Algeria, famous for rai music and a vibrant port atmosphere
900,000
3
Constantine
City of bridges built on a dramatic gorge, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world
450,000
4
Annaba
Coastal city near the Tunisian border, home to the ruins of Hippo Regius where Saint Augustine once lived
350,000
5
Setif
Highland city in eastern Algeria, near the spectacular Roman ruins of Djemila
320,000
6
Batna
Gateway to the Aures Mountains and the ancient Roman city of Timgad, built by Emperor Trajan in 100 CE
310,000
Famous People from Algeria
Albert Camus
LiteratureNobel Prize in Literature (1957) for novels including The Stranger and The Plague, born and raised in Algeria
Emir Abdelkader
Politics19th century resistance leader against French colonization, now revered as the founder of modern Algeria
Hassiba Boulmerka
SportWon Olympic gold in the 1,500 meters at Barcelona 1992, Algeria's first female Olympic champion
Assia Djebar
LiteratureOne of North Africa's most important writers, her novels explored Algerian women's lives across generations
Kateb Yacine
LiteratureAuthor of Nedjma, considered the foundational novel of modern Algerian literature
Rachid Taha
MusicBlended punk rock, electronic music, and North African rai, his cover of Rock El Casbah became a global hit
Noureddine Morceli
SportOlympic 1,500m gold medalist (1996) and three-time world champion who set seven world records in middle-distance running
Khaled
MusicKing of Rai music whose hit Didi sold millions worldwide, bringing Algerian rai to a global audience
Traditional Cuisine of Algeria
Couscous
Algeria's national dish of steamed semolina granules served with a stew of vegetables, meat, and chickpeas - a Friday family ritual
Chorba
Rich tomato-based soup with lamb, vermicelli, and fresh herbs, the traditional way to break fast during Ramadan
Chakhchoukha
Torn flatbread soaked in a spicy tomato and chickpea stew, a specialty of the eastern regions around Biskra
Mechoui
Whole lamb slow-roasted over coals until the meat falls off the bone, the centerpiece of celebrations and feasts
Bourek
Crispy pastry rolls filled with spiced meat, egg, and onion, fried until golden - an essential Ramadan appetizer
Makroudh
Semolina pastry stuffed with date paste and soaked in honey, the most beloved traditional sweet in Algeria
Merguez
Spicy lamb sausages seasoned with harissa, cumin, and fennel, grilled and served in bread or alongside couscous
Mint Tea
Strong green tea with fresh mint and generous sugar, served in small glasses as a symbol of hospitality across the country
Nature & Landmarks in Algeria
Sahara Desert
DesertThe world's largest hot desert covers over 80% of Algeria, from towering sand dunes to vast gravel plains and volcanic peaks
Tassili n'Ajjer
LandmarkUNESCO World Heritage plateau with over 15,000 prehistoric rock paintings dating back 6,000-10,000 years
Hoggar Mountains
MountainVolcanic mountain range in the deep Sahara rising to 2,908 meters at Mount Tahat, Algeria's highest peak
Djurdjura Mountains
MountainSnow-capped range in Kabylie reaching 2,308 meters, home to Barbary macaques and dense cedar forests
Mediterranean Coast
CoastOver 1,200 km of coastline with sandy beaches, rocky coves, and marine life rivaling anywhere in the Mediterranean
M'zab Valley
LandmarkUNESCO-listed cluster of five fortified towns built by the Mozabite Berbers in the 10th century, architecturally unchanged
Timgad
LandmarkRemarkably preserved Roman colonial city built by Emperor Trajan in 100 CE, often called the Pompeii of North Africa
Kabylie
MountainMountainous Berber heartland of lush valleys, olive groves, and traditional villages east of Algiers
Sports in Algeria
Football
Africa Cup of Nations champions (2019), the Desert Foxes have one of the most passionate fan bases in African football
Athletics
Produced Olympic champions in middle-distance running including Boulmerka, Morceli, and Taoufik Makhloufi
Boxing
Consistent Olympic and World Championship medal contender, particularly in lighter weight classes
Handball
Strong North African handball tradition with regular African Championship titles and World Championship appearances
Judo
Olympic and World Championship medal winners, judo is one of Algeria's most successful individual sports
Did You Know?
1
Algeria is the largest country in Africa by area, larger than France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and the UK combined
2
The Sahara Desert covers about 80% of Algeria's territory, yet over 90% of the population lives along the northern coastal strip
3
Tassili n'Ajjer contains rock art up to 10,000 years old depicting giraffes, elephants, and swimming humans in what is now barren desert
4
Algeria has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Roman ruins that rival anything found in Italy
5
The country fought an eight-year war for independence from France (1954-1962) that became a model for anti-colonial movements worldwide
6
Constantine is called the City of Bridges because it's built on a rocky plateau cut by a dramatic gorge, connected by bridges at dizzying heights
7
Algeria has the longest coastline of any African Mediterranean country at over 1,200 kilometers
8
The Fennec fox, Algeria's national animal and the football team's nickname, is the smallest fox in the world
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