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Modern states /
Algeria
The Algerian republic
Arabic:
'al-jumhūriyyatu l-jazā'iriyya
Play national anthem
Search 'Algeria'
MAJOR CITIES
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Algiers 1.7 million
Oran 800,000
Constantine 530,000
Annaba 390,000
Batna 270,000
Blida 260,000
Setif 230,000
Ech Cheliff 200,000
Sidi Bel Abbes 200,000
Biskra 190,000
Tlemcen 180,000
Bejaļa 170,000
Djelfa 170,000
Skikda 170,000
Tebessa 170,000
Tiaret 160,000
Bechar 150,000
Mostagenem 150,000
Ouargla 140,000
Bordj Bou Arreridj 140,000
Touggourt 140,000
Guelma 130,000
Medea 130,000
Ghardaļa 120,000
Laghouat 120,000
Saļda 115,000
Bou-Saada 110,000
Jijel 110,000
Khenchela 110,000
El Oued 110,000
Relizane 110,000
Aļn Beļda 100,000
M'sila 100,000
| IMPORTANT TOWNS
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Mascara 90,000
Maghnia 85,000
Tizi Ouzou 85,000
Boufarik 75,000
Bouļra 75,000
Cherchell 60,000
Tamanrasset 60,000
Tenes 45,000
Miliana 40,000
In Salah 35,000
Tindouf 20,000
El-Golea 15,000*
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All figures are 2005 estimates.
*) 2006 estimates.
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STATUS
| Independent republic, divided into 48 provinces (wilaya(t)). Certain mountainous regions are under the control of Islamist rebels, and many areas in the south are close to autonomous with little control from the national government.
National Days:
Independence Day, July 5, 1962.
Revolution Day, November 1, 1954.
| GOVERNMENT
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Head of state: President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Prime minister: Abdelaziz Belkhadem (since May 25, 2006).
The government consists of 31 ministers, plus 9 delegated ministers.
National Assembly: 380 members
| GEOGRAPHY
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Inhabitants: 33 million (2003 estimate).
Population growth rate: 1.7%
Total area: 2,381,740 km²
Density: 14 per km²
Border: 6,643 km (Morocco 1,559 km, Western Sahara 42 km, Mauritania 463 km, Mali 1,376 km, Niger 956 km, algeria 982 km, Tunisia 965 km).
Coastline: 998 km
Highest point: Tahat 3,003 m
Arable land: 3.2%
Capital: Algiers
| HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX
| World rank (of 177): 102
Index (1.0 max): 0.728
Explanation
| DEMOGRAPHY
| Languages: Arabic (official), Berber, French.
Religions: Sunni Islam, Ibadi Islam.
| ECONOMY
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Currency: Dinar=100 centimes (DZD)
100 dinars=US$1.67. US$1=60 dinar (Sep. 2008)
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Climate and Geography
Algeria's north is fairly fertile with agricultural land between forested mountains. There are two mountain ranges dominating this region, Atlas and Kabylia.
The desert starts quickly after one leaves the coastal area, at first only as rocky desert, but soon there are large sandy areas. Desert dominates large parts of Algeria's vast territory, and Algeria is among the countries filling most of the world's largest desert, Sahara. There are some settlements all over the desert region. In the south of Algeria the large massif Hoggar is found.
Algeria has been through a troublesome decade, involving civil unrest, terrorism against the population from both the government and from militant Islamists. This has strongly effected the economy and, today, living conditions are not as good as they were in the early 1990's.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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