Interesting Facts about Algeria

1. Algeria is the 11th largest country in the world and the 2nd largest in Africa.2. Arabic is the official language of the country spoken by 80% of the population. They also speak

French.3. The legal system in Algeria is based on French and Islamic law.4. 80%-90% of Algeria is Sahara desert. And they have the biggest sand dunes.5. Algeria is considered the country with the highest cost of living in North Africa.6. The first Algerian president is Ahmed Ben Bella who was elected in 1963 and served for only 2

years.7. The couscous is the Algerian national dish.8. The highest weather temperature that was ever recorded in Algeria is 60.5 celsius.9. The national day in Algeria is on November 1st. It's also called "Revolution Day".10. The currency of Algeria is the Algerian Dinar.11. Albert Camus, the Nobel Prize winner and world-renowned French writer, was born in Algeria in

1913. His family was called pied-noir, a term used to describe French people living in Algeria during the colonial years.

12. Alcoholic drinks are seldom found in Algeria, largely because of the country’s Islamic orientation. In fact, alcoholic drinks are not sold at all in many of the food establishments – and even if they are available, they are often not listed on the menu.

13. Petroleum and gas make up 98% of Algeria’s exports.14. Algeria became the largest country in Africa and the tenth largest in the world in 201115. Of the total land area of Algeria, only 12% is inhabited16. In 2007, Algiers, the country’s capital, had the highest cost of living in North Africa. Worldwide,

it ranked 50th.17. It can be really, really hot in Algeria. The official hottest temperature ever recorded in the

country was 50.6 °C (123.1 °F), in the oasis town of In Salah.18. Unlike in other Islamic nations, women in Algeria have gained more prominent status in the

society. Women make up 60% of Algeria’s judges, 70% of the lawyers, and 60% of the student population. What’s more, they have a bigger household income contribution than men.

19. Algeria is the largest oat market in Africa.20. There are about 38 million people that live in Algeria. 21. With 2.4 million square miles, it’s the second largest country in Africa, behind Sudan22. More than 90% of the population lives along the Mediterranean coastal areas.23. The largest city and capital is Algiers with about 5 million people, followed by Oran, Constantine,

Setif, Annaba, Blida, Batna, Chlef, Tlemcen, and Sidi Bel Abbes.24. The official language is Arabic, other languages used include Berber and French.25. The currency used is the Algerian Dinar, DZD.26. For beverages you’ll find mint tea, coffee, fruit juice, and occasionally wine.27. There are about 2.4 million people that travel to or are visitors to Algeria each year.28. Industry: Petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining29. Agriculture: Wheat, barley, oats, grapes; sheep30. Exports: Petroleum, natural gas, petroleum products

31. Life Expectancy: 7032. GDP per Capita: U.S. $5,40033. Literacy Percent: 7034. Algeria is the biggest country in Africa, Arab world and even around the Mediterranean sea.35. The emblematic animal of Algeria is the Fennec, the national football team (soccer) is called “les

fennecs”36. Algeria has no exterior debt, it erased debts for 14 African countries last month and landed

money to the FMI.37. Since its independence in 1962 Algeria always stands by the side of people seeking for freedom. 38. In 1980, Algeria mediated the negotiations between the USA and Iran to liberate the American

hostages in Tehran which led to the signing of the Algiers Accords, just minutes after the new American president Ronald Reagan was sworn into office.

39. Algeria is called the country of cherry and dates (because it has various types of weather, a mild one in the north and a Saharan one in the south, Algerian dates by the way are the best on earth the quality “Deglet Nour” is well known to dates amateurs.

40. The national Park of Tassili in Tassili n'Ajjer also called "Plateau of the Rivers" is the biggest open sky museum, there are many drawings from the rehistoric rock art and other ancient archaeological sites, dating from the Neolithic era, there are even drawings referring to Aliens on the rocks (many UFOS was reported to be seen in the area)

41. The customs in Algeria are to welcome visitors by offering them Dates and Milk42. A fun custom in a west City (Capital of Raï music) ORAN is to push the car horns while crossing

the tunnel leading to the beach, it’s said that it brings good luck43. “La Touiza” is a big celebration in agricultural areas where people gather to volunteer support

and help one of them in need for harvesting, at the end of the day a big feast is prepared with huge amounts of couscous to reward the hard working of the day

44. The Agricultural products for Algeria are substances like wheat, grapes, and citrus.45. The land size of Algeria is huge! It is 2,381,740 square kilometers. making Algeria the 11th

largest country in the world.46. Fossil Fuels are the major export for the Algerian country.47. Their national holiday is called Revolution Day which lands on November 1st of each year.48. Larget city in Algeria is Algiers.49. Algeria is almost four times the size of Texas.50. Algeria is bordered on the west by Morocco and Western Sahara and on the east by Tunisia and

Libya.51. The Saharan region, which is 85% of the country, is almost completely uninhabited.52. THe highest point in Algeria is Mount Tahat in the Sahara, which rises 9,850 ft (3,000 m)53. Declared independence from France July 5, 196254. Algeria is the largest exporter of propane/butane in the world55. Algeria’s national day is on November 1st- Revolution Day56. The Algerian legal system is based on French and Islamic law57. Only 3% of the land is arable and it is located along the Mediterranian coast.58. Algiers is the largest city in Algeria, and is also the capital.59. Marriages in Algeria are traditionally arranged either by parents of the couple or by a

professional matchmaker.

60. The French took control of Algeria in the 19th century, but they have recently gained independence.

61. Most of Algeria’s population is located in the northern area of the country.62. The population is 80% Arabs and 20% Berbers.63. Algeria is the 11th largest country in the world.64. GDP per Capita $7, 500 (est. 2013)65. New Year’s Day – Jan. 1, Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet)66. Labor Day – May 1, Revolutionary Readjustment 67. June 19, Independence Day 68. Over a million Algerians were killed in the fight for independence from France in 1962.69. St Augustine of Hippo (354-430) was the most famous Algerian of all. Hippo is now Annaba70. Algeria has competed at every summer Olympics since 1964, winning five gold medals.71. They twice won each of the men’s and women’s 1500 metres. The other one was for boxing.72. The only people born in Algeria to have won Nobel Prizes were Albert Camus (Literature 1957)

and Claude Cohen-Tannoudji (Physics, 1997).73. Camus played as goalkeeper in the football team for the University of Algiers, which may

therefore be the world’s only university to have had a Nobel Prize-winning goalkeeper in its team.

74. In 2007, a court in Algeria had to rule on the ownership of a donkey which had eaten the money brought by a purchaser for its sale.

75. Then highest temperature ever recorded in Algeria was 51C (123.8F) in August 2011.76. A quarter of the country’s population live on less than £1 a day77. The highest temperature ever recorded the is 60.5C78. The National holiday, called Revolution Day, is on November 179. Algerian singer Cheb Mami sang with Sting on 1999 hit Desert Rose80. Arabic is the official language, although French is widely spoken81. Algerian philosopher Albert Camus played as a goalkeeper for his university team82. Algeria has the biggest oat market in Africa83. The Sahara Desert covers 80 per cent of the country. As Sahara is the Arabic for desert, it is

technically called the Desert Desert84. Algeria population growth rate: 1.92%85. Algeria highest point: Tahat 3,003 m86. Algeria lowest point: Chott Melrhir -40 m87. About 3% of Algeria's land is arable.88. Chéliff River is the Longest River in Algeria89. Algeria birth rate is 24 births/1,000 population90. Algeria infant mortality rate is 23 deaths/1,000 live births91. Algeria fertility rate is 2.78 children born/woman92. Algeria ethnic groups: Arab-Berber - 99% ; European - < 1%93. The Romans took control of Algeria in 200BC.94. The French invaded Algeria in 1830. The invasion was extremely violent and almost one third of

the Algerian population were killed. Algeria did not achieve independence from France until 1962.

95. Algeria has very hot days, even in winter. However, the nights can be very cold.

96. There are many ergs (sand dunes) in Algeria.97. All people over the age of 18 have the right to vote.98. The president is the commander-in-chief of the military.99. Fossils fuels are the major export of Algeria.

100. Algeria grows large amounts of olives, tobacco, wheat, barley, oats and citrus fruits.101. 70% of the population live in the northern coastal regions of the country.102. 30% of the population is under the age of 15.103. 70% of lawyers and 60% of judges are women. 60% of university students are women. In many

families, women are contributing more to the household income than men.104. Arabic, spoken by 80% of the population, is the national language of Algeria.105. Athletics, handball and football (soccer) are the most popular sports in Algeria.106. Arab-Berbers constitute the major ethnic group of Algeria, with a minor population of

Europeans.107. French and Arabic are the official languages of Algeria. Arabic also serves as the national

language along with Berber dialects of Tamazight and Amazigh.108. Most of the Algerian population consists of Sunni Muslims, followed by Christians and Jews.109. Only 12% of the total land is inhabited. More than 90% of the population lives along the

Mediterranean coastlands.110. The major cities of Algeria include Algiers, Oran, Constantine, Tizi Ouzou and Annaba.111. The legal system of Algeria is based on French and Islamic law.112. Interestingly, Algeria has the highest cost of living in North Africa.113. The highest peak in Algeria is the Mount Tahat at 3,000 meters, located in the Ahaggar

Mountains.114. Algeria experiences very hot temperatures, especially in the desert region. Even the days in the

winters are hot and humid. However, the temperatures dip after sunset when the dry air clears off the heat. The nights can range from cool to chilly. The maximum recorded temperature is 50.6 °C (123.1 °F) at In Salah.

115. The countryside ruins at Djemila, Tipasa and Timgad are some of the most fascinating attractions to view in Algeria.

116. The historical city of Tlemcen, Grand Mosque, Almohad ramparts and Masourah Fortress are some worthwhile destinations to visit in this North African country.

117. Algeria has been accredited with the biggest oat market in Africa.118. Couscous is the national dish of Algeria.119. Algeria has been ruled by the Romans, Germanic Vandal tribes, Byzantines, Spanish, Turkish and

French in the ancient times.120. Algeria is home to the eighth largest natural gas reserve in the world and is the fourth largest

gas exporter.121. The most popular sports played in Algeria are athletics, handball and football (soccer).122. Algeria is a major exporter of figs, dates, esparto grass and cork.123. Algeria is the second largest country in Africa124. Over 1 million Algerians died during the country's fight for independence from France which

they achieved in 1962125. Algeria is the largest exporter of propane/butane in the world126. The highest ever recorded temperature in Algeria was 60.5 degrees centigrade

127. The area used to be known as Numidia128. Constantine is twinned with Istanbul and Grenoble in France129. Out of 132 capital cities studied, Algiers is considered to be one of the least livable130. 80%-90% of Algeria is in the Sahara desert131. Oran the second largest city in Algeria comes from the Berber word Wahran which means 'Two

Lions' after sightings of the animals were seen in the area circa 900 BC132. Former French footballer and World Player of the Year, Zinedine Zidane has Algerian heritage133. Three languages are spoken. Arabic, French and Berber134. In the 1800's Algeria was notorious as a base for slave traders and pirates135. Algiers has the highest cost of living in North Africa136. Situated in the Ahaggar mountains, Mount Tahat is the country's highest peak at 3,003m137. The country is known for Bertolli's olive oil despite it having an Italian background138. Algeria's national day is on November 1st and is called Revolution Day139. Algeria is three times the size of Texas140. The biggest sand dunes are located in Algeria141. A sensible enemy is better than a narrow minded friend' is one of Algeria's proverbs142. The town of Chlef formerly Al-Asnam derives it's name from the country's longest river and is

considered to be one of the hottest urban area's in Algeria143. About 25% of the country's population lives off less than $2 per day144. Couscous is Algeria's national dish145. The Algerian legal system is based on French and Islamic law146. Algeria is the largest importer of agricultural goods in Africa