AlgeriaAlgeria

By Nick and KadeeBy Nick and Kadee

The LandThe Land

• Location – in Northern Africa, borders the Mediterranean Sea, Location – in Northern Africa, borders the Mediterranean Sea, between between

Morocco and Tunisia.Morocco and Tunisia.

• Landforms - Mostly high plateau and the Sahara Desert, including Landforms - Mostly high plateau and the Sahara Desert, including

three large sand seas.three large sand seas.

• There is a hilly and narrow coastal plain along the Mediterranean There is a hilly and narrow coastal plain along the Mediterranean Sea with a few minor (small) rivers. Sea with a few minor (small) rivers.

Natural ResourcesNatural Resources

• OilOil

• GasGas

• Refined ProductsRefined Products

• Petroleum GasPetroleum Gas

Climate and VegetationClimate and Vegetation

• Northern Algeria is in the temperate zone and enjoys a mild, Mediterranean climate.Northern Algeria is in the temperate zone and enjoys a mild, Mediterranean climate.

• The coastal region has a pleasant climate, with winter temperatures averaging from The coastal region has a pleasant climate, with winter temperatures averaging from 50° to 54°F and average summer temperatures ranging from 75° to 79°F. 50° to 54°F and average summer temperatures ranging from 75° to 79°F.

• The rainfall is low at about 15 to 27 inches per year.The rainfall is low at about 15 to 27 inches per year.

• Farther inland, the climate changes; winters average 39° to 43°F, with considerable Farther inland, the climate changes; winters average 39° to 43°F, with considerable frost and occasional snow on the massifs; summers average 79° to 82°F. frost and occasional snow on the massifs; summers average 79° to 82°F.

• Some of the animals native to Algeria are lions, sheep, boar, cheetah, mongoose, Some of the animals native to Algeria are lions, sheep, boar, cheetah, mongoose, hyena, and many others.hyena, and many others.

GovernmentGovernment

• Political LeadersPolitical Leaders– Abdelaziz Bouteflika is the current president of Algeria. Abdelaziz Bouteflika is the current president of Algeria.

• Type of GovernmentType of Government– Republic - a representative democracy in which the people's elected deputies Republic - a representative democracy in which the people's elected deputies

(representatives), not the people themselves, vote on legislation.(representatives), not the people themselves, vote on legislation.

• Life expectancy Life expectancy – 68 years of age. 68 years of age.

• PopulationPopulation– 33,769,66833,769,668

History and Current EventsHistory and Current Events

• Algeria had signed several agreements with tobacco giant like Algeria had signed several agreements with tobacco giant like Phillip Morris and Greek tobacco companies to build plants to Phillip Morris and Greek tobacco companies to build plants to manufacture cigarettes and grow the crop itself in Algeria for the manufacture cigarettes and grow the crop itself in Algeria for the Algerian market .Algerian market .

• The first such pirate establishes himself on the coast of Algeria in 1512. Two others are The first such pirate establishes himself on the coast of Algeria in 1512. Two others are firmly based in Libya by 1551. Tunisia is briefly taken in 1534 by the most famous firmly based in Libya by 1551. Tunisia is briefly taken in 1534 by the most famous corsair of them all, Khair ed-Din (known to the Europeans as Barbarossa). Recovered corsair of them all, Khair ed-Din (known to the Europeans as Barbarossa). Recovered for Spain in 1535, Tunisia is finally brought under Ottoman control in 1574. for Spain in 1535, Tunisia is finally brought under Ottoman control in 1574. Piracy remains the chief purpose and main source of income of all these Turkish Piracy remains the chief purpose and main source of income of all these Turkish settlements along the Barbary coast. And the depredations of piracy, after three settlements along the Barbary coast. And the depredations of piracy, after three centuries, at last prompt French Intervention in Algeria. This, at any rate, is stated by centuries, at last prompt French Intervention in Algeria. This, at any rate, is stated by the French at the time to be the cause of their intervention. The reality is somewhat the French at the time to be the cause of their intervention. The reality is somewhat

less glorious.less glorious.

History continuedHistory continued

• The early leaders of Algerian nationalism see a solution in integration rather than The early leaders of Algerian nationalism see a solution in integration rather than separation. Muslim Algerians, they argue, should enjoy equal status with the settlers separation. Muslim Algerians, they argue, should enjoy equal status with the settlers as French citizens. Ferhat Abbas (a future president of an independent Algerian as French citizens. Ferhat Abbas (a future president of an independent Algerian

parliament) writes in 1931: 'Algeria is French soil and we are French Muslims.'parliament) writes in 1931: 'Algeria is French soil and we are French Muslims.'

EconomyEconomy

• Type of IndustryType of Industry– carpet mills, cement factories, chemical plants, automobile assembly carpet mills, cement factories, chemical plants, automobile assembly

plants, food-processing installations, oil refineries, soap factories, and plants, food-processing installations, oil refineries, soap factories, and textile plants. textile plants.

• Major ExportsMajor Exports– commodities: capital goods, food and beverages, consumer goods.commodities: capital goods, food and beverages, consumer goods.

• Literacy RateLiteracy Rate– age 15 and over can read and write age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 69.9% total population: 69.9% male: 79.6% male: 79.6% female: 60.1% (2002 est.) female: 60.1% (2002 est.)

CultureCulture

• Traditional ClothingTraditional Clothing– The Karakou is a typical traditional dress. The Blousa is a full length, strait cut The Karakou is a typical traditional dress. The Blousa is a full length, strait cut

dress made of lace. dress made of lace.

• Traditional FoodsTraditional Foods• 30,000 B.C., marked the beginning of wheat cultivation, 30,000 B.C., marked the beginning of wheat cultivation, smensmen (aged, cooked butter), and fruit (aged, cooked butter), and fruit

consumption, such as dates. The introduction of semolina wheat by the Carthaginians consumption, such as dates. The introduction of semolina wheat by the Carthaginians – Traditional Algerian cuisine, a colorful combination of Berber, Turkish, French, and Arab tastes, can Traditional Algerian cuisine, a colorful combination of Berber, Turkish, French, and Arab tastes, can

be either extremely mild or packed with flavorful seasonings. Ginger, saffron, onion, garlic, be either extremely mild or packed with flavorful seasonings. Ginger, saffron, onion, garlic, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, parsley, and mint are essential in any Algerian pantry.coriander, cumin, cinnamon, parsley, and mint are essential in any Algerian pantry.

– CouscousCouscous, the national dish, is often mistaken as a grain itself, rather than pasta. The pasta dough , the national dish, is often mistaken as a grain itself, rather than pasta. The pasta dough is a mixture of water and coarse, grainy semolina wheat particles. The dough is then crumbled is a mixture of water and coarse, grainy semolina wheat particles. The dough is then crumbled through a sieve to create tiny pellets. Algerians prefer lamb, chicken, or fish to be placed on a bed through a sieve to create tiny pellets. Algerians prefer lamb, chicken, or fish to be placed on a bed of warm couscous, along with cooked vegetables such as carrots, chickpeas, and tomatoes, and of warm couscous, along with cooked vegetables such as carrots, chickpeas, and tomatoes, and spicy stews. Couscous can also be used in desserts by adding a variety of ingredients, such as spicy stews. Couscous can also be used in desserts by adding a variety of ingredients, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, dates, and figs. cinnamon, nutmeg, dates, and figs.

• Language SpokenLanguage Spoken– Arabic, Berber and FrenchArabic, Berber and French

• Religion PracticedReligion Practiced– Islam and Orthodox though Islam is preferred more.Islam and Orthodox though Islam is preferred more.

work cited.work cited.

• http://http://www.yemen-explorers.com/algeriatours.htmhttp://http://www.yemen-explorers.com/algeriatours.htm

• atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/islam/countries/bl_AlgeriaIndex.htm atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/islam/countries/bl_AlgeriaIndex.htm

• www.google.comwww.google.com