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People of Algeria
Algeria is mainly made up of Arab-Berber, who are Sunni Muslims and constitute 99% of the population. The Europeans, who before independence accounted for 10% of the total, now are only 1% of the
population. Arabic and Tamazight, a Berber language, are official languages, while French is also widely spoken. About a quarter of Algeria's workforce are farmers, producing cereals, wine, citrus fruits, and cork. Mining and manufacturing, developed since the 1960s, contribute the bulk of the national income.
Culture of Algeria
French tradition formerly dominated the cultural life of Algeria. Although the French suppressed much Algerian writing during the 1950s, the war for independence stimulated a considerable resurgence of interest in the Arabic-language national literature. Even before independence, however, there was a growing movement among Algerian artists and intellectuals to revive national interest in Arab-Berber origins, a movement that, since 1962, has gained official support. Noted 20th-century Algerian writers (who wrote in French) are Kateb Yacine, Mohammad Dib, and Malek Haddad. The French novelist Albert Camus was born and educated in Algeria.
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Flag of Algeria
The flag of the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria constitutes of a green and white rectangle embossed by a red star and a red crescent.
Please click here to view the Flag of Algeria
Economy of Algeria
Algeria figures as one of Africa's wealthiest nations. The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the fifth-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the second-largest gas exporter; it ranks 14th in oil reserves. Agriculture also plays a strong role in the economy, but because of low productivity, foodstuffs have to be imported. The principal food crops include grains, vegetables, and fruits. Sheep and cattle are the principal livestock, and fishing also plays an important role. Algeria's financial and economic indicators improved during the mid-1990s, in part because of policy reforms supported by the IMF and debt rescheduling from the Paris Club. Algeria's finances in 2000-03 benefited from substantial trade surpluses, record foreign exchange reserves, and reductions in foreign debt.
Real GDP has risen due to higher oil output and increased government spending.
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