Facts about Algeria |
|---|
Almost 80% of its area lies under the mighty Sahara Desert and hence, only 12 percent of country's land area is inhabited. Roughly 90% of the Algerians live near the Mediterranean coast.
The country has 48 provinces or wilayas.
France colonized Algeria in 1830 and more than a million Algerians had died in the fight for independence in 1962.
The North African country observes Independence Day on 5 July every year and Revolution Day on 1 November.
Arabic, Berber, and French are the most spoken languages in Algeria.
Algiers is the national capital and most populous city.
Algeria is a major exporter of natural gas to Europe; the country has the second largest oil reserves in Africa.
Algeria has the largest defense budget in the continent.
Standing at 3,003 meters, Mount Tahat – in the Ahaggar range – is the highest peak in Algeria.
The 430-mile-long Chelif River is the longest in Algeria.
Couscous is the national dish of Algeria and football (soccer) is the national sport.
The national currency is the Algerian Dinar.
The country has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
