Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria

Capital: Algiers
Currency: 1 Algerian dinar (DA) = 100 centimes
Independece: July 5th, 1962 (from France)

NATURAL FEATURES

Bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia. The climate is arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer.

PEOPLE

The ethnic groups include 99% Arab-Berber and less than 1% European. They speak Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects.

GOVERNMENT

Form of Government: Republic.
Voting Qualification: Age 18.
Political Divisions: 48 provinces (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen

ECONOMY

Algeria has the fifth-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the second largest gas exporter; it ranks fourteenth for oil reserves. Hydrocarbons sector accounts for about 52% of budget revenues, 95% of export earnings, and over 25% of gross domestic product.

TRANSPORTATION

Railways  total:4,820 km (301 km electrified; 215 km double track); Highways  total:104,000 km; Pipelines  crude oil 6,612 km; petroleum products 298 km; natural gas 2,948 km ; Ports and harbors  Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Beni Saf, Dellys, Djendjene, Ghazaouet, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda, Tenes; Airports  137 (1999 est.)

REFERENCES

Dictionary, Encyclopedia, World Facts