AlgeriaAlgeria is a N. African country bordered by the Mediterranean ocean in the north and several African countries- Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Libya and Tunisia. It has the second largest land area in Africa, second to Sudan, an spanning almost 2.4 million-square kilometers. The country's population is almost 34 million, most of whom are ethnically of Berber origin, are Sunni Muslim and speak Arabic.
Algeria has a long known history dating back over 10, 000BC when the Berbers inhabited the area. Several popular empires have also occupied the area; the Carthaginian, the Roman, the Byzantine and the Ottoman empires. The French invaded Algeria in 1830 and violently, killing a third of the population, brought the country under colonization. Parts of Algeria were regarded as parts of France (departments) and an elite minority -people of European descent and Jews who emigrated there- were considered French citizens. However, the indigenous populations, mostly Muslim, were poor and oppressed. Several uprisings in the 1950's and early 1960's led to Algeria's independence in 1962. The independence struggles led to killings of thousands of elite, pied-noirs, and their massive emigration to France.
Since independence, Algeria has suffered from multiple periods of political unrest, military rule and even ethnic/religious violence.
Here is a timeline of significant events
1963- Ahmed Ben Bella elected president
1965- Houari Boumedienne, defense minister, overthrows president
1970's- Boumedienne establishes authoritarian government and socialist ideals, approves new constitution establishing a one-party state and Islam as official religion
1978- Chadli Bendjedid becomes president after death of Boumedienne.
1980's- Rapid urbanization and improved education, but increased unemployment and corruption.
1989- Ban on political parties removed, Islamic Salvation Front and several other political parties formed.
1991- Islamic Salvation Front wins first round of elections.
1992- Military take-over under Mohamed Boudiaf, who is assassinated later that yr. Civil war ensues with Islamic militants attacks on military and civilians caught.
1995- Liamine Zeoual wins elections
1999- Zeoual holds early elections and Abdelaziz Bouteflika is elected president. Civil war still continues
2001- Berber protests, government concessions include recognizing Berber language, Tamazight, as national language
2004- Re-election of President Bouteflika
2005- date- Amnesty and Immunity agreements, continued sporadic militant terrorist attacks.
2008- Constitutional amendment to abolish 2-term (5 years/term) limit on presidency
Literacy rate is about 70% and life expectancy almost 74
Algeria has a long known history dating back over 10, 000BC when the Berbers inhabited the area. Several popular empires have also occupied the area; the Carthaginian, the Roman, the Byzantine and the Ottoman empires. The French invaded Algeria in 1830 and violently, killing a third of the population, brought the country under colonization. Parts of Algeria were regarded as parts of France (departments) and an elite minority -people of European descent and Jews who emigrated there- were considered French citizens. However, the indigenous populations, mostly Muslim, were poor and oppressed. Several uprisings in the 1950's and early 1960's led to Algeria's independence in 1962. The independence struggles led to killings of thousands of elite, pied-noirs, and their massive emigration to France.
Since independence, Algeria has suffered from multiple periods of political unrest, military rule and even ethnic/religious violence.
Here is a timeline of significant events
1963- Ahmed Ben Bella elected president
1965- Houari Boumedienne, defense minister, overthrows president
1970's- Boumedienne establishes authoritarian government and socialist ideals, approves new constitution establishing a one-party state and Islam as official religion
1978- Chadli Bendjedid becomes president after death of Boumedienne.
1980's- Rapid urbanization and improved education, but increased unemployment and corruption.
1989- Ban on political parties removed, Islamic Salvation Front and several other political parties formed.
1991- Islamic Salvation Front wins first round of elections.
1992- Military take-over under Mohamed Boudiaf, who is assassinated later that yr. Civil war ensues with Islamic militants attacks on military and civilians caught.
1995- Liamine Zeoual wins elections
1999- Zeoual holds early elections and Abdelaziz Bouteflika is elected president. Civil war still continues
2001- Berber protests, government concessions include recognizing Berber language, Tamazight, as national language
2004- Re-election of President Bouteflika
2005- date- Amnesty and Immunity agreements, continued sporadic militant terrorist attacks.
2008- Constitutional amendment to abolish 2-term (5 years/term) limit on presidency
Other facts:
Official language- Arabic; Other National language- Tamazight; Other common language- FrenchLiteracy rate is about 70% and life expectancy almost 74
Constantine, Annaba
Currency- Dinar (DZD)
Internet TLD- .dz
Major export- Oil
Helpful Links
BBC profile
CIA World Factbook page
Wikipedia page
Algerian Embassy page
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