People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria

 

Quick Facts

• Continental region –  Northern Africa
• Currency symbol of Algeria – Dinar (DA ج. د)
• Capital City – Algiers
• Official languages – The official language of Algeria is Arabic, as specified in its constitution since 1963, Berber has been recognized as a national language by constitutional amendment since May 8, 2002.
• Population – 44,040,893 (2020)
• Country dialling code  –  (+ 213)
• Official website –  People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
• Top 3 biggest industries  – Oil, gas and agriculture
• Google Maps link – Algeria
• Where is it? – Algeria is located in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It is located in the Northern Hemisphere.

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Algeria In Pictures

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Algerian History

• How did the country get its first name? – Algeria was called Jazayer beni Mezghana (for short Aljazayer) meaning Islands of Beni Mezghana. Jazayer meaning= Islands. Beni Mezghana meaning = Berbere tribe.
• How did the country get its current name? Algeria is named for the city of Algiers which was the city chosen by the French as its capital when they colonized it in 1830. The city name in Arabic translates literally as “the islands” and is a reference to four islands formerly off the coast that have been joined to the mainland since 1525.
• When and by whom the country was first discovered? – The region was conquered by the Muslims in the early 8th century AD, but broke off from the Umayyad Caliphate after the Berber Revolt of 740. Later, various Berbers, Arabs, Persian Muslim states, Sunni, Shia or Ibadi communities were established that ruled parts of modern-day of Algeria. The border of modern Algeria were created by the French, whose colonization began in 1830.
• Who were the first Inhabitants? – The Berbers were native people of North Africa, were the nation’s first inhabitants and lived at peace until the 5th century B.C., when Algeria first experienced foreign influence. Islamic expansions during the 8th and 11th centuries were highly influential, as the new religion and Arabic language were brought to the region.
• When it was first recognized as a country? – The referendum was held in Algeria on 1 July 1962, and France declared Algeria independent on 3 July. On 8 September 1963, a constitution was adopted by referendum, and later that month, Ahmed Ben Bella was formally elected the first president, after receiving support from the military, led by Houari Boumediène.
• Who was the first leader of the country? – The creation of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria was formally proclaimed on September 25, 1962. The following day, after being named premier, Ahmed Ben Bella who was the first prime minister, formed a cabinet that linked the leadership of the three power bases-the army, the party, and the government.

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Five Significant Events 

1. 1830: France invades Algeria: Begins a 40 year conquest (https://www.brainyhistory.com/topics/a/algeria.html)   
2. 1962: Independence: Algeria admitted as 109th member of U.N. Algeria gains independence after 132 years of French rule. (https://www.brainyhistory.com/topics/a/algeria.html) 
3. 1954: War of Independence: November 1, 1954, the National Liberation Front launched attacks throughout Algeria in the opening salvo of a war of independence. https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/History/Algeria-history.htm) 
4. 1980: Earthquake strikes: 4,500 die when a pair of earthquakes strikes NW Algeria and Iraq (Saddam Hussein) signs accord with Algeria (https://www.brainyhistory.com/topics/a/algeria.html) 
5. 1954: Earthquake strikes Orleansville: Earthquake strikes Orleansville, Algeria in which 1400 people were killed (https://www.onthisday.com/countries/algeria)

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Five Places to Visit in Algeria

1. Atakor: the Atakor Plateau, situated in the Ahaggar National Park, the landscape is a red-brown dry landscaped dotted with harsh sheer peaks. (http://discoveralgeria.weebly.com/index.html) 
2. The Tassili N Ajjer: Located northeast of Atakor the tassili Ajjers (plateau rivers, Tamahaq) is a sandstone plateau of 350,000 km2 of sand that emerges from Algeria to Libya.(https://www.algeria.com/attractions/national-parks/tassili-najjer-national-park/ )
3. Great Kabylie: Located north to the sea, and east, the high wooded hills of Kabylia maritime N 5, which culminates at Mount Tamgout (1278 m), and Akfadou, which marks the beginning of the Petite Kabylie. (https://www.britannica.com/place/Great-Kabylie)
4. Hoggar: Hoggar this chaotic landscape consisting of peaks, towers, domes, spiers, pyramids, basalt, lava flows frozen in their movement, … whose colours range from bright yellow to purple black. (https://www.algeria.com/attractions/national-parks/ahaggar-national-park/)
5. Oran: Oran is the birthplace of folk music Rai and is a magnificent old city having numerous ancient cultural traditions. (https://www.touristlink.com/algeria/oran/overview.html)

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References: 

• https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/Algeria
• https://whynameitthat.blogspot.com/2013/01/algiers-and-algeria.html
• https://www.prayercast.com/algeria.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Algeria
• https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/History/Algeria-history.html