Check out some interesting and fun facts about Algeria.

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Facts About Algeria

The eleventh largest country in the world, Algeria is an African country that shares its northeast border with Tunisia, southeast with Niger and southwest with Western Sahara, Mauritania and Mali. The country is sandwiched between Morocco in the west and Libya in the east. Since it shares its boundary with the Mediterranean Sea in the north, Algeria is the largest country along this sea. About 80% of the land is covered by the Sahara Desert, high plateaus, steppes, wasteland and mountains. Hence, Algeria has a narrow, discontinuous fertile coastal plain along the Mediterranean. Though tourism is still rare in Algeria, the country is considered to be one of the most exotic destinations on earth. Scroll through the lines below to know some more interesting and fun facts about Algeria.
Image: By Yelles (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
 
Interesting & Fun Facts About Algeria 
  • Algeria is officially known as the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.
  • It is the second largest African country, second to Sudan.
  • Algeria is spread across 2,400,000 sq. km with an estimated population of around 35.7 million.
  • Algeria gained its independence from the French on July 5th, 1962.
  • Algiers is the capital of Algeria.
  • Algerian Dinar is the currency of Algeria.
  • Arab-Berbers constitute the major ethnic group of Algeria, with a minor population of Europeans.
  • French and Arabic are the official languages of Algeria. Arabic also serves as the national language along with Berber dialects of Tamazight and Amazigh.
  • Most of the Algerian population consists of Sunni Muslims, followed by Christians and Jews.
  • Only 12% of the total land is inhabited. More than 90% of the population lives along the Mediterranean coastlands.
  • The major cities of Algeria include Algiers, Oran, Constantine, Tizi Ouzou and Annaba.
  • The legal system of Algeria is based on French and Islamic law.
  • Interestingly, Algeria has the highest cost of living in North Africa.
  • The highest peak in Algeria is the Mount Tahat at 3,000 meters, located in the Ahaggar Mountains.
  • Algeria experiences very hot temperatures, especially in the desert region. Even the days in the winters are hot and humid. However, the temperatures dip after sunset when the dry air clears off the heat. The nights can range from cool to chilly. The maximum recorded temperature is 50.6 °C (123.1 °F) at In Salah.
  • The countryside ruins at Djemila, Tipasa and Timgad are some of the most fascinating attractions to view in Algeria.
  • The historical city of Tlemcen, Grand Mosque, Almohad ramparts and Masourah Fortress are some worthwhile destinations to visit in this North African country.
  • Algeria has been accredited with the biggest oat market in Africa.
  • Couscous is the national dish of Algeria.
  • Algeria has been ruled by the Romans, Germanic Vandal tribes, Byzantines, Spanish, Turkish and French in the ancient times.
  • Algeria is home to the eighth largest natural gas reserve in the world and is the fourth largest gas exporter.
  • The most popular sports played in Algeria are athletics, handball and football (soccer).
  • Algeria is a major exporter of figs, dates, esparto grass and cork.

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