Algeria
The Country of the Week
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Algiers
- Population
- 47,735,685 (2025 est.)
- Area
- 2,381,740 sq km
- Government
- presidential republic
- Religions
- Muslim (official; predominantly Sunni) 99%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Ahmadi Muslim, Shia Muslim, Ibadi Muslim) <1% (2012 est.)
- Ethnic Groups
- Arab-Amazigh 99%, European less than 1%
- Currency
- Algerian dinars (DZD)
- Life Expectancy
- 77.9 years (2024 est.)
- Internet Domain
- .dz
- Climate
- 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
- Terrain
- mostly high plateau and desert; Atlas Mountains in the far north and Hoggar Mountains in the south; narrow, discontinuous coastal plain
- Natural Resources
- petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc
- Major Exports
- natural gas, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, fertilizers, iron bars (2023)
Source: CIA World Factbook (public domain)
Overview
Algeria has known many empires and dynasties, including the ancient Numidians (3rd century B.C.), Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, over a dozen different Arab and Amazigh dynasties, Spaniards, and Ottoman Turks.