ALGIERS

ALGIERS -- CAPITAL 
AND MOST IMPORTANT PORT

GEOGRAPHY

Algeria, the largest of the Arab country in North Africa. Two-third is covered by the Sahara Desert which influences the climate greatly and it is therefore a hot, dry climate.

In the north it has a coastline along the Mediterranean. On the east it borders on Tunisia and Libya. On the west on Mauritania. On the south it borders on Niger.

ORA

CONSTANTINE

ANNABA

Along the Mediterranean is a strip of fertile land called the "Tell". The Tell is where 90 per cent of the population lives mainly in the four major cities -- Algiers, Oran, Constantine and Annaba. Between the Tell and the Sahara Desert are the Atlas and Aures Mountain ranges. Behind that the Sahara Desert starts. The sand moves continuously forming unstable sand dunes. They can reach up to a height of 250m.

AURAS MOUNTAINS

Algiers's climate has a staggering 43oC during the day and at night 10oC in the desert. However, in the rest of the country it is between 12oC and 34oC all depends on the season.

Algiers’s wildlife has in the north jackals, wild boar, hyenas and gazelle, In the Sahara desert are horned vipers, scorpions and camels.

The Qued Ablod gorge cuts through the Aures Mountains. It is a lifeline for several smaller communities. Behind that fertile strip there is hardly a place to be found for drinkable water.

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GRAND POST OFFICE

ECONOMY

Algerians farmers live on small farms along the coast. They mainly grow wheat. The steamed grains are used for making their favourite dish -- couscous. Other crops are vines, olives and dates. Algeria is the third-largest date producer in the world. On the drier pastures they herd goats, sheep and cattle.

Algeria's most important export is oil and gas. It was discovered in 1958. It counts 90 per cent of Algeria's export. The majority of the wells are deep in the Eastern Sahara. The oil and gas is piped through to the ports of Algiers, Oran and Annaba. The country also has mineral deposits such as iron ore, lead, zinc and mercury which are also exported.

The port of the capital Algiers is very busy. The port was built on the hills overlooking the harbour.  It exists since Roman times and had been used ever since.

El Qued is an oasis and it is a fertile piece land in the desert where fruit and wheat are grown. Dwellers of oasis and nomads gather in the El Qued market to trade their produce such hand-woven baskets and home grown dates. 

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       THE TUAREQONCE CONTROLLED ONCE CENTRAL SAHARA DESERT AND ITS TRADE.

ROMAN ARCH OF AT THAMUGADE

BARBARROSA HYDREDDIN PASHA

HISTORY

Algiers was always attacked by powerful invaders through the small coastal strip. In 1200 BC the Phoenicians invaded Algiers but found that settlements of Berber were already there.

In 800 BC the Carthaginians invaded the country and after that the Romans, Vandals and Byzantines.

During the 7th century the Muslim religion was introduced through an Arab invasion.

During the 16th century Algiers was invade by the Ottoman Empire and was part of Turkey till the 19th century. During this time the port of Algiers was used as a safe haven for the dreaded Barbary pirates who were feared in the whole of the Mediterranean. They kept it in their power for three century.

In 1830 the French attacked them with military force and by 1902 they had Algeria under their control.

In 1954 the Algerian National liberation Front started a fight for freedom. It lasted long and one million people died.

MONUMENT OF THE MARTYRERS TO COMMEMORATE THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE

In 1962 Algeria achieved its independence and many French people left but even today you can see a strong influence on their way of life.

Even today, Algeria has great political problems. In January 1992 the military took control just as the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) would have won the general election and imprisoned the leaders. Ever since an undeclared civil war is going and thousands have been killed.

MOUNTAIN  OF  CHREA  NEAR  THE  CITY  OF  BLIDA