22 Facts About Algeria

Geography & Nature

1. Algeria is a North African country in the Maghreb, with a long Mediterranean coastline to the north and the Sahara Desert to the south. It borders Morocco, Western Sahara (disputed), Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Tunisia, Libya, and has a short northeastern frontier near Morocco/Western Sahara tripoints.

2. Its total land area is about 2,381,741 km², making it the largest country in Africa by area. 

3. The country’s landscapes range from Mediterranean coast and fertile Tell Atlas plains in the north to high plateaus and the Sahara Desert in the south. 

4. Mount Tahat (Hoggar Mountains) is Algeria’s highest peak (commonly cited around 2,908–3,003 m depending on the source). 

5. The Chelif (Chélif) River is Algeria’s longest river, roughly ~700–725 km long. 

History & Politics

1. The modern state is officially the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. Algiers (Alger) is the capital and largest city.

2. Algeria achieved independence from France in 1962 after a long liberation struggle; the national flag (current design) was raised on 3 July 1962. 

3. The region has a long history — Numidian kingdoms, Roman rule, Islamic caliphates, Ottoman influence, and then French colonization — making Algeria a crossroads of Mediterranean and Saharan histories. 

Culture & Society

1. The people call their country Shq (algerian Arabic/Tamazight names vary) and the country’s cultural identity blends Arab, Berber (Tamazight), and Mediterranean influences. In 2016 Tamazight (Berber) was recognized as an official language alongside Arabic. 

2. Algeria’s longstanding national animal and emblematic figure is the fennec fox, and the national football team is nicknamed “Les Fennecs.”

3. Arabic and Tamazight (Berber) are official languages; French remains widely used in business, media, and higher education though it is not an official language. 

4. Algerian cuisine includes couscous, stews, dates, citrus and olive-based dishes; dates are a notable product from southern oases. Hospitality and family ties are culturally central. 

Economy & Infrastructure

1. Hydrocarbons (petroleum and natural gas) dominate Algeria’s export earnings and government revenues — energy is the backbone of the formal economy.

2. Algeria is endowed with mineral and energy resources (oil, natural gas, bauxite, iron ore, phosphate potential, and hydropower sites). 

3. Road, rail, and airport infrastructure have improved but remain uneven across the large country; Algeria has several international airports (Algiers the main hub) and an evolving road/rail network.

Nature & Wildlife

1. Algeria’s emblematic desert species include the fennec fox; the country also hosts Saharan biodiversity and Mediterranean forests in the north. 

2. The Tassili n’Ajjer plateau (Southeast Algeria) contains one of the world’s richest collections of prehistoric rock art and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The rock art includes striking anthropomorphic and animal figures — sensationalist claims like “aliens on the rocks” are modern, speculative interpretations and not scientific descriptions. 

Symbols & Facts

1. Official name: People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. 

2. Capital & largest city: Algiers. 

3. Area: ~2,381,741 km² (largest in Africa). 

4. Official languages: Arabic and Tamazight (Berber). French is widely used but not official. 

5. Currency: Algerian dinar (DZD). 

6. National animal / football nickname: Fennec fox / “Les Fennecs.” 

7. Flag adopted: 3 July 1962.