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| Algeria | Plants and Animal | Back to Top |
Wheat and barley are Algeria's major grain crops, representing 65 % of all cultivated areas in 1987. In spite of the government's longstanding objective of boosting productivity, grain self-sufficiency dropped from 91 % at freedom to 18.5 % in 1990. The drop resulted from such factors as the rapidly multiplying population, erratic climatic conditions, agricultural mismanagement, and rural migration to urban centers. Grain production plunged 25 % between 1986 and 1990, but returned to a record level in 1991. The bulk of the production was in wheat and barley.
Other main crops include grapes, citrus fruits, vegetables, olives, tobacco, and dates. In the early, 1990s Algeria was the world's fifth largest producer of dates. About three-quarters of the annual average of 200,000 tons are consumed locally. In 1990 olive groves covered at least 160,000 hectares, but unsatisfactory levels of olive oil production caused the government in 1990 to initiate a 10 year program to rehabilitate an additional 100,000 hectares of groves and build 200 oilpressing plants.
| Algeria | Communications | Back to Top |
Telephone density in Algeria is very low, not exceeding five telephones per 100 persons; the number of fixed main lines has been increased in the last few years to a little more than 2,000,000. 5 submarine cables; microwave radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel.
| Algeria | Culture | Back to Top |
After generations of stepwise change under the French, the War of freedom struck Algerian society with destructive force, and victory introduced other major social changes. The determine of the war permeated the society in both nation and city and at the personal, familial, and local levels.
In response to the battle, individuals developed new perceptions of themselves, their abilities, and their roles through wartime activities. Women, accustomed to a sheltered and segregated life, found themselves suddenly thrust into revolutionary militancy. For many, the war offered the first opportunity for independent activity in the world beyond the home. Many young people struck out independently of their families and their elders, and new leaders emerged, chosen more for personal traits than for social position.
orthodox relations between generations also were overturned, and class differences were submerged. The young could adapt to the new ways, but the old were ill-equipped for change and so given much of their former prestige and authority. In addition, rural people became more interested in comfort and consumption, which began to replace the frugality that had characterized orthodox village life.
| Algeria | Defence | Back to Top |
The president is commander in chief of the military forces, which numbered 124,000 in 1999. The nucleus of the 107,000-troop army was provided by the liberation forces after Algerian freedom was secured. A 10,000-member air force is equipped with Soviet- and French-built jet planes and helicopters. About 7,000 people make up the naval forces.
| Algeria | International Disputes | Back to Top |
part of southeastern region claimed by Libya; Algeria supports exiled West Saharan Polisario Front and rejects Moroccan administration of Western Sahara.
| Algeria | Economy | Back to Top |
Algeria's economy is controlled by its export trade in oil and natural gas. Until 1962 the economy was largely rural-based and complementary to that of France. Since freedom, production of oil and particularly natural gas has come into its own, and industrialization has proceeded rapidly.
Algeria is one of the wealthiest nations of Africa, declining oil prices reduced the annual income per capita to $1,550 in 1999, down from $2,360 in 1988. Agriculture plays a declining but still valuable role in the Algerian economy, while mineral production accounts for the largest part of the gross domestic product. Since the late 1960s the government has instituted major industrialization programs. The around annual national budget in the early 1990s included $14.4 billion in revenues and $14.6 billion in expenditures. Gross domestic product, which measures the total value of goods and services produced, was $47.9 billion in 1999.
| Algeria | n> EducationBack to Top |
Primary education is free and compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 15. The French colonial education imposed on Algeria was designed primarily to meet the needs of the European population and to continue the European cultural pattern. A large majority of the students were children of the colonists. French was the language of instruction, and Arabic, when taught, was offered as an optional foreign language.
Isolated schooling of French and Algerian children was abolished in 1949, and increases in Muslim enrollments were scheduled in the comprehensive 1954 Constantine Plan to improve Muslim living conditions. On the eve of freedom, the European-oriented curricula were still taught exclusively in French, and less than 1/3 of school-age Muslim children were listed in schools at the primary level. At the secondary and university levels, only 31% and 11% of the students, respectively, were Algerians.
At the beginning of the 1963 school year, the education system was in complete disorder, and enrollments in schools at all levels totaled only 850,500. In the years immediately following, teachers were trained hastily or recruited abroad; classrooms were improvised, many in the vacated homes of former French residents. Attendance climbed to 1.4 million in 1966, to nearly 3.1 million by 1976, and to 6.6 million in 1992. The higher education system first adopted by the University of Algiers was based on the French model. As such, it stressed autonomy of the university faculties not only in administration but also in designing curricula and organizing courses of study aimed at particular degrees.
| Algeria | Government | Back to Top |
Government: Revised constitution of February 1989, inactive by military government in January 1992, ended commitment to socialism embodied in National Charter and earlier constitutions. Political system based on strong presidential rule; provides in theory for multiparty system, separation of religious institution and state, and military subordination to civilian authority.
Politics: Liberalizing government of President Chadli Benjedid toppled by military in January 1992. Presidency replaced by military-controlled High Council of State. Emergency rule enacted to prevent national electoral victory by Islamist movement, spearheaded by Islamic Salvation Front. In January 1994, military named General Lamine Zeroual president; High Council of State abolished. Zeroual to rule in coordination with High Security Council. Political violence and terrorism endemic, including killings of numerous foreigners since 1992. Some legislative functions exercised by National Transitional Council, created in May 1994; 200-member body provided for political party, trade union, professional, and civil service representation.
Judicial System: Legal system derived from French and Arabic legal traditions and determined by socialism. Supreme Court of four chambers reviews application of law by 48 provincial courts and lower tribunals. Civilian judicial system effectively replaced by military tribunals in January 1992.
Administrative Divisions: 48 provinces administered by centrally appointed governors. In 1994 no elected assemblies existed at national, provincial, or communal level.
Foreign Relations: Policy founded on nonalignment, national self-determination, and support for Palestinian Liberation Organization in Arab-Israeli dispute. Membership in League of Arab States and Organization of African Unity. Relations with West improved during 1980s and early 1990s.
| Algeria | History | Back to Top |
| Algeria | Introduction | Back to Top |
Algeria, officially People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, republic of western North Africa; bordered to the north by the Mediterranean Sea; to the east by Tunisia and Libya; to the south by Niger, Mali, and Mauritania; and to the west by Morocco. Its total area is 2,381,741 sq km. The capital and largest city is Algiers.
Official Name -People's Democratic Republic of Algeria| Algeria | Land | Back to Top |
N/A
| Languages | Back to Top |
Arabic is the official language and is spoken by about 84 % of the population; most of the remainder speak Berber dialect. French, is still widely read and spoken by many educated Algerians. Islam is the official religion and is declared by the large majority of the population.
| Algeria | Life | Back to Top |
In the early 1990s, the tradition of strong family life still controlled most areas of the nation. A basic social principle affecting both the individual and the family was a kind of division between the sexes that made gender one of the most valuable determinants of social status. Seclusion of women was not universally practiced, but men and women constituted largely separate societies in public life. In private they were bound by the same culture, values, traditions, and beliefs and the same closeness between generations found in other parts of the Middle East.
The War of freedom and the impetus given to education by the socialist governments of Ahmed Ben Bella, Boumediene, and Bendjedid led to a change in the position of women in Algerian society. Girls were sent to school in large numbers; later, many continued their studies in university and then pursued professional lives, particularly in urban centers.
| Algeria | organization | Back to Top |
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS, OAU, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO.
| Algeria | People | Back to Top |
Algeria's population in January 1988 was 24.2 million, of whom 11.9 million were female and almost 12.3 were male. The figure compared with 12.1 million recorded in the 1966 census, 8.6 million on the eve of the War of freedom in 1954. During the first twenty years after freedom in 1962, the population doubled. The United States government estimate of Algeria's population in 1993 was 27.41 million, and projections were that there would be 33 million people in the nation by the year 2000.
Population growth resumed at the end of hostilities, and in 1966 the annual growth rate was around at 3.3%. consequently, the rate rose to 3.4% before subsiding to 3.2% in the late 1970s, 3.1 in the early 1980s, and 2.8% for the 1990s.
Some 80% of the nation's population consider themselves to be ethnically Arab, though most Algerians are descendents of ancient Berber groups who mixed with various invading peoples from the Arab Middle East, southern Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa.The population consists almost entirely of Berbers, Arabs, and people of mixed Arab and Berber ancestry. Until 1962 about 1 million European settlers, mainly French, and an indigenous population of 150,000 Jews lived in Algeria; 90% of this group, emigrated after Algeria became independent in 1962.
| Algeria | Politics | Back to Top |
From freedom until 1991, the National Liberation Front (FLN) controlled Algerian politics. After the 1992 elections were cancelled, the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), which sought to install an Islamic government, was banned; a 1996 constitutional amendment banned political parties based solely on religion or ethnicity. In 1997 the National Democratic Rally (RND), a pro-government party closely allied with the Algerian president, was created.
The RND won the national and local elections of 1997, in which about 40 parties participated. It won over half the seats in the National Assembly elections, far more than any other party. The RND and its coalition parties, the FLN and the Islamist Movement for Peaceful Society, one of two moderate Islamic-oriented parties allowed to participate, won over 80 % of the seats in local elections.
Democratic National Rally or RND [Ahmed OUYAHIA, chairman]; Islamic Salvation Front or FIS (outlawed April 1992) [Ali BELHADJ and Dr. Abassi MADANI (imprisoned), Rabeh KEBIR (self-exile in Germany)]; Movement of a Peaceful Society or MSP [Mahfoud NAHNAH, chairman]; National Liberation Front or FLN [Boualem BENHAMOUDA, secretary general]; Progressive Republican Party [Khadir DRISS]; Rally for Culture and Democracy or RCD [Said SAADI, secretary general]; Renaissance Movement or EnNahda Movement [Lahbib ADAMI]; Social Liberal Party or PSL [Ahmed KHELIL]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Hocine Ait AHMED, secretary general (self-exile in Switzerland)]; Union for Democracy and Liberty [Mouley BOUKHALAFA]; Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUN]
| Algeria | Provinces | Back to Top |
Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen.
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| Algeria | Time | Back to Top |
| Algeria | Currency and General Information | Back to Top |
| Countries Currency Unit | DZD/Unit | Units/DZD | |
| DZD | Algeria Dinars | 1.00000 | 1.00000 |
| USD | United States Dollars | 77.1877 | 0.0129554 |
| ARS | Argentina Pesos | 26.3436 | 0.0379599 |
| AUD | Australia Dollars | 41.1729 | 0.0242878 |
| ATS | Austria Schillings ** | 4.88296 | 0.204794 |
| BSD | Bahamas Dollars | 77.1877 | 0.0129554 |
| BBD | Barbados Dollars | 38.7878 | 0.0257813 |
| BEF | Belgium Francs ** | 1.66562 | 0.600377 |
| BMD | Bermuda Dollars | 77.1877 | 0.0129554 |
| BRL | Brazil Reals | 33.2153 | 0.0301066 |
| GBP | United Kingdom Pounds | 109.915 | 0.00909797 |
| BGL | Bulgaria Leva | 34.5255 | 0.0289641 |
| CAD | Canada Dollars | 48.4434 | 0.0206426 |
| CLP | Chile Pesos | 0.117628 | 8.50138 |
| CNY | China Yuan Renminbi | 9.32526 | 0.107236 |
| CYP | Cyprus Pounds | 115.691 | 0.00864369 |
| CZK | Czech Republic Koruny | 2.17579 | 0.459604 |
| DKK | Denmark Kroner | 9.04295 | 0.110583 |
| XCD | East Caribbean Dollars | 28.5880 | 0.0349797 |
| EGP | Egypt Pounds | 16.7706 | 0.0596280 |
| EUR | Euro | 67.1910 | 0.0148829 |
| FJD | Fiji Dollars | 34.5204 | 0.0289684 |
| FIM | Finland Markkaa ** | 11.3007 | 0.0884900 |
| FRF | France Francs ** | 10.2432 | 0.0976257 |
| DEM | Germany Deutsche Marks ** | 34.3542 | 0.0291085 |
| XAU | Gold Ounces | 23,308.89 | 0.0000429021 |
| GRD | Greece Drachmae ** | 0.197186 | 5.07137 |
| HKD | Hong Kong Dollars | 9.89662 | 0.101045 |
| HUF | Hungary Forint | 0.276653 | 3.61464 |
| ISK | Iceland Kronur | 0.771775 | 1.29571 |
| INR | India Rupees | 1.58393 | 0.631343 |
| IDR | Indonesia Rupiahs | 0.00787741 | 126.945 |
| IEP | Ireland Pounds ** | 85.3149 | 0.0117213 |
| ILS | Israel New Shekels | 16.3936 | 0.0609995 |
| ITL | Italy Lire ** | 0.0347012 | 28.8174 |
| JMD | Jamaica Dollars | 1.62125 | 0.616807 |
| JPY | Japan Yen | 0.582136 | 1.71781 |
| JOD | Jordan Dinars | 108.879 | 0.00918452 |
| LBP | Lebanon Pounds | 0.0510162 | 19.6016 |
| LUF | Luxembourg Francs ** | 1.66562 | 0.600377 |
| MYR | Malaysia Ringgits | 20.3258 | 0.0491984 |
| MXN | Mexico Pesos | 8.56834 | 0.116709 |
| NZD | New Zealand Dollars | 33.9991 | 0.0294125 |
| NOK | Norway Kroner | 8.72394 | 0.114627 |
| NLG | Netherlands Guilders ** | 30.4899 | 0.0327977 |
| PKR | Pakistan Rupees | 1.28861 | 0.776031 |
| PHP | Philippines Pesos | 1.51586 | 0.659694 |
| XPT | Platinum Ounces | 39,439.96 | 0.0000253550 |
| PLN | Poland Zlotych | 18.7942 | 0.0532078 |
| PTE | Portugal Escudos ** | 0.335147 | 2.98376 |
| ROL | Romania Lei | 0.00234213 | 426.962 |
| RUR | Russia Rubles | 2.48036 | 0.403167 |
| SAR | Saudi Arabia Riyals | 20.5835 | 0.0485826 |
| XAG | Silver Ounces | 359.457 | 0.00278197 |
| SGD | Singapore Dollars | 41.8774 | 0.0238792 |
| SKK | Slovakia Koruny | 1.60891 | 0.621539 |
| ZAR | South Africa Rand | 6.81830 | 0.146664 |
| KRW | South Korea Won | 0.0586128 | 17.0611 |
| ESP | Spain Pesetas ** | 0.403826 | 2.47631 |
| XDR | IMF Special Drawing Rights | 96.3783 | 0.0103758 |
| SDD | Sudan Dinars | 0.296876 | 3.36841 |
| SEK | Sweden Kronor | 7.44235 | 0.134366 |
| CHF | Switzerland Francs | 45.8332 | 0.0218182 |
| TWD | Taiwan New Dollars | 2.21167 | 0.452147 |
| THB | Thailand Baht | 1.77598 | 0.563068 |
| TTD | Trinidad and Tobago Dollars | 12.6124 | 0.0792873 |
| TRL | Turkey Liras | 0.0000589422 | 16,965.78 |
| VEB | Venezuela Bolivares | 0.0838996 | 11.9190 |
| ZMK | Zambia Kwacha | 0.0185147 | 54.0112 |
| Algeria : Geographic coordinates | 28 00 N, 3 00 E |
| Algeria : Population growth rate | 1.71% |
| Algeria : Birth rate | 22.76 births/1,000 population |
| Algeria : Death rate | 5.22 deaths/1,000 population |
| Algeria : People living with HIV/AIDS | N/A |
| Algeria : Independence | 5 July 1962 |
| Algeria : National holiday | Revolution Day, 1 November (1954) |
| Algeria : Constitution | 19 November 1976 |
| Algeria : GDP | purchasing power parity - $171 billion |
| Algeria : GDP - per capita | purchasing power parity - $5,500 |
| Algeria : Electricity - consumption | 21.613 billion kWh |
| Algeria : Exports | $19.6 billion petroleum, natural gas etc. |
| Algeria : Imports | $9.2 billion capital goods, consumer goods etc. |
| Algeria : Telephones | 2.3 million |
| Algeria : Mobile cellular | 33,500 |
| Algeria : Radio broadcast stations | AM 25, FM 1, shortwave 8 |
| Algeria : Radios | 7.1 million |
| Algeria : Television broadcast stations | 46 |
| Algeria : Televisions | 3.1 million |
| Algeria : Internet country code | .dz |
| Algeria : Internet Service Providers (ISPs) | 2 |
| Algeria : Internet users | 20,000 |
| Algeria : Railways | 4,820 km |
| Algeria : Highways | 104,000 km |
| Algeria : Waterways | N/A |
| Algeria : Pipelines | crude oil 6,612 km; petroleum products 298 km; natural gas 2,948 km |
| Algeria : Ports and harbors | Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Beni Saf, Dellys, Djendjene etc. |
| Algeria : Merchant marine | 73 ships |
| Algeria : Airports | 135 |
| Algeria : Heliports | 1 |
| Algeria : Military branches | Army, Navy, Air Force, Territorial Air Defense |
| Algeria : Military expenditures | $1.87 billion |