Flag of Algeria
- Officially » الجمهورية الجزائرية الديمقراطية الشعبية (Arabic)
- République algérienne démocratique et populaire (French)
- People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria (English)
- Capital » Algiers
- Also most populous city
- Date and Time
- Weather
Facts
- Population » 41 million
- Younger than 15 yo: 29.5%
- 65+ yo: 6.1%
- Languages » Arabic, French, Berber
- Religion » Islam
- Life expectancy » 76 years (men), 78 years (women)
- Currency » Algerian Dinar (DZD)
Geography
- Area » 2.4 million sq km (919,595 sq miles)
- Algeria is the tenth-largest country in the world, and the largest in Africa, occupying 7 percent of the landmass.
- The largest country in at the Arab world.
- Bordered to the northeast by Tunisia, to the east by Libya, to the southeast by Niger, to the southwest by Mali, Mauritania, and the Western Saharan territory, to the west by Morocco, and to the north by the Mediterranean Sea.
- Behind the Mediterranean coastline lie mountains and fertile plains, with the vast Sahara desert to the south
Map of Algeria (Source » France, June 2021)
Maps
Climate
- The climate is temperate with hot and dry summers
- The winters are mild with some rain along the coast
Health
- There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.
- Proof of vaccination is required if you are coming from or have transited through an airport of a country where yellow fever occurs (WHO).
- US CDC Travellers’ Health
Tourism
Visa
- Canadians must be in possession of a visa to visit Algeria.
Vehicle-Supported Adventure Travel
- Since 1994 all land borders between Morocco and Algeria have been closed for security reasons.
- All borders except with Tunisia and Mauritania are closed or not accessible to foreign tourists. (Sahara Overland)
- Authorities will want to know your travel plans when travelling outside major cities and may assign police or gendarmes to protect you or stop you from travelling to those areas they deem too dangerous for tourists.
- Travelling in the southern part of Algeria requires that you be escorted a guide.
- When DiscoBrousse crossed from Tunisia to Algeria at El Oued, border officials would not allow him to enter until he hired a guide.
Notes
- Algeria declared independence from France in July 1962.
- In 1963 the military took over the government, and has retained power to this day (2022).
- The government espouses Islam and no laws may be passed that do not adhere to its tenets.
- Protests occur with relative frequency.
Safety and Security
- Risk level high in some areas of Algeria, particularly within 50 km border regions with Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Tunisia due to a heightened threat from terrorism and kidnapping.
- Borders with Libya have been closed for years for tourist.
- Off-highway tourism is almost non-existent.
- A protest movement that began in February, 2019, is still ongoing in July 2019.
- Anyone planning to visit should consider contacting their embassy or consulate in Algiers to get an update on the current security situation.
Government Travel Advice for Algeria
Embassies in Algeria
- Canada
- List of Embassies // Another list of Embassies
Posts
Media
Resources
- Africa Guide
- Australia Department of Foreign Affairs Countries, Economies and Regions: Algeria
- Aviation Safety Network » Algeria
- BBC Country Profile
- Canada Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade County Profile: Algeria
- Numero » Cost of living » Algeria
- Sahara Overland
- ReliefWeb
- U.S. Department of State Country Profile: Algeria
Last Updated on December 28, 2022