Algeriet

Algeriet, officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, is a country in North Africa. It is the largest country in Africa by land area, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north and by Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Libya, and Tunisia. The capital and largest city is Algiers. The northern coast features a Mediterranean climate and fertile plains; the interior is dominated by the Sahara, with the Atlas Mountain range running parallel to the coast.

The population is around 45 million. The majority identify as Arab-Berber; Islam is the dominant religion. Arabic is the official language; Berber languages are widely spoken and recognized regionally. French remains widely used in business and education. The country is divided into 58 provinces (wilayas).

The government operates as a semi-presidential republic. The president is head of state, and a prime minister heads government. The bicameral Parliament consists of the People's National Assembly and the Council of the Nation. Elections are held on fixed terms.

Algeria's economy is heavily reliant on hydrocarbons. Oil and natural gas account for a large share of export earnings and government revenue, with Sonatrach as the state energy company. The government has pursued diversification and structural reforms, while maintaining extensive subsidies.

Historically, Algeria gained independence from France in 1962 after a long liberation struggle led by the National Liberation Front. The following decades saw one-party rule, a civil conflict in the 1990s, and later political reform movements, including the Hirak protests in 2019. Algerian culture reflects Arab, Amazigh (Berber), and Mediterranean influences, with a rich tradition in music, cuisine, and literature.

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