Algéria

Algéria, or Algeria in English, is a country in North Africa. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north and shares land borders with Morocco and Western Sahara to the west, Mauritania and Mali to the southwest, Niger to the southeast, Libya to the east, and Tunisia to the northeast. The capital and largest city is Algiers. The country’s geography is dominated by the Sahara, which covers most of the interior, with a narrow northern coast and the Atlas Mountains creating a transitional belt of climate and vegetation. Population is concentrated along the coast.

Algéria is a unitary semi-presidential republic. The president serves as head of state and the prime minister as head of government; the cabinet executes policy. The two houses of parliament are the National People's Assembly and the Council of the Nation. Arabic and Berber are official languages; French remains widely used in business, education, and media. The predominant religion is Islam.

Economy: Algeria has substantial hydrocarbon resources, with oil and natural gas accounting for the majority of export earnings and government revenue. The state controls much of the economy, and the government has pursued diversification and reform in recent years to reduce reliance on energy prices. The Algerian dinar (DZD) is the currency.

Historically, the region was home to Berber populations and later witnessed Phoenician, Roman, and Arab influence. It became a French colony in 1830 and achieved independence in 1962 after a protracted war led by the National Liberation Front (FLN). In the decades since, Algeria has experienced political change and periods of instability, followed by gradual reforms. Algerian culture reflects Arab, Berber, and Mediterranean influences, with a rich musical and culinary tradition.