# Algeria

> country in North Africa

**Wikidata**: [Q262](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q262)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algeria)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/algeria

## Summary
Algeria (officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria) is a sovereign state and country located in North Africa. It is the largest nation on the continent by land area, spanning over 2.38 million square kilometers, and features a semi-presidential system of government with its capital in Algiers. As of 2023, the country has an estimated population of over 46 million people and is a prominent member of international organizations including the United Nations, the African Union, and OPEC.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** People's Democratic Republic of Algeria (الجمهورية الجزائرية الديمقراطية الشعبية).
- **Type of Entity:** Sovereign state, country, Mediterranean country, people's republic.
- **Independence Dates:** Proclaimed July 5, 1962; formerly part of France until July 3, 1962.
- **Capital:** Algiers.
- **Area:** 2,381,741 square kilometers.
- **Population:** 46,164,219 (estimated 2023).
- **Currency:** Algerian dinar (start date: April 1, 1964); former currency: Algerian franc.
- **Official Languages:** Arabic, Standard Algerian Berber (since 2002).
- **Other Languages Used:** French, Algerian Arabic, Kabyle, Mozabite, Hassaniya Arabic, Shenwa, Shawiya, among others.
- **Head of State:** Abdelmadjid Tebboune (start date: December 19, 2019).
- **Head of Government:** Sifi Ghrieb (start date: August 28, 2025).
- **Government System:** Semi-presidential system.
- **Legislature:** Parliament of Algeria.
- **Highest Judicial Authority:** Supreme Court of Algeria.
- **Motto:** "By the people and for the people" (بالشّعب وللشّعب).
- **Anthem:** Kassaman.
- **Demonym:** Algerian.
- **UN M49 Code:** 012.
- **ISO Codes:** Alpha-2: DZ, Alpha-3: DZA, Numeric: 012.
- **Internet TLD:** .dz.
- **Telephone Code:** +213.
- **Time Zone:** UTC+01:00 (Africa/Algiers).
- **Driving Side:** Right.
- **VAT Rate:** 19%.

## FAQs
**What are the geographical features and borders of Algeria?**
Algeria is located in North Africa on the Mediterranean coast. It shares land borders with Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Western Sahara, and Morocco, and maritime borders with Italy and Spain. Its highest point is Mount Tahat (2,918 m) and its lowest is Chott Melrhir (-40 m).

**What are the main demographic statistics?**
As of 2023, the estimated population is 46,164,219. In 2022, the birth rate was 20.572 per 1,000 and the death rate was 4.329 per 1,000. The life expectancy in 2022 was 77.13 years. The urban population in 2022 was approximately 33.5 million, compared to a rural population of 11.3 million.

**What is the economic and development status of the country?**
Algeria had a nominal GDP of approximately 191.9 billion USD in 2022. Its Human Development Index (HDI) was 0.745 in 2021, and its unemployment rate was 10% in 2014. The country's economy is supported by the Bank of Algeria as its central bank.

**What are the administrative divisions of Algeria?**
The country is divided into 58 provinces (wilayas), including major ones such as Adrar, Algiers, Oran, Constantine, and Tamanrasset, among others.

**What are the emergency contact numbers in Algeria?**
Emergency numbers include 14 for medical services and fire department, 17 for police, 1548 for police (alternative), and 1055 for gendarmerie.

**What is the religious and legal landscape of Algeria?**
The official religion is Islam. The predominant school of Islamic jurisprudence is Malikism. The legal system operates under the Constitution of Algeria, and the country has a retirement age of 60 to 65 years.

## Why It Matters
Algeria plays a crucial geopolitical role as the largest country in Africa and a key player in the Mediterranean and Sahel regions. Its membership in OPEC underscores its importance in the global energy market, primarily through its oil and natural gas exports. Historically, Algeria's struggle for independence from France was a landmark event in the decolonization movement of the 20th century. Culturally, it serves as a bridge between the Arab world, Africa, and the Mediterranean, contributing significantly to literature, music, and arts in the region.

## Notable For
- Being the largest country by land area in Africa.
- Ranking as a "not-free country" according to Freedom in the World reports.
- Possessing a high Human Development Index (0.745 in 2021) compared to regional neighbors.
- Being a founding member of the African Union and a member of the Arab Maghreb Union.
- Hosting 58 provinces, making it one of the most administratively subdivided nations in Africa.
- Having a literacy rate of 75% (as of 2008).
- Holding significant influence in the Non-Aligned Movement and global energy markets.

## Body

### Governance and Political Structure
Algeria operates as a semi-presidential republic. The current President is Abdelmadjid Tebboune, in office since December 19, 2019. The Prime Minister, Sifi Ghrieb, assumed office on August 28, 2025. The executive body is the Government of Algeria, while the legislative function is carried out by the Parliament of Algeria. The Supreme Court of Algeria serves as the highest judicial authority. The nation's constitution defines it as a "people's republic," and its motto, "By the people and for the people," reflects its political ethos.

### Geography and Physical Characteristics
Located in North Africa, Algeria is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north. It covers 2,381,741 square kilometers, making it the largest country on the continent. The landscape includes the Atlas Mountains in the north and the vast Sahara Desert to the south. The country's highest point is Mount Tahat (2,918 m) in the Hoggar Mountains, while its lowest point is Chott Melrhir, a salt lake situated 40 meters below sea level. Algeria shares borders with seven neighboring countries: Morocco (west), Libya (east), Niger (southeast), Mali (southwest), Tunisia (northeast), Mauritania (southwest), and Western Sahara (west). It also has maritime borders with Italy and Spain.

### Demographics and Population Dynamics
Algeria's population has grown significantly from 11.2 million in 1960 to over 46 million in 2023. The population is predominantly urban, with 33.5 million urban residents in 2022 compared to 11.3 million rural residents. The male population slightly exceeds the female population. Key demographic indicators show a birth rate of 20.572 per 1,000 and a death rate of 4.329 per 1,000 in 2022. Life expectancy has risen to 77.13 years as of 2022. The age of majority is 18, and the marriageable age is 19 for all genders.

### Economy and Development Indicators
Algeria's economy is heavily reliant on hydrocarbons, with the country being a member of OPEC since July 1969. The nominal GDP reached 191.9 billion USD in 2022. The currency is the Algerian dinar, introduced on April 1, 1964, replacing the Algerian franc. The central bank is the Bank of Algeria. Development indicators show an HDI of 0.745 in 2021 and a literacy rate of 75% (2008). The unemployment rate stood at 10% in 2014.

### International Relations and Memberships
Algeria is an active participant in global diplomacy. It joined the United Nations on October 8, 1962, and is a member of numerous organizations including:
- African Union (since May 25, 1963)
- League of Arab States (since August 16, 1962)
- Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (since 1969)
- OPEC (since July 1969)
- World Trade Organization
- UNESCO (since October 15, 1962)
- Interpol (since August 28, 1963)
- Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (since April 29, 1997)

### Administrative Divisions
The country is subdivided into 58 provinces, including:
- **Northern Provinces:** Algiers, Oran, Constantine, Annaba, Tizi Ouzou, Béjaïa.
- **Central and Southern Provinces:** Adrar, Tamanrasset, Illizi, Tindouf, In Guezzam.
- **Recent Additions:** Djanet Province, El M'Ghair Province, Bordj Baji Mokhtar Province, Timimoun Province, Touggourt Province, In Salah Province.

### Culture and National Identity
Algeria's culture is a rich blend of Arab, Berber, and Mediterranean influences. The official languages are Arabic and Standard Algerian Berber, with French widely used. The national anthem is "Kassaman," and the flag features a green star and crescent on a white and green background. The country's coat of arms features the "Hand of Fatima" framed by olive branches. The culture of Algeria is studied under "Algerian studies," and the nation is known for its contributions to literature, music (including Raï), and cinema.

### History and Significant Events
Algeria's modern history is marked by its struggle for independence from France, culminating in the Algerian War (1954–1962) and the Evian Accords. Other significant historical events include the Sand War (with Morocco, 1963) and the Algerian Civil War (1991–2002). The country was formerly part of France until July 3, 1962, and became a sovereign state on July 5, 1962.

### Infrastructure and Connectivity
Algeria uses Type E and Europlug electrical outlets with a standard voltage of 230V and frequency of 50Hz. The railway traffic operates on the left. The country code for telephones is +213, and the internet top-level domain is .dz. The nation's official website is available in Arabic (https://www.el-mouradia.dz/ar/home). The country is also active on social media platforms, with subreddits like r/algeria and r/algerie.

## References

1. [Source](https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-algeria-politics-bedoui/noureddine-bedoui-is-algerias-new-prime-minister-ennahar-tv-idUKKBN1QS2CD)
2. [Source](https://arabic.cnn.com/middle-east/article/2019/03/11/ouyahya-algeria-resignation-bouteflika)
3. [Le Monde. 2019](https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2019/12/28/en-algerie-l-universitaire-abdelaziz-djerad-nomme-premier-ministre_6024298_3212.html)
4. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/algeria)
5. Source
6. [Source](https://www.persee.fr/doc/outre_0300-9513_1976_num_63_230_1910_t1_0153_0000_2)
7. Constitution of Algeria
8. [Source](http://viaf.org/viaf/data/viaf-20170101-links.txt.gz)
9. archINFORM
10. general catalog of BnF
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2021e/africa)
13. [Source](https://lingualibre.fr/wiki/Q205525)
14. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q797930)
15. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q823288)
16. [Member States](https://www.un.org/en/about-us/member-states)
17. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
18. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Africa/ALGERIA)
19. [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons](https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/)
20. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/algeria)
21. [International Hydrographic Organization](https://www.iho.int/srv1/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=452&lang=en)
22. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
23. [Source](https://www.earthobservations.org/members.php)
24. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
25. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=23)
26. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
27. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/algeria)
28. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
29. [Source](https://www.oic-oci.org/states/?lan=en)
30. [Source](https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/wco-members/list-of-members-with-membership-date.pdf)
31. [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Continental_Free_Trade_Area#List_of_signatories_and_parties_to_the_agreement)
32. [Source](https://www.ncnk.org/sites/default/files/content/resources/publications/NCNK_Issue_Brief_DPRK_Diplomatic_Relations.pdf)
33. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
34. [Algeria Press Service](https://www.aps.dz/ar/societe/110090-20-21-2021)
35. [Algeria Press Service](https://www.aps.dz/ar/algerie/71721-2019-06-02-12-26-20)
36. [Algeria Press Service](https://www.aps.dz/ar/algerie/73367-5)
37. [Algeria Press Service](https://www.aps.dz/ar/societe/91487-2020-08-26-10-40-07)
38. [الثلاثاء عطلة مدفوعة الأجر بمناسبة المولد النبوي](https://www.echoroukonline.com/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ab%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%ab%d8%a7%d8%a1-%d8%b9%d8%b7%d9%84%d8%a9-%d9%85%d8%af%d9%81%d9%88%d8%b9%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a3%d8%ac%d8%b1-%d8%a8%d9%85%d9%86%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%a8%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84)
39. FIPS 10-4
40. MusicBrainz
41. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
42. The World Factbook
43. World Bank Open Data
44. [World Bank Open Data](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
45. [عدد سكان الجزائر بلغ 43,9 مليون نسمة في يناير الماضي. Algeria Press Service](https://www.aps.dz/ar/algerie/87050-43-9)
46. [Source](https://data.who.int/countries/012)
47. [Source](http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS)
48. [Algerian Constitution of 2020](https://cour-constitutionnelle.dz/ar/2021/03/07/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%af%d8%b3%d8%aa%d9%88%d8%b1-2/)
49. [Source](http://ksng.gugik.gov.pl/pliki/nazwy_panstw.pdf)
50. Official Names of the United Nations Membership