Algeria

Algeria, the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, stands as Africa’s largest country by area, spanning over 2.38 million square kilometers in North Africa along the Mediterranean Sea.

With a population exceeding 47 million, its capital Algiers serves as a vibrant political and cultural hub. Gaining independence from France in 1962 after a grueling war, Algeria boasts a rich tapestry of Arab-Berber heritage, influenced by ancient civilizations like the Numidians and Romans.

Its economy, classified as upper-middle-income, relies heavily on oil and natural gas exports, positioning it as a regional energy powerhouse. Famous for the vast Sahara Desert, UNESCO-listed Roman ruins, and traditional cuisine like couscous, Algeria offers stunning landscapes from coastal plains to mountainous regions.

Despite historical challenges, including a 1990s civil war, it remains a resilient nation with diverse ethnic groups and a predominantly Sunni Muslim population.

Flag of Algeria

The flag of Algeria consists of two vertical bands of green and white, with a red crescent and five-pointed star in the center, symbolizing Islam and independence.

Country information

ISO Code DZ
Native Names الجزائر
Alt Spellings DZ, Dzayer, Algérie
Capital Algiers
Region Africa
Subregion Northern Africa
Population 44700000
Area 2381741
Currency DZD
Languages Arabic
Demonym Algerian
Timezones UTC+01:00
Calling Codes 213
TLDs .dz, الجزائر.
Independent TRUE
UN Member TRUE
Start of Week sunday
Neighboring countries

Location on the map

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About the country

Algeria is located in Africa, subregion: Northern Africa. The capital is Algiers. Population: 44700000. Currency: DZD. Languages: Arabic. Borders: TUN, LBY, NER, ESH, MRT, MLI, MAR. Calling codes: +213.

Algeria Capital

Algiers, the bustling capital of Algeria, sits on the Mediterranean coast and acts as the nation’s political, economic, and cultural heart, blending historic sites with modern life in a population of over 2 million.

• 🇩🇿 Algiers is home to the ancient Casbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring narrow alleys and Ottoman architecture.
• 🌆 The city boasts a major port, facilitating trade and serving as a gateway for Mediterranean commerce.
• 🏛️ Government institutions like the People’s National Assembly and the presidency are centralized here.
• 📚 Educational hubs such as the University of Algiers attract students from across the region.
• 🏖️ Coastal boulevards offer stunning views, making it a blend of urban energy and seaside charm.
• 🕌 Mosques like the Ketchaoua Mosque highlight the city’s rich Islamic heritage.

Algeria Currency

The Algerian dinar (DZD) is the official currency, used in daily transactions and tied to the country’s hydrocarbon-driven economy, with state control influencing its stability and value.

• 💰 The dinar is subdivided into 100 centimes, though coins are less commonly used today.
• 📈 Algeria’s foreign reserves, bolstered by oil exports, help maintain the currency’s strength.
• 🏦 The Bank of Algeria regulates the dinar, implementing policies to combat inflation.
• 🛒 Everyday purchases, from markets to services, are conducted in dinars.
• 🌍 International trade often involves converting dinars to stronger currencies like euros.
• 🔄 Exchange rates fluctuate based on global oil prices, impacting import costs.

Algeria Match

Algeria’s national football team, known as the Desert Foxes, has been active in 2025 competitions, showcasing strong performances in African qualifiers and friendlies against regional rivals.

• ⚽ In October 2025, Algeria defeated Somalia 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier, demonstrating offensive prowess.
• 🏆 Upcoming match on November 13 against Zimbabwe promises intense physical play and tactical battles.
• 📅 On December 9, a friendly versus Iraq is set, building momentum for the Arab Cup.
• 🌟 Star players like Amoura scored crucial penalties in recent 2-1 wins.
• 🆚 Rivalries heat up in AFCON preparations, with games against Sudan and Burkina Faso in December.
• 🎉 Fans celebrate victories with national pride, boosting team morale across the country.

Algeria Costume

Traditional Algerian costumes reflect a fusion of Arab-Berber influences, varying by region and often worn during festivals, weddings, and cultural events to preserve heritage.

• 👗 Women’s haik is a long white robe from northern regions, symbolizing modesty and elegance.
• 🧕 The melhfa, a colorful veil, is popular in southern Saharan areas for protection against sand.
• 🧥 Men’s burnous is a hooded woolen cloak, ideal for desert climates and formal occasions.
• 👘 The djellaba, a loose robe, is common for both genders in daily or ceremonial wear.
• 🎉 Embroidered kaftans feature intricate patterns, showcasing artisanal craftsmanship during celebrations.
• 🌺 Accessories like jewelry and headscarves add vibrant colors to traditional ensembles.

Algeria Language

Algeria is officially bilingual, with Arabic and Tamazight as national languages, while French lingers from colonial times, enriching communication in education and media.

• 🗣️ Modern Standard Arabic is used in official documents and media broadcasts.
• 🌍 Tamazight, a Berber language, gained recognition in 2016, spoken by millions in Kabylie.
• 🇫🇷 French remains a lingua franca, with over 11 million able to read and write it.
• 📚 Algerian Arabic dialect, Darja, dominates everyday conversations among 83% of the population.
• 🏫 English is increasingly taught in schools since 2022 to boost global connectivity.
• 🔤 Berber dialects like Kabyle include unique scripts and cultural expressions.

Algeria Vs

Algeria often faces comparisons and rivalries with neighbors like Morocco, stemming from border disputes, diplomatic tensions, and competitions in sports and resources.

• 🆚 Vs. Morocco: Ongoing Western Sahara conflict led to broken relations in 2021.
• ⚽ Vs. Tunisia: Intense football derbies highlight Maghreb regional rivalries.
• 💥 Vs. France: Colonial legacy fuels debates over historical reparations and nuclear tests.
• 🌍 Vs. Egypt: Economic comparisons in Africa, with Algeria’s oil vs. Egypt’s population.
• 🛢️ Vs. Libya: Shared borders and oil interests create cooperative yet competitive dynamics.
• 🏆 Vs. Nigeria: Rivalries in African football tournaments for continental supremacy.

Algeria Religion

Sunni Islam dominates Algeria’s religious landscape, practiced by 99% of the population, shaping daily life, laws, and cultural practices with historical roots in Arab migrations.

• 🕌 Sunni Muslims form the vast majority, following Maliki school of jurisprudence.
• 🌙 Ibadi sect, a minority, thrives in the M’zab Valley with about 290,000 adherents.
• ✝️ Small Christian communities, mainly Protestant, number 100,000–200,000 post-independence.
• 📖 Influential thinkers like Abdelhamid Ben Badis promoted Islamic reform in the 20th century.
• 🛐 Non-religious trends among youth have fluctuated, but Muslim identity remains strong.
• 🕊️ Sufi traditions add mystical elements to religious observances and festivals.

Algeria Time Now

Algeria operates on Central European Time (CET), UTC+1, without daylight saving, ensuring consistent timekeeping across its vast territory year-round.

• ⏰ As of November 1, 2025, the current time in Algeria is approximately 5:51 PM.
• 🌍 Time zone aligns with many European countries for easier international coordination.
• 🕒 No seasonal adjustments, simplifying scheduling for businesses and travelers.
• 📅 Clocks are one hour ahead of UTC, affecting global calls and flights.
• 🏙️ In Algiers, time influences daily routines like prayer times and work hours.
• 🔄 Compared to GMT, it’s always +1, stable for planning events.

Algeria Map

Algeria’s map reveals a massive territory dominated by the Sahara Desert in the south, with fertile coastal plains and Atlas Mountains in the north bordering the Mediterranean.

• 🗺️ Borders seven countries: Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Western Sahara.
• 🏜️ Sahara covers 90% of the land, featuring dunes, oases, and Hoggar Mountains.
• 🌊 Mediterranean coastline stretches 1,997 km, hosting major cities like Algiers and Oran.
• ⛰️ Atlas ranges divide northern fertile zones from southern arid expanses.
• 📍 Highest point: Mount Tahat at 3,003 meters in the Ahaggar massif.
• 🌿 Climate varies from coastal Mediterranean to extreme desert heat inland.

Algeria Flag

The Algerian flag features vertical green and white bands, with a red crescent and star centered, adopted in 1962 to represent faith, purity, and the struggle for freedom.

• 🇩🇿 Green symbolizes Islam and prosperity, on the hoist side.
• ⚪ White represents peace and purity, on the fly side.
• 🌙 The red crescent embodies unity and the nation’s Islamic heritage.
• ⭐ The five-pointed star signifies socialism and the fight against colonialism.
• 🎨 Colors draw from historical banners used during the independence war.
• 🏳️ Flown proudly on national holidays like Independence Day on July 5.

Algerian People

Algerian people, or Algerians, are a diverse mix of Arab-Berber descent, with strong family ties and hospitality defining their social fabric in urban and rural settings.

• 👥 Population exceeds 47 million, with 90% living along the northern coast.
• 🌍 Are Algerians Arab or African? Primarily Arab-Berber, geographically African in North Africa.
• 🏡 Berbers (15-24%) maintain distinct cultures in regions like Kabylie.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Family-oriented society emphasizes community support and traditions.
• 🌟 Youthful demographic drives cultural evolution and economic aspirations.
• 🤝 Known for warmth, Algerians often welcome guests with tea and conversation.

Algeria Currency to USD

The Algerian dinar exchanges at approximately 1 DZD to 0.0075 USD, influenced by oil markets, with rates around 133 DZD per USD in late 2025.

• 💵 1 USD buys about 130-133 DZD, based on recent fluctuations.
• 📉 Rates hovered between 0.0076 and 0.0077 USD per DZD in October 2025.
• 🛢️ Oil exports impact conversion, strengthening reserves to $173 billion.
• 🏦 Travelers exchange at banks or airports for best rates.
• 🔄 Use apps or converters for real-time updates on dinar value.
• 🌐 International transfers via services like Wise track historical trends.

Algeria People

Algeria’s people embody a blend of ethnicities, predominantly Arab with Berber roots, fostering a resilient identity shaped by history and geography.

• 👥 Over 47 million inhabitants, with high urban concentration in the north.
• 🌍 Are Algerians Arab or African? A fusion of Arabized Berbers, firmly African in continent and culture.
• 🏞️ Nomadic groups in the Sahara preserve ancient lifestyles.
• 🎓 Literacy at 92.6%, supported by free education systems.
• 💪 Strong national pride from independence heroes like Emir Abdelkader.
• 🍲 Shared meals like couscous reinforce communal bonds.

Conclusion

Algeria captivates with its expansive deserts, historic ruins, and vibrant culture, offering a unique North African experience. Why is Algeria famous for? Its Sahara landscapes, Roman heritage, and energy resources stand out. Is Algeria a rich or poor country? As an upper-middle-income nation, it’s resource-rich but faces diversification challenges. Is it safe to go to Algeria now? Exercise caution due to terrorism risks near borders and kidnapping threats, per 2025 advisories—avoid high-risk areas and check updates. Overall, Algeria’s warm people and natural wonders make it a rewarding destination for informed travelers.

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