Countries of North Africa: Algeria. Minerals, natural areas, large rivers

What are the natural features of this North American country? Where is Algeria? Minerals, large rivers, the nature of the relief - all this will be discussed in this article. In addition, you will learn about the seven amazing facts that make this state unique, unlike the others.

North Africa: Algeria

To the countries of North Africa, according to the UN classification, there are seven states. Among them, Algeria is the largest country in the "black continent". A huge part of its territory is practically lifeless expanses of the Sahara desert. In the north, the country has a wide outlet to the Mediterranean. The capital of the state is the city of the same name - Algeria.

According to the constitution, the country is a republic, the power in which is divided between the president and the parliament. However, it is the president who has more powers, after all, he is entitled to appoint a third of the composition of the Senate (one of the two houses of parliament).

The administrative division of Algeria is very interesting. The country is divided into 48 so-called vilayets. And the southern regions are much larger in area than the northern regions. So, for example, on the territory of the Adrar vilayet could easily accommodate at least two dozen northern vilayets of the country.

What are the main natural features of Algeria? This will be discussed in the next sections of the article.

Geological structure and relief

Within this country are two geological structures:

• Platform Saharan (Precambrian);
• Folded Atlas (formed in the era of alpine mountain building).

Some of the country's interior areas are located below the ocean level. This is one of the interesting features that Algeria has. The minerals mined in this state, their deposits are closely related precisely to the geological structure of the given territory.

About 80% of the country's territory is occupied by the Sahara - the largest desert on the planet. The features of the relief of Algeria are very specific: almost all the flat part of the country consists of separate rocky and sandy massifs (ergs). In the southeastern part of the Sahara Desert, it gradually passes into the Ahaggar Highlands, within which is the highest point of the country - Mount Tahat (altitude is 2906 meters). In the extreme north of Algeria stretches the mountain ranges - Tel Atlas and Saharan Atlas. They are separated by an elevated plateau, generously cut by deep canyons and beautiful caves.

Like all other countries in North Africa, Algeria has a wide access to the Mediterranean. The total length of the coastline of this country is almost 1000 kilometers.

Algeria: minerals and their reserves

According to the general reserves of mineral raw materials, the country can be safely placed in the top five leading African states. The territory of Algeria is rich in minerals such as oil and gas, phosphorites, iron ore, manganese ore, mercury, lead and zinc. Bitumen coal is mined in the districts of Beshar and Xixu.

The most important oil and gas fields are in the Hassi-Rmel, Hassi-Mesaud, Egel, Berkin, and Illizi. The explored oil reserves in Algeria are estimated by experts at 12 billion barrels.

The economy of Algeria in many respects zybletsya on income derived from the export of its energy resources. After the fall of the global oil price in recent years, the state has faced a number of problems in the economic plan. Therefore, in 2015, the country's leadership decided to increase oil and gas production.

Climatic features

The climate in Algeria is significantly different in the southern and northern regions of the country. So, in the north it is a subtropical Mediterranean type, and in the center and in the south it is a tropical desert.

The Algerian winter is very different, depending on the place. On the coast it is quite warm, with abundant rains. The air temperature here even in January often reaches + 12 ... + 15 degrees. In the mountains it is cooler, in winter there is often formed a snow cover. Summer in Algeria is very hot and dry, regardless of the region. In the Sahara, the amplitudes of diurnal temperatures can reach twenty degrees!

In the degree of moistening of different regions of Algeria, too, there are significant differences. Thus, in the desert regions of the Sahara, only 20-50 millimeters of precipitation fall during the year, and in the Atlas Mountains - up to 1000-1200 millimeters.

Water resources of the country

Almost all the major rivers of Algeria have the form of temporarily drying up streams, which fill with water only during the rainy season. Local residents call them vedami. The rivers of the northern regions of the country, flowing down from the mountains, are more abundant. But in the center and in the south all the watercourses are, as a rule, "lost" in the boundless sands of the Sahara.

Most of the Algerian lakes also often dry up. In this case, their basins can be covered with a thick crust of salt. Where the groundwater is close to the surface, oases are formed.

The largest river of Algeria - Sheliff - has a length of 700 kilometers. How it looks, you can see in the photo below.

The river originates in the mountains of the Sahara Atlas, crosses the Thuile plateau and carries its muddy waters into the Mediterranean Sea. In the lower reaches, Sheliff flows in a deep and beautiful gorge. On the river there are large cities of Algeria - Ash-Sheliff, Ayn-Defla, Hemis-Milyana. In the river valley of Sheliff, agriculture is actively developing, cotton, grapes and citrus fruits are grown here.

Flora and fauna of Algeria

Geography of Algeria is not only a relief, minerals, climate and water objects. Importance for studying any country is its flora and fauna.

The natural areas of Algeria are very different from each other. Coastal areas of the country, as well as the northern slopes of the Atlas are occupied by a zone of evergreen forests and shrubs. These territories receive a sufficient amount of moisture and heat. Therefore, it is here that most of the inhabitants of this state are concentrated.

In the north of Algeria, forests of stone and cork oak grow with an admixture of pine, cedar and juniper. They contain wild boars, hares, as well as exotic animals - macaques.

In the southern and central parts of the natural areas of Algeria are fundamentally different. These territories occupy a hot zone of deserts. The vegetable world here, of course, is extremely poor and is represented by rare solyanka and ephemerals. In the Sahara, you can meet a dangerous predator cheetah, as well as other mammals - hyena, jackal, gazelle, antelope. In the deserts of Algeria, many small rodents, snakes and birds of prey, scorpions and phalanges are found.

Natural beauties and attractions of the country

One of the main natural attractions of Algeria is the Mediterranean Sea! It is best to admire its expanses from the streets of one of the ancient cities of the northern coast of the country.

Tourists in Algeria must visit the Tassilin-Adzher Plateau, which has an unusual appearance. With the help of "weathering" nature has created here columns and rocks of amazing beauty. It is on the Tassilin-Adzher Plateau that the world's largest artificial cave is located, on the walls of which one can see mysterious drawings of primitive people.

Another very popular natural object in Algeria is the source of Hammam Meskutin. The water in it warms up to 98 degrees Celsius. Local residents confidently assert that it is able to cure absolutely any human ailment.

Interesting national park "Gureya", located in the north of the country, near the town of Sidi Tuathi. In the 80's, it was included in the list of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. The center of the protected area is the eponymous mountain of Gurey, on the slopes of which reside representatives of an endangered species of primates - the mahogany.

Cultural features of Algeria

The culture of Algeria is based on the features of Arab culture, which were supplemented in due time by Turkish and French influences. Most of the population of this country speaks Arabic (or rather, in its Algerian dialect). In large cities, residents also know French well.

The overwhelming majority of the inhabitants of Algeria profess Islam, Christianity is a bit common, and also Judaism.

Local writers and poets write in three languages - Arabic, French and Kabyle. Literature began to develop in Algeria in the late 16th century. The impetus for this development was the desire of the Algerians for independence. Of the modern writers should highlight the novelist Yasmina Khadra, whose novels were nominated for the Dublin Literary Prize.

7 amazing facts about the country

Finally, we offer to your attention seven unusual and interesting facts about this country:

• Algerians really do not like to be photographed. When they see the camera, they tend to turn away sharply.
• On the graves here do not write the date of death, as well as the name of the deceased.
• Algeria is the only country in Africa where a woman is not discriminated against and not oppressed.
• This is a stunningly diverse country in the climatic sense. So, in summer the air can warm up to +50 degrees, and in winter snow often falls in some cities.
• The influence of Western (particularly American) culture in Algeria is very small. Here you can not buy dollars freely, in cities you do not meet the usual "McDonald's", and Coca-Cola is not at all popular.
• In this country there is a lake filled with natural ink, which you can write.
• The metro of the city of Algeria was designed and built by Soviet specialists.

Finally

Now you know how unique Algeria is. Minerals that are actively mined here are iron and manganese ore, natural gas, phosphorites. The Algerian land is also rich in "black gold" deposits.

Features of the relief of Algeria are very specific. So, about 80% of the territory is occupied by the Sahara. In the north it passes into the mountain ranges of Atlas. But on the narrow coastal strip (behind the mountains) is home to over 90% of the total population of Algeria.