State of Algeria: population, history, description

Algeria is a country located in North Africa. It belongs to the states of the Mediterranean basin, and also has access to the sea in the north. The official name is the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria.
It borders on such states as Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Libya and Tunisia. The capital of the country is the city of Algeria.

History of Algeria

The history of the state began in the X century BC, when the first tribes of the Phoenicians settled on these lands. For a long time the territory belonged to the Roman, then Byzantine Empire. In the 16th century, Algeria became a province of the Ottoman unification. And in the XIX century is part of France, as his colony. And only in 1962 Algeria (Africa) became an independent state.

The name comes from the word "el-joeir" - "island". More than 80% of the entire territory of the state is the largest desert of the planet - the Sahara. In the south-east, the Ahaggar Highlands are located, and here is the highest point of the country - Takhat (2,906 m). In the north it is surrounded by one of the few mountain systems in Africa - Mount Atlas.

Climate

The description of Algeria should begin with the weather. The country is located in two climatic zones: a subtropical Mediterranean type and a tropical desert. The latter is unfavorable for people living here. Therefore, the overwhelming majority of the inhabitants of the country (about 93%) settled on the north coast. Winter is weak, rainy, without frosty temperatures. Average t ° January + 12 ° C. Summer is hot and dry. In desert areas, the temperature of the air depends on the time of day. The difference between day and night can reach more than 20 ° C. On the mountain tops, even snow falls.

Algeria is a country characterized by a dry climate. The annual amount of precipitation does not exceed 100-150 mm. There are no rivers with a constant current here. Only in the rainy season can dry channels fill with water. The only major river is Algeria - Sheliff, 700 km long. It flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The river is used for irrigation of agricultural lands, on it are built hydroelectric power stations. In the Sahara you can meet single oases. They arise in those places where the surface of the underground water rises.

Vegetable world

The plant world of the country also differs due to the features of the relief and climate. In the north, the Mediterranean type of vegetation prevails. This is what distinguishes Algeria. The population of the state is proud to grow on the territory of their homeland. Here, everywhere you can find low trees and thick bushes: olive tree, pistachio, juniper, cork, sandarak, stone oak. Deciduous tree species also grow. The flora of the Sahara is very poor. It is represented only by two species: ephemerals and solyanki.

Animal world

Fauna is also meager. In addition to the natural decrease in the number of individuals, there is also the problem of the extermination of certain species of animals. In mountainous forest areas you can meet hares, wild boars. The fauna of the Sahara is characteristic of desert areas: hyenas, jackals, gazelles, antelopes, cheetahs, foxes.

Minerals

Algeria, whose population receives wages through external sales, has the largest oil and gas deposits. They constitute the overwhelming majority of the country's economy. This state occupies the forefront of the export of these minerals.

Population

According to the latest census, there are more than 40 million people in Algeria. More than half the population is urban dwellers. Ethnically, the overwhelming majority of inhabitants are Arabs (83%). Mostly they live in the territory of a country like Algeria. The population of this state is also represented by Berbers - almost 17%. Less than 1% are representatives of other nationalities. The official language of the state is Arabic. But French is also common. Algeria is a Muslim country. 99% of the population are Muslims here.

Characteristics of the state

According to the state structure, Algeria is a republic. At the head of the country is the president. Legislative body is the parliament, consisting of two chambers - the Senate and the People's Assembly. All state bodies are elected by voting for a 5-year term.

According to the administrative division, this country is divided into regions (vilayets). Algeria is divided into 48 vilayets. They, in turn, are subdivided into districts, and the latter - to communes. In addition to the capital of Algeria, where the population is about 3 million people (as of 2011), the major cities are: Oran, Skikda, Annaba, Constantine.

Cultural heritage and tourism

In the country there are many interesting sights, preserved since the reign of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Local residents honor their culture and carefully guard historical monuments. Algeria, whose population is quite hospitable, is an ideal place for tourists, therefore, rest on this territory will be unforgettable. There are many hotels and hotels here, they spoil their pricing policy. However, one should pay attention to the temperature regime of the state, because it is easy to "work up" a cold, caused by the peculiarities of the local climate.