Algeria

Algeria spans 2.4 million square kilometers in North africa, giving it more land than any other African country. Algiers, the capital, rises in tiers of white buildings above the Mediterranean sea, while Oran and Annaba anchor western and eastern ports. South of the coastal tell, the Atlas Mountains catch rains that feed wheat fields, cedar forests, and hillside villages before the landscape opens into stony hamada and dune-filled erg deserts.

The Sahara covers roughly 80 percent of Algeria and includes dramatic sites like Tassili n'Ajjer, famous for prehistoric rock art, and the Hoggar Mountains, home to Tuareg communities and volcanic peaks. Oases such as Ghardaïa and Timimoun rely on underground water channels called foggaras to irrigate date palms. Solar farms now dot desert plateaus, complementing gas pipelines that carry energy toward europe.

Algeria's history weaves Berber kingdoms, Phoenician trade, Roman cities like Timgad, Arab-Islamic learning centers, and centuries of Ottoman influence. French colonization began in 1830 and lasted until the Algerian War of Independence (1954–1962), when the National Liberation Front fought for self-rule. The modern republic adopted Arabic and Tamazight (Berber languages) as official tongues and continues to refine institutions through elections and constitutional reforms.

Hydrocarbons account for most export earnings, with Sonatrach operating gas fields in Hassi R'Mel and oil installations in the Sahara. The government also promotes petrochemical plants, phosphate mining, desalination projects, and diversified agriculture producing citrus, olives, and cereals. Entrepreneurs in Constantine and Sétif run textile workshops, while software firms and film festivals highlight Algeria's creative sector.

Cultural life blends Andalusian music, raï pop from Oran, Amazigh crafts, and family meals built around couscous, harira soup, and mint tea. Football clubs unite neighborhoods, and universities in Blida and Tlemcen train engineers focused on energy efficiency, desert architecture, and water-saving technologies. Festivals celebrating Yennayer (Amazigh New Year) and Mawlid gather communities to share poetry, stories, and hopes for the future.