Characteristics of the country Algeria. Geography of Algeria: relief, climate, population, minerals
Please describe Algeria according to the country description plan and got the best answer
Answer from YaisiyaKonovalova[guru]
1. When describing a country, it is necessary to use political, physical, climatic maps, a map of natural zones and peoples. For description economic activity population - a comprehensive map.
2. Algeria is located in northern Africa. Capital of Algiers. Algeria borders Morocco to the west, Mauritania and Mali to the southwest, Niger to the southeast, and Libya and Tunisia to the east.
3. The territory of the country occupies central part mountain system Atlas and the Sahara Desert. Northern Algeria is represented by folded ranges, massifs and intermountain plains of the Atlas Mountains system. Within Algeria there are the largest ranges of the Atlas - Tel Atlas and the Saharan Atlas, massifs - Varsenis (Sidi Amar, height 1985 m), Big Kabylia and Small Kabylia (height up to 1200 m), Hodna, Ores (Shelia, height 2328 m
4. In Northern Algeria, the climate is subtropical, Mediterranean with warm, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. The average January temperature is 12°C on the coast, 5°C on the intermountain plains, and 25°C in July. The absolute maximum temperature is above 40°C everywhere. Most of the precipitation falls in November - January (400-800 mm in Tel Atlas, up to 1200 mm or more per year in the Kabyle massifs). In the transitional zone to the Algerian Sahara, the climate is more arid, semi-desert (the average temperature in July is above 30 ° C, precipitation is 200-400 mm per year). In the Sahara, the climate is desert, extremely dry (less than 50 mm of precipitation per year, in some years there is no rain at all). Daily temperature fluctuations reach up to 30°C (in summer the temperature during the day is 40°C and above, at night 20°C, in winter it is about 20°C during the day, at night it drops to 0° and below). Dry winds often cause sandstorms.
5. Most long river Shelif (700 km), the rest rarely exceed 100 km in length (El-Hamman, Isser, Summam, El-Kebir). Most of the rivers are dominated by rain feeding. Dams, reservoirs and hydroelectric power stations have been built on the rivers. The waters of the oueds are used for irrigation.
Most of the salt lakes (sebkhs) lie in intermountain basins. These are lakes - Shott-ash-Shergi, Shott-el-Khod-na, Zahrez-Shergi, Zahrez-Gharbi.
6. natural areas. On the coast of the Mediterranean Sea - hard-leaved forests and shrubs, areas of altitudinal zonation and deserts.
7. The peoples of Algeria are Arabs and Berbers. In some oases of the Algerian Sahara live Kabils, Shavia, Tuareg. The population is distributed throughout the territory of Algeria extremely unevenly. More than 95% of the total population of the country lives in Northern Algeria, and most of it is concentrated in a narrow coastal strip.
In the western and central part of Northern Algeria, a settled population predominates, mainly engaged in field cultivation. Semi-nomadic and pastoral nomads inhabit the High Plateau, the Saharan Atlas and the Sahara. The settled population of the desert is the inhabitants of oases and mining centers.
The population is engaged in mining, fishing, growing citrus fruits
Algerian People's Democratic Republic
Algeria country in northern Africa. In the west it borders with Morocco, Western Sahara, in the east with Tunisia and Libya, in the south with Niger, Mali and Mauritania.
The name of the country comes from the Arabic El Jezair - "island".
Capital
Square
Population
31,700 thousand people
Administrative division
It is subdivided into 48 wilayas (provinces).
Form of government
Republic.
head of state
The president.
supreme legislative body
Unicameral National Assembly.
Supreme executive body
Government.
Big cities
Oran, Constantine.
Official language
Arab.
Religion
99% profess Sunni Islam.
Ethnic composition
83% - Arabs, 16% - Berbers, less than 1% - Europeans.
Currency
Algerian dinar = 100 centimes.
Climate
The climate of Northern Algeria is subtropical. Average temperatures in January range from + 5°С to + 12°С, in July - about + 25 °С. The climate of the Sahara is tropical, desert. The amount of precipitation is up to 1200 mm in the mountains and 200-400 mm in the plains. In the Sahara, less than 50 mm falls annually.
Flora
The vegetation is mainly characteristic of desert and semi-desert regions, in the north it is typical of the Mediterranean: dense thickets of shrubs and low trees (evergreen mastip tree, wild olive, pistachio, acacia, etc.). Forests of cork oak, Aleppo pine and groves of rare Lebanese cedars grow in the mountains.
Fauna
The fauna of Algeria is characterized by jackals, hyenas, antelopes, gazelles, hares.
Rivers and lakes
There are no permanent rivers on the territory of the state.
Attractions
Numerous ruins of the cities of the Phoenicians, Romans and Byzantines, rock frescoes in the mountains, in Algeria - Old city, Museum of Ancient History ":, and antiquity, in Oran - a large mosque and a citadel. In cities on the edge of the Sahara (the main one is Gardaya) - examples of medieval architecture, when ornament and calligraphy became predominant.
Useful information for tourists
The traditional way of life of the Arabs in the countryside is the association under one roof of several families of different generations. The head of the family is the father. Men work, visit public institutions, acquaintances. Women take care of the house and raise children, their secluded lifestyle is dictated by the Koran. In cities, each family lives separately. Women's traditional clothing is a white hijab (veil), with which she covers everything except her eyes. Most of the townspeople wear European clothes.
Economic and geographical characteristics of Algeria
1. Introduction 3
2. natural conditions 5
3. Population geography 8
4. Geography of industry 9
5. Geography Agriculture 11
6. Geography of transport 14
7. Foreign economic relations 15
8. Conclusion 16
9. References 17
1. Introduction
Algeria (by the name of the city of Algiers, from the Arabic al-Jezair - islands), (Arabic - Al-Jumhuriya al-Jezairiya Democracy ash-Shaabiya) -
- a state in North Africa, located in the western part of the Mediterranean basin., where important world routes pass between the Atlantic and the Middle East, Europe and African countries. It borders: in the west with Morocco and Western Sahara, in the southwest with Mauritania and Mali, in the southeast with Niger, in the east with Libya and Tunisia. From the north, the territory is washed mediterranean sea. Area 2381700 sq. km. Population 29.3 million people (1998). Capital - mountains. Algiers (3 million inhabitants). Big cities Oran (700 thousand people), Constantine (600), Annaba (400). Arabs make up 80%, Berbers - 19% (Kabils, Chauya, Tuareg), the rest - 1%.
Most of the population of Algeria are Sunni Muslims (Malikites and Hanafis). A number of followers of the Ibadi sect live in the Mzab valley, Ouargla and Algiers. The state religion of the country is Islam. The country has approx. 150 thousand Christians, mostly Catholics, and approximately 1 thousand adherents of Judaism. The official language is Arabic, but is still widely spoken French. Some Berber tribes, speaking Tamahaq and Tamazirt, acquired their own written language. Several books have already been published in the Tamazirt dialect in Algeria. About 3/4 of the population is concentrated in the foothills of the Tell Atlas, approximately 1.5 million people live in the highlands and less than one million live in the Sahara desert. The highest density is observed near the capital and in the Kabylia region. Length railways 4.2 thousand sq. km., the length of roads is 102 thousand km. Geographical position |
Algeria occupies the central part of the Atlas mountain region and 1/4 of the Sahara desert.
The territory of the country is 2381.7 thousand square meters. km.
The climate of Northern Algeria is subtropical. The average temperature in January is 5 - 12C, in July 25C. Precipitation 400 - 1200 mm per year. The central and southern parts of the country are occupied by the Sahara desert, where the average daily temperature fluctuations reach 30 C. The climate of the Sahara is tropical, desert (less than 50 mm of precipitation per year).
Cork oak forests (in the mountains), semi-desert and desert vegetation.
Form of government -
Republic
Administrative division - 48 wilayas (provinces)
Head of State - President
Legislature - Unicameral National People's Assembly
The country belongs to the developing, to the key subgroup.
2.Nature
Algeria occupies the central part of the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert. Washed by the Mediterranean Sea. The coastal part lies in the northern subtropical zone, the rest of the territory lies in the tropical zone of the Northern Hemisphere.
The shores are mostly high, rocky, with narrow beaches. On the entire coast there are no bays deeply protruding into the land; the number of large bays is insignificant (Oranskaya, Algerskaya, Bejaia, Annaba).
Relief. Northern Algeria is represented by folded ridges, massifs and intermountain plains of the Atlas Mountains system. Within Algeria are the largest ranges of the Atlas - Tel Atlas and the Saharan Atlas, massifs - Varsenis (Sidi Amar, 1985 m), B. Kabylia and M. Kabylia (altitude up to 1200 m), Hodna, Ores (Shelia, 2328 m ). The mountains are cut by deep gorges of rivers, divided into separate dome-shaped smaller massifs. The large intermountain plains and plateaus (the so-called High Plateaus) in the central parts are occupied by large salt lakes—sebkhas.
The Algerian Sahara occupies the central part of the world's largest desert region of the Sahara. Its relief is dominated by plateaus about 500 m high. In the northeast, there is a large lowland filled with sand and a basin of the salt lake Shott-Melgir (26 m below sea level). To the south-east extensive volcanic the Ahaggar highlands with the Atakor massif (Takhat, 3,003 m, the highest peak of Algeria), surrounded by a system of stepped plateaus (Tademait, Tassilin-Adjer, Muydir, and others). Within Algeria there are large sandy deserts with high dune ridges (the Great Western Erg, the Great Eastern Erg, the ergs of Igidi, Shesh, and others) and rocky deserts (the Tanez-ruft in the south).
Geological structure and minerals. The territory of Algeria within the Atlas Mountains belongs to the Mediterranean geosynclinal folded belt, and in the Sahara region to the ancient African platform. There are large deposits of oil and natural gas(Hassi-Messaoud and others), which constitute the main wealth of Algeria. The Atlas contains deposits of iron (Maghrib), copper, lead and zinc ores, phosphorites, mercury, antimony, barite, diatomaceous earth, coal, etc.
Climate. Northern Algeria has a subtropical Mediterranean climate with warm, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. Wed January temperature on the coast is 12°C, on the intermountain plains 5°C, in July 25°C. The absolute maximum temperature is above 40°C everywhere. Severe droughts are frequent. Most of the precipitation falls in November - January (400 - 800 mm in Tel Atlas, up to 1200 mm or more per year in the Kabyle massifs). In winter, in the mountain regions, snow stays on the peaks for up to 10-20 days or more. In the transitional zone to the Algerian Sahara, the climate is more arid, semi-desert (average temperature in July is above 30 ° C, precipitation is 200-400 mm per year). In the Sahara, the climate is desert, extremely dry (less than 50 mm of precipitation per year, in some years there is no rain at all). Daily fluctuations in temperature reach up to 30°C (in summer daytime 40°C and above, at night 20°C, in winter around 20°C during the day, at night it drops to 0°C and below). Dry winds often cause sandstorms.
Inland waters. All the rivers of Algeria are of the Oued type. The Oueds of Northern Algeria are close to Mediterranean-type rivers with a predominance of rain feeding. Only in the coastal zone is the flow of oueds directed to the Mediterranean Sea. In the rest of Algeria, there are closed basins of internal runoff. Water discharges in the Mediterranean oueds range from 0-2 cubic meters. per second in summer, up to 1000 cubic meters per second or more during floods after rains. Short but severe floods are frequent. The largest oued is Shelif (700 km), the remaining oueds rarely exceed 100 km in length (El-Hamman, Isser, Summam, El-Kebir, etc.). Dams, reservoirs and hydroelectric power plants have been built on the oueds of northern Algeria. The waters of the Ueds are used for irrigation (more than 100 thousand hectares). Most of the salt lakes (sebkh) lie in intermountain basins (Schott-el-Shergi, Shott-el-Khodna, Zahrez-Shergi, Zahrez-Garbi, etc.) or depressions (Schott-Melgir). The Sahara has large reserves of groundwater, especially in the northern part, where the largest oases are located (Tidikelt, Tuggurt, El Golea).
Soils. In northern Algeria, the zonal soil type is brown (carbonate and leached in Tel Atlas, gray-brown in semi-desert regions). The altitudinal zonality is manifested in the variants of brown and brown forest soils. In the foothills, solonchak massifs are widespread around them. The Sahara is dominated by gravel soils of subtropical deserts, waving and semi-fixed sands.
Vegetation. On the coast, vegetation is of the Mediterranean type with dry hard-leaved forests and shrubs. Altitude zonation is well expressed in the mountains: up to 800-1000 m - a belt of evergreen dry-loving thickets of shrubs and stunted trees (maquis), mostly cultivated (olive tree, pistachio, etc.), higher - forests of cork and evergreen (holm) oak and deciduous species, from 1200 to 1500 m - the belt of Aleppo pine, from 1500 to 2000 m - junipers and thuja, above 2000 m there are cedar forests. To the south of Tel Atlas, the vegetation acquires a semi-desert character with a predominance of grasses and sagebrush. The vegetation cover is highly degraded. Only isolated areas of forests have survived. In the Sahara - saltwort, ephemeral plants on the sands after short spring rains, cereals (Sahara gorse, ephedra, drin), shrubs - species of acacia, jujube.
Animal world. Large mammals (lions, leopards, gazelles, etc.) and birds (ostriches, cormorants) are heavily exterminated. Of the mammals in northern Algeria, the Barbary macaque (mago), hare, and rabbit have survived; in the north of the Algerian Sahara - hyena, genet, jackal, fennec fox; gazelles and antelopes are rare. There are many small rodents (jerboas, etc.), bats, birds of prey. There are a lot of reptiles (lizards, monitor lizards, more than 20 species of snakes, turtles) and insects (locusts are especially harmful), as well as phalanxes, scorpions, ticks.
3. Population geography
2 type of reproduction - population explosion. The birth rate is 35-40 per 1000 people in 1 year. Mortality 5-10 per 1000 people in 1 year. The natural increase is more than 30. The composition of the population is the predominance of the male population. Average life expectancy: men - 67, women - 69.
The main population of the country is Algerians, who make up more than 98% of the total population. They consist of Arabs and very close to them in language and culture of the Berbers.
Most of the indigenous population speaks an Algerian dialect Arabic(81.5%). Dialects of the Berber language spoken. 17.9%, survived mainly among the Berber population of the mountainous regions of the country and some oases of the Algerian Sahara (Kabil, Shauya, Tuareg). Among the population major cities French is also widely spoken (it is spoken by 0.4%). By religion, Arabs and Berbers are Sunni Muslims.
Over 4% of the population lives abroad, mainly in France and Belgium. After 1962, as a result of the mass exodus of the French from Algeria, their number decreased from 1 million people. (1960) to 68.4 thousand (1966).
The population is distributed throughout the territory. extremely uneven. More than 95% of the total population of the country lives in Northern Algeria, and most of it is concentrated in a narrow coastal strip. The most densely populated Kabylia, where the density reaches more than 300 people. per 1 sq. km, with an average density in the country of 12.3 people. per 1 sq. km. In the Algerian Sahara, the density is less than 1 person. per 1 sq. km. Rural residents, who make up the majority of the country's population, lead a sedentary, semi-sedentary or nomadic lifestyle. In the western and central part of Northern Algeria, a settled population predominates, mainly engaged in field cultivation. Semi-nomadic and pastoral nomads inhabit the so-called High Plateaus, the Saharan Atlas and the Sahara. The settled population of the desert is the inhabitants of oases and mining centers. Demographic growth 2.6%,
4.Geography of industry
Industry. The mining and energy industries account for over 1/3 of the country's gross industrial output. Leading among these industries is the oil and gas industry. In the northern and eastern regions of the Sahara there are the main Algerian oil and natural gas fields of world importance discovered after World War II (oil reserves are estimated at about 1 billion tons, gas - 3,000 billion cubic meters). The annual oil production is about 60 million tons. Oil is delivered through pipelines to the Mediterranean ports, from where it is exported mainly to France (70% of all oil). Part of the oil goes to refineries in Algiers and El-Harrash, about half of the oil products are exported.
The extraction of natural gas has also become important - 3288 million cubic meters. m in 1968; 43 billion cubic meters m - in 1997. 3 fields are being exploited - Hassi-Rmel (provides approx. 9/10 of all gas production), In-Amenas and Hassi-Mesaud (associated with oil). The pipeline transports methane to the coast, where most of it is liquefied at the plant in Arzev and exported mainly to England and France. The use of natural gases within the country is expanding; the cities of Algiers, Oran, Mostaganem and others were gasified.
The development of ore minerals is concentrated in northern Algeria. Among them, the first place is occupied by the extraction of iron ore, which is mainly exported. The main mines are Wenza (over 50% of all production), Bu-Kadra. The extraction of lead-zinc ores is of great importance. Their development is carried out in the Oued Zunder and Oued Abed deposits, as well as in small quantities in Sidi Kamber and Varsenis. Mining of phosphorites in connection with the development of the El-Quif deposit has decreased. A new large deposit, Jebel-Onk, has been explored and put into operation. Insignificant mining of coal is underway (in the city of Kenadza, in the northwest of the Algerian Sahara), copper ore (in Ain Barbar near the city of Annaba, 4.6 thousand tons per year), as well as iron pyrite, barite, antimony, diatomaceous earth. The largest deposits of iron ore in the Maghreb (Gara-Jibilet, near Tindouf) and a large deposit of mercury (in northern Algeria) have been explored. Electricity production is 1.2-1.3 billion kWh, including about 780 million kWh at thermal power plants (the most important thermal power plants are in the cities of Algiers, Annaba, Oran, Bechar).
The main branches of the manufacturing industry are: food and flavor (about 1/2 of all products), metalworking, textile and clothing, oil refining, chemical, leather and footwear, cement (small and partly medium-sized enterprises predominate). Distilleries and canning factories, tobacco factories, grain processing and olive oil production are located in almost all cities of Northern Algeria. The textile industry, including the handicraft production of carpets, is located in the cities. Algiers, Oran, Annaba, Tlemcen. The metal-working industry is represented by small mechanical and repair shops, car-building and pipe-rolling plants, etc. Its main center is the city of Algiers (assembly plants for cars and trucks); in the city of El Harrash - tractor assembly plants. A metallurgical plant was built in Annaba with the assistance of the USSR and other countries (in 1968, the first stage of the plant with a capacity of 400,000 tons of steel per year was commissioned). The chemical industry is developing: plants for the production of superphosphate, sulfuric acid, blue vitriol, cellulose, etc. - in the years. Algiers, Oran and Annaba. Built (1969) large plant nitrogen fertilizers and ammonia in Arzev. Cement plants (with a total capacity of about 1 million tons annually) are located in the cities. Algiers and Oran. Algeria received a variety of economic, scientific and technical assistance from the USSR, which provided large loans and supplied latest equipment for the enterprises under construction; organized and operates the Institute of Oil and Gas in the city of Boumerdes (near the capital), handed over together with the technical school as a gift to the people of Algeria.
5. Geography of agriculture
Agriculture is an industry that employs the bulk of the population of Algeria. Agricultural land, including forest land, is occupied. 44.2 million hectares, or about 1/5 of the entire territory, of which 7-10 million hectares (depending on climatic conditions) are cultivated land (almost all in Northern Algeria). At the first stage of the agrarian reform (1962-64), the lands of the European colonists were expropriated and collective farms headed by self-government committees were created on them. The self-governing sector in 1966 consisted of 2,200 households with a total area of 2,400,000 hectares, including 30% of farms, each having a size of over 1,000–2,000 hectares. They are located on the most fertile lands, and half of them are in the plains of the Northwest (wilaya Oran, Mostaganem, Tiaret). On the share x-in This sector accounts for 24% of all arable land, 65% of land with fruit plantations, 60% of all crop production, and 5% of livestock. The old peasant sector covers 650,000 farms, of which 600,000 farms each have less than 10 hectares of land, including 350,000 farms with less than 2 ha.
In 1988, a agrarian reform. The state farms were dissolved. On their basis, 22,000 small cooperatives were formed. Part of the land was transferred to the peasants.
Agriculture provides about 3/4 of the entire agricultural sector. Algerian products. The main place (over 4/5) in the sown area is occupied by grain crops. Rain-fed agriculture dominates in Algeria; irrigated lands do not exceed 250,000-300,000 ha. Hard wheat is cultivated mainly in the inner regions of the Tel, soft wheat - in the northwest. The yield of cereals in small farms does not exceed on average (except for rice) 3-8 c/ha. Algeria is forced to systematically import grain (2300 - 3000 thousand centners per year). The farms of the socialized sector produce about one-third of the total harvest of wheat, barley, and oats, and about two-thirds of corn, sorghum, and rice.
Of particular importance are viticulture and winemaking, which gave in the 50s. about 1/3 of all gross output and 1/2 of Algerian exports (by value). The main vineyards are in the northwest. Algiers (in the region of the city of Oran, more than 1/2 of their entire area).
Most of the wine is exported to France. After 1962, France markedly reduced its purchases of wine from Algeria, which sharply affected the situation of viticulture in the country. Exported wine is 1.7 million hl.
The production of citrus fruits also plays a significant role, especially oranges (on the Mitidzha plain, in the Shelifa valley), most of which are exported to European countries.
The olive tree has long been cultivated, especially in Kabylia (about 2/5 of the total olive harvest); olive oil (an average of about 20 thousand tons per year) is consumed mainly within the country. In the oases of the Sahara, the date palm is cultivated. On the coast, near large cities, the cultivation of early vegetables (about 6 million centners per year), tomatoes, artichokes, carrots, and also potatoes sold in European markets is developed. The socialized sector accounts for approximately 92% of the total citrus crop, 34% of olives, 8% of dates and 45% of vegetables. Of the industrial crops, tobacco is cultivated, mainly in Mitidzha and Kabylia, which is mostly exported (about 10 thousand tons per year).
Animal husbandry is extensive in nature, it provides almost 1/4 of the total agricultural production. products, but in the interior, on the elevated plains and plateaus, especially in the Sahara, often serves as the main and even the only source of subsistence for semi-nomads and nomads. The population of the mountainous and coastal regions of northern Algeria is characterized by distant pasture or mountain pasture cattle breeding in combination with agriculture. The number of cattle is 1.5 million heads, sheep - 15 million heads.
Forestry and fisheries. Forests and bushes (total area 3 million hectares) have been preserved mainly in the mountains of Tel Atlas. Cork oak massifs are of the main economic importance (harvesting of 300-600 thousand centners of cork raw materials per year - 3rd place in the world). The main part of raw materials is processed at state-owned enterprises and exported. In the semi-desert districts (vilaya Tiaret, Saida, Medea), the collection and primary processing of alpha grass (total area approx. 4 million ha) is important. Alpha raw materials (90,000-100,000 tons annually—first place in the world) are used mainly for the production of the best grades of paper, pulp, and wickerwork.
Fishing (mainly sardine, herring, anchovy) is poorly developed (average catch is about 20 thousand tons per year). Measures are being taken to increase the marine fishery and fishing ports are being reconstructed (Beni Saf, Oran, Tenes, Shershel, etc.).
Livestock (thousand heads)
Sheep, goats, cattle, camels are bred.
Structure of land in use (thousand ha)
6. Geography of transport
An important role is played by railways, the total length of which is 4.2 thousand km, including with the norms. gauge 2.6 thousand km; Main railway the highway between the city of Oujda (Morocco) and the city of Gardimau (West. Tunisia) through the years. Oran, Algiers and Constantine are connected by the most important economic centers of the North. Algeria. From ch. highways depart lines to the north, to seaports, and to the south, to mining developments and oases of the north. Sahara. The total freight turnover is 960-980 million t-km.
The length of the road network is 50.2 thousand km. The main highway runs along the coast, from which highways branch off in the north and south directions. After 1962, the roads Adrar-Bechar (720 km), Bechar-Tindouf (900 km), In-Amenas-Ghadames were built.
Pipeline transport has been developed (the total length of oil pipelines is about 3,000 km, and gas pipelines are more than 1,000 km). There are large oil pipelines: In-Amenas-Sekhira (Tunisia), Hassi-Messaoud - Bejaia, Hassi-Messaoud - Arzev, Beni-Mansour - Algiers and gas pipelines Hassi-Rmel - Arzev, Mesdar - Skikda (700 km) and gas pipeline Hassi-Rmel - Skikda.
Maritime transport provides almost all foreign trade transportation. In terms of cargo turnover, the following ports are distinguished (thousand tons): Bejaia - 15.3, Arzew - 9.1, Algiers - 4.4, Annaba - 19.2, Oran - 1.8.
Air transport is developing rapidly. There are 65 airfields in the country, of which 31 are civil. Airports of international importance are located near the cities. Algiers (Dar el Beida), Annaba and Oran (La Senia).
7. Foreign economic relations
The volume of foreign trade of the countries is $5-25 billion.
Export - 100% (fuel).
Import: Machinery and equipment, food, agricultural raw materials, chemical products, etc.
Until 1962, the total volume of foreign trade turnover amounted to more than half of Algeria's gross national product. After the establishment of political independence, Algeria follows the path of overcoming one-sided dependence on foreign markets and capital, strengthening the state monopoly in foreign relations. In 1967, the state controlled 90% of exports and 75% of imports. Until 1962, France, England, Germany, Italy, Morocco and Tunisia accounted for 90% of the total Algerian foreign trade turnover, including 80% to France. In the 60s. this share is declining as a result of strengthening trade ties with socialist and developing countries. In 1965, the share of France in Algerian imports was 70%, and in exports 76%. The main export commodities to the countries listed above are: oil (approx. 2/3 of the total value of Algerian exports), wine (15%), fruits and vegetables (12%), iron ore (3%), tobacco, paper. Algeria imports industrial equipment, foodstuffs (especially grain, milk, meat), as well as light industry products (synthetic fabrics, textile products) and metals (the import of the latter has been placed under strict control since 1967).
Agreements on economic cooperation, including financial assistance, Algeria concluded with the USSR, China, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria. Czechoslovakia, UAR, Kuwait. There are agreements with France, England, the USA, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Development Fund.
Currently, foreign trade with the EU countries accounts for more than 60%, the US - 17%. External trade turnover is 22.6 billion dollars (1997). Export: oil and oil products - 51.7 million tons (1997); natural gas - 43 billion cubic meters m; wine, citruses, cork, building materials.
In November 1996, the Maghreb-Spain gas pipeline was put into operation. In 1997, 4 billion cubic meters of gas was supplied to Spain. m, to Portugal - 400 million cubic meters. m.
The financial position of Algeria is determined by oil and gas revenues (up to 98% of foreign exchange earnings and about 66% of the state budget revenues. Algeria's gold and foreign exchange reserves are more than 9 billion dollars.
AT last years on objective reasons Algeria's financial position deteriorated, and external debt increased significantly (34 billion in 1997). As a result of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, the Paris and London Clubs, an agreement was reached to re-segregate most of the debt.
The growing financial and economic difficulties led to an increase in inflation, prices, a deterioration in the life of the population (over 2.5 million unemployed, mostly young people. More than 1 million Algerians work in Western Europe. The property stratification of society is deepening.
Algeria is a country with ancient history wars of conquest and colonization, both by African and Eurasian states. The main influence was exerted by the Arabs, who planted their culture, language, religion (Islam). Berbers - the descendants of the historically indigenous population - the Libyans, constitute an absolute minority.
The formation of Algeria as a state was facilitated by its advantageous geographical position- important world routes pass here between the Atlantic and the Middle East, Europe and African countries.
ANDR is a parliamentary presidential republic with very broad presidential powers.
Algeria is a fairly developed state economically and culturally. The standard of living of the population is relatively high, supported by subsidies from the state, mainly due to the export of oil, gas, etc. Free education and medical care. Much attention is paid to education.
ANDR is a state characterized by political instability, in the containment of which leading role the army is playing. The main factor of political instability is the struggle for power, both between political movements and within them. The main troublemakers political life are the FIS and Hamas. They constitute the main opposition to the state course (the construction of socialism, the establishment of a presidential regime, a one-party system, etc.). One of the main factors used by the opposition is unemployment, economic difficulties, etc. Instead of a constitution, they put forward Sharia law - the Koran. The main methods of struggle for extremist Islamic organizations are international and domestic terrorism.
The economic base of Algeria are Natural resources(oil, gas, ores, etc.) and nationalized foreign possessions, firms, companies, banks, property, etc.
In the Algerian economy, in recent years there has been a transition from planned to market; allowed to buy land from the state fund, unprofitable cooperatives; much of the trade passed into private hands.
There are still problems in public health: the fight against infectious and environmental diseases, as well as in veterinary medicine - the fight against animal diseases, including those dangerous to humans.
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