Where is Algiers located? Full description of Algeria
There are few people in the world who do not like to travel. Isn't it tempting to go to an unknown country and see how people live in it? And how exciting it is to travel around countries and continents, to see different customs different peoples, hear an unfamiliar speech, find yourself in a strange house, where everything is not like your own, familiar. Traveling alone is boring. So we are going on a journey together.
We have an exciting expedition ahead of us.
So, we set off, cross the Mediterranean and reach the coast of North Africa.
1.Country of North Africa - Algeria
- Algeria (official name - Algerian People's Democratic Republic) for a long time was a colony of France; received the status of an independent state in 1962.
- This is one of the largest countries not only on the continent, but also in the world. The area of Algiers is 2,381,740 km².
- The capital is the city of Algiers.
2.Geographic location
- Algiers lies in northwestern Africa.
- The territory of the country is central part mountain system Atlas and northern Sahara.
- Washed by water from the north mediterranean sea.
Exercise
Name the neighbors of Algiers.
Determine extreme points cities of Algiers - the capital of the state
relief (map work)
The Sahara desert occupies about 90% of the territory of Algeria and consists of separate sandy and rocky deserts.
In the southeast of the Algerian Sahara, the Ahaggar highlands are elevated, where the highest point of Algeria is located.
The north of the Algerian Sahara lies 26 m below sea level. Here is the salt lake Shott-Melgir
Exercise
Find on the map in the atlas the name of the highest mountain in Algeria, located in the Ahaggar highlands.
3. Nature and climate
The climate of Algeria is subtropical Mediterranean in the north and tropical desert in the Sahara.
Winter on the coast is warm and rainy (12 ° C in January), cool in the mountains (2-3 weeks of snow), in the Sahara the temperature depends on the time of day (at night below 0 ° C, during the day 20 ° C).
Summers in Algeria are hot and dry.
Annual rainfall ranges from 0-50 mm in the Sahara to 400-1200 mm in the Atlas Mountains.
Water resources:
- The river network in Algeria is poorly developed. Most of the country's rivers are temporary streams (oueds) filled during the rainy season.
- The rivers of the far north of the country flow into the Mediterranean Sea, the rest are lost in the sands of the Sahara. They are used for irrigation and water supply, for which reservoirs and hydroelectric power stations are built on them.
- The basins of lakes (sebkhas) are also filled during the rainy period, and in summer they dry up and are covered with a salt crust up to 60 cm thick.
- In the Sahara, in areas of large groundwater reserves, there are the largest oases up to 60 cm thick.
Exercise
Determine the most big river countries.
- The largest river Sheliff (700 km).
Vegetation
The Mediterranean coast is represented by hard-leaved evergreen trees and shrubs. In the Atlas Mountains, forests of cork and holm oak, Aleppo pine, juniper, arborvitae, Atlas cedar and deciduous trees grow. Up to a height of 500 m, olives and pistachios are grown. The vegetation of the Sahara is very poor and is represented mainly by ephemera and saltwort.
Animal world
Poor, because to a large extent exterminated by man. In the forests of the Atlas, hares, wild boars and macaques have survived, in the Sahara - cheetahs, jackals, hyenas, genet, fennec foxes, gazelles, addax antelopes, birds of prey, small rodents, snakes, lizards, turtles, invertebrates - locusts, scorpions, phalanxes , centipedes. natural areas: areas of altitudinal zonation, semi-deserts and deserts, hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs.
4. Population
Population - 34.6 million (July 2010 est.)
Annual increase - 1.2%
Urban population - 65% (in 2008)
Literacy - 79% male, 60% female (2002 est.)
Ethnic composition -Arabs 83 %, Berbers16%, others less than 1%.
Languages - Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French is common.
Religion - Sunni Muslim 99%, other 1%.
Exercise:
Where do you think the bulk of the Algerian population lives?
5. Economy of the country
Industry
- Algeria is one of the most mineral-rich countries in Africa. The country has rich deposits of iron ores, manganese, zinc, lead, copper, mercury, and phosphorites. But the main wealth is natural gas (8th place in the world in terms of its reserves) and oil (15th place in the world).
- Algeria has a wide variety of mining and manufacturing industries.
- The Algerian authorities are making efforts to diversify the economy and attract foreign and domestic investment in other industries. Structural changes in the economy, such as the development of the banking sector and the construction of infrastructure, are slow, partly due to corruption and bureaucracy.
Agriculture
- On the fertile soils of the Mediterranean coast and in the intermountain valleys, Algerians grow valuable subtropical crops - grapes, citrus fruits, oilseeds (olives), fruit trees.
- In the deserts, Algerians are mainly engaged in animal husbandry. Breed sheep, goats, camels. Agriculture in the Algerian Sahara is possible only in oases where date palms are grown, and under their dense crown - fruit trees and crops (wheat, oats).
Transport
Domestic transportation of goods is carried out by road and rail. The total length of roads is 104 thousand km,
length railways 4.8 thousand km. Of these, 1.1 thousand km are narrow-gauge tracks, 300 km are electrified
Sea transport carries out 70% of foreign trade freight traffic
(railway 20%, road 10%).
Main ports: Algiers, Arzew, Annaba, Oran, Skikda.
The country has 136 airports, of which 51 have concrete runways.
The main international airport of class A is Dar El Beida.
Algiers is located in northern Africa. One of the largest countries on the continent. The total area of the country is 2,381,740 km2. The length of the coastline is 998 km.
One of the largest and most developed countries in Africa, located in the north of the mainland. The territory of the country occupies the central part of the Atlas mountain system and the north of the Sahara desert. The relief of northern Algeria is represented by two main ranges - the Coast (or Tel Atlas) and the Saharan Atlas and intermountain plains. The highest point is Mount Tahat (3003 m) in the Ahaggar highlands. The territory of the Sahara is occupied by rocky deserts - hamads and sandy - ergs. The river network is poorly developed (the main river is the Shelif), most of The rivers dry up regularly. It borders with Morocco in the west, with Tunisia and Libya - in the east, with Niger, Mali, Mauritania - in the south. From the north it is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Algeria belongs to the countries of the Maghreb ("Arab West"). The total area of Algeria is 2381.7 thousand square meters. km.
Nature of Algeria
The Tell Atlas mountain range running along the coast in the north is cut through by a few bays and plains. The lowlands around the cities of Algiers and Oran are densely populated. Small bays are used for fishing, export of iron ore and oil. Tell Atlas rises above sea level by more than 1830 m and includes the Tlemcen massifs, the Greater and Lesser Kabylia and Mejerda.
At medium altitudes, there are Mediterranean-type shrubs and cork oak forests. At higher elevations, cedar and pine forests once grew, but as a result of clearings, fires and cattle grazing, many mountainous regions have turned into a scrub-covered wasteland. The climate is Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and warm, rainy winters. In winter, snow covers only the highest peaks. The dispersion of average annual precipitation is from 760 mm on the coast to 1270 mm on the slopes of Tell Atlas facing the sea and less than 640 mm on its inner slopes.
The southern part of Tell Atlas is a high plateau with an average height of 1070 m. This area is characterized by semi-arid climatic conditions with an annual rainfall of 250–510 mm. In more humid areas, cereals and alpha (esparto) grass are cultivated, the fibers of which are used to make ropes, fabrics and high-quality paper. Salt lakes (called schott) and salt marshes are found at lower elevations with dry climates. Farther south, the Sahara Atlas rises to a height of 150 m above the plateau and then drops to the Sahara by more than 300 m. The most elevated part of the Sahara Atlas is the Ksur, Amur and Ouled Nail mountain systems. The annual rainfall on the northern slopes is approx. 510 mm, in the south - 200 mm. Due to the abundant grass cover, the Saharan Atlas serves as a convenient grazing area.
Statistical indicators of Algeria
(as of 2012)
The rest of the country is occupied by the Sahara desert. The average height mark in the Sahara is approx. 460 m. In the region of the Ahaggar (Hoggar) massif, near the southern border of Algeria, there is the highest peak of the country, Mount Tahat - 2908 m. Most of the Sahara is occupied by gravel and pebble deserts (hamads and regs), and approximately 1/4 part is sandy deserts (ergs) . During the day it is hot, sometimes the temperature reaches 35 °, but the nights are cool. Precipitation is extremely rare. In oases, under conditions of constant irrigation, the date palm grows. In Algeria, only a few rivers have a constant flow, the rest are fed by precipitation. Wells dug in dry riverbeds (wadis) serve as sources of water supply, in many places groundwater is used, which comes to the surface through artesian wells and foggars - horizontal tunnels dug at a slight slope.
Geological structure of Algeria
In the territory of Algeria, there are various geological structure and metallogeny of the region - Sahara (part of the ancient African platform) and Atlas (sector of the Mediterranean geosynclinal belt), separated by the South Atlas Fault. In the south of the Sahara region, the Ahaggar (Hoggar) shield stands out, in the southwest - El-Eglab (Regibat). They are composed of Archean crystalline rocks, metamorphosed volcanic clastic and carbonate deposits of the Lower Proterozoic and Riphean-Vendian; geosynclinal-orogenic volcanic-sedimentary deposits, Taurirt granites (650-500 Ma) are also widely developed in Ahaggar. The platform cover is formed by marine terrigenous-carbonate deposits of the Riphean-Vendian (especially in the Regibati massif), lagoonal-continental and marine deposits of the Paleozoic (thickness 1.2-3.8 km), sandstones and evaporites of the Triassic, clays and sandstones of the Jurassic - Neogene.
In the cover of the Sahara Plate, syneclises (Tindouf, Western and Eastern Sahara) are distinguished, separated by uplifts, and the Ugarta zone, which is an aulacogen, the folding of which manifested itself at the end of the Carboniferous. The deposits of ores of uranium, tin, tungsten, rare metals and gold in Ahaggar are associated with volcanic rocks and granites of the Riphean-Vendian. In the Tindouf syneclise, among the Paleozoic clayey-sandy deposits of the platform cover, the largest deposits of iron ore are localized, in the south of Ahaggar - promising deposits of uranium. The anticlines in the sediments of the cover on the northern dip of the Ahaggar host unique deposits of oil (Hassi-Mesaud) and gas (Hassi-Rmel).
In the folded Atlas region, evaporites, gypsum-saline clays, and red clastic rocks of the Triassic are developed, overlain by marine terrigenous-carbonate deposits and carbonate-terrigenous flysch (Jurassic, Cretaceous, Paleogene). In the north, the Neogene is represented by marine volcanic-sedimentary, clay-carbonate, in the south - by continental deposits.
In the Tel Atlas, folded rocks of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic (up to and including the Middle Miocene) form a series of tectonic covers (charyazhs) displaced from north to south. In the coastal zone, andesites and granitoids of the Neogene are slightly developed, in the massifs of Greater and Lesser Kabylia, metamorphic rocks of the Precambrian and Paleozoic shales that protrude to the surface. To the south of Tel-Atlas, there is a platform block of the High Plateaus (Oran meseta), where the folded Hercynian basement is covered by a thin, weakly deformed Mesozoic-Cenozoic cover. In handfuls, Paleozoic terrigenous and volcanic-shale rocks are exposed, crumpled and intruded by Hercynian granitoids. To the south of the High Plateaus is the moderately folded zone of the Saharan Atlas, formed on the site of the Mesozoic trough. On the whole, near-latitudinal folds and faults of eastern and northeastern (or "Atlas") strike prevail in the Atlas region, as well as submeridional "Red Sea" faults superimposed in the northern part of Algeria on the Tel-Atlas shariags. Longitudinal and transverse faults determine the location of volcanites, evaporite diapirs, and the most important ore-bearing zones with deposits of ferrous and non-ferrous metals in the Atlas region. In northern Algeria, deposits of ores of iron, zinc, lead, copper, antimony, mercury and various kinds non-metallic raw materials.
The territory of Algeria is characterized by high seismicity, which is associated with movement along faults and ridges in various zones of Northern Algeria. The most seismic is Tel Atlas (6-7 points), within its limits are coastal zones (Tenes-Shershel, Oran-Mostaganem and Shelf).
Minerals of Algeria
Oil fields discovered and explored in Algeria, natural gas, coal, ores of uranium, iron, manganese, copper, lead, zinc, mercury, antimony, gold, tin, tungsten, as well as phosphorites, barite, etc.
In terms of oil reserves, Algeria ranks third in Africa. On the territory of Algeria, 183 oil and gas fields are known, confined to the Algerian-Libyan oil and gas basin; most of the deposits are located in the northeast of the Sahara region. The largest oil field - Hassi-Mesaud is localized in the sandstones of the Cambrian-Ordovician. The Zarzaitin, Hassi-Tuil, Hassi-el-Agreb, Tin-Fue, Gourd-el-Bagel and other fields have significant reserves. Algeria ranks first in Africa in terms of gas reserves. The largest gas field Hassi-Rmel lies in the sandstones of the Triassic; Significant gas reserves have been explored at the Gurd-Hyc, Nezla, Oued-Numer and other fields.
The reserves of coal are insignificant, its deposits (Kenadza, Abadla, Mezarif) are concentrated in the deposits of the Upper Carboniferous in the Bechar basin. Coals are fat, caking, medium ash (8-20%), contain 20-35% volatile impurities and 2-3.5% sulfur.
In terms of uranium ore reserves, Algeria ranks 4th in Africa. The hydrothermal-vein deposits of uranium ores Timgauin, Tinef and Abankor have been explored in Ahaggar (proved reserves are 12 thousand tons, the content of U3O8 is 20%); in the south of the shield, uranium manifestations are known in Paleozoic sandstones (Tahaggart).
In terms of iron ore reserves, Algeria is in 2nd place in Africa. In northern Algeria, metasomatic iron ore deposits have been explored in reef limestones of the Apt (Jebel-Uenza, Bou-Khadra), the total reserves of which are over 100 million tons, the Fe content is 40-56%. In the Tindouf syneclise, the largest Devonian sedimentary deposits of oolitic iron ores in Algeria, Gara-Jebilet (total reserves of 2 billion tons, Fe content 50-57%) and Mesheri-Abdelaziz (2 billion tons, 50-55%), were revealed. The reserves of manganese ores are insignificant, they are confined to the volcanogenic-hydrothermal deposit of Oued-Gettara (total reserves 1.5 million tons, Fe content 40-50%) in the Bechar region.
In terms of lead and zinc ores, Algeria ranks second in Africa. In northern Algeria, stratiform, vein (telethermal) and lenticular vein (hydrothermal) deposits of polymetallic ores are developed. Stratiform deposits of lead and zinc ores are located in carbonate deposits of the Jurassic (El-Abed, Deglen), Cretaceous (Kerzet-Yusef, Meslulla, Jebel-Ishmul), veins in sandy-argillaceous rocks of the Cretaceous (Gerruma, Sakamody) are associated with diapirs of Triassic evaporites. Volcanic and plutonogenic-hydrothermal copper-polymetallic deposits in the rocks of the Cretaceous - Neogene are associated with Miocene volcanic rocks (Bu-Sufa, Oued-el-Kebir) and granitoids (Bu-Duka, Ashish, Ain-Barbar, Kef-um-Tebul). Ore occurrences of cuprous sandstones are known in the Cretaceous and Triassic deposits (Ain Sefra, in the west of the Saharan Atlas), Cambrian (Ben-Tajik in Ugart) and Vendian (Khank south of Regibat).
Algeria ranks first in Africa in terms of mercury reserves (about 4% of global reserves). Deposits of mercury ores were found in the Azzaba area among terrigenous-clastic rocks of the Cretaceous - Paleogene and in Precambrian shales (Genish deposits - total reserves in terms of metal 4.5 thousand tons, Hg content 1.16%; Mpa-Cma, respectively, 7.7 thousand tons, 3.9%; Ismail - worked out). In terms of antimony ore reserves, Algeria ranks second in Africa; they are concentrated in northern Algeria at the Hammam-Nbails telethermal deposit. In terms of reserves of tungsten ores, Algeria ranks first in Africa. In Ahaggar, quartz-cassiterite-wolframite greisen-vein bodies of Nahda (Launi), Tin-Amzi, El-Kapycca, Bashir, Tiftazunin, etc., associated with Taurirt granites, have been explored. In northern Algeria, the Belelietta skarn-scheelite deposit is known.
The most significant hydrothermal vein gold deposits - Tiririn, Tirek, Amesmessa, Tin-Felki, etc. - have been explored in the Precambrian crystalline rocks of Ahaggar; exploration and prospecting for gold continues.
The Bou-Duau deposit has been discovered in northern Algeria.
In terms of phosphorite reserves, Algeria is in 5th place in Africa. In northern Algeria, deposits of granular phosphorites are associated with clay-carbonate deposits of the Upper Cretaceous - Paleogene. The largest deposits are Dzhebelyonk, El-Kuif, Mzaita (see Arabian-African phosphorite-bearing province).
In terms of barite reserves, Algeria ranks second in Africa. In northern Algeria, the vein fields of Mizab (total reserves of 2.15 million tons, BaSO4 content of 90%), Affensu, Bu-Mani, Varsenis and Sidi-Kamber were discovered, in the Bechar region - vein fields of Bu-Kais, Abadla, etc. From other minerals in Algeria, a large deposit of celestine Beni-Mansour (Northern Algeria), the total reserves of which are 6.1 million tons; known deposits of pyrites (reserves are small), common salt, etc.
History of development of mineral resources. The oldest evidence of the use of stone for the manufacture of tools was found in Ternifin and dates back to the Lower Paleolithic (about 700 thousand years ago). From the Neolithic era, the extraction of clays for the manufacture of ceramic dishes began (5-4th millennium BC), from the 2nd millennium BC. - stone for the construction of large burial structures - dolmens. Information about the developed mining and metallurgical production in the Middle Ages is given in the works of Arab scientists and travelers al-Yakubi (9th century), al-Bakri (11th century), al-Qazvini (13th century), etc. The main mining centers were concentrated in the north - iron ore mines "Nemours" and "Beni-Saf" near the city of Arzev (Western Algeria), as well as near the cities. Setif, Annaba, Bejaia; copper mines in the Jebel Ketama mountains. In the department of Constantine (near Majana, Eastern Algeria), there are also mentions of the development of deposits of silver, lead ores, building stone (not later than the 16th century). Mercury ore was mined near the city of Arzev. In the 10th century, salt mines were located on the hill of Jebel el-Melh ("Mountain of Salt").
After the colonization of Algeria (1830), an intensive search for minerals began in the country. Industrial exploitation of iron ore deposits (Ain Mokra, Beni Saf, Jebel Wenza, Mokti el Hadid) has been carried out since the 50-60s. The 19th century, at the same time, intensive development of deposits of lead, zinc and copper ores (Muzaya, Oued-Merja, Tizi-Ntaga), phosphorites (since 1893) was carried out. In 1907, the main coal deposit of Algeria, Kenadza, was discovered, the maximum production from which was carried out during the years of World War II (1939-45).
Mining. general characteristics. The leading branch of the mining industry is oil and gas (more than 90% of the value of all products of the mining industry); provides most of the foreign exchange earnings. In 1981, oil and gas accounted for 96% of the value of the country's exports, which amounted to 62 billion Algerian dinars. In the mining industry, the public sector plays a leading role. In the oil and gas industry, the state company "Société Nationale pour la Recherche, la Production, le Transport, la Transformation et la Commercialization des Hydrocarbures" ("SONATRACH") holds a monopoly position. Oil and gas reserves and production, all main oil and gas pipelines, gas liquefaction and oil refining plants have been taken under the control of the company.
The total number of personnel employed in the oil and gas industry is about 36 thousand people (1980). The Algerian government promotes the development of the oil and gas industry by merging with foreign capital (up to 49%) while maintaining 51% of the shares in SONATRACH. The company conducts production and exploration for oil and gas in the Sahara jointly with the French firms "Total", "Compagnie Française de Pétrole", "Compagnie de Recherches et d`Activités Pétrolières", US companies ("Getty Oil Co."), Spain ("Hispanoil"), Germany ("Deminex"), Poland ("Copex") and Brazil ("Petrobras"). After the nationalization of mines and quarries (1966) in the mining industry of Algeria, the state company "SONAREM" completely controls the exploration, extraction, consumption and export of all solid minerals (the total number of employees is about 14 thousand people, 1980). The company includes 30 mines and quarries, conducts exploration in northern Algeria and the Sahara. Algeria is one of the leading producers of mercury. The extraction of iron ores and non-ferrous metals is insignificant.
Climate of Algeria
The climate of Algeria is subtropical Mediterranean in the north and tropical desert in the Sahara. Winter on the coast is warm and rainy (12 ° C in January), in the mountains - cool (2-3 weeks of snow), in the Sahara it depends on the time of day (below 0 ° C at night, 20 ° C in the daytime). Summers in Algeria are hot and dry. Annual rainfall ranges from 0-50 mm in the Sahara to 400-1200 mm in the Atlas Mountains.
Water resources of Algeria
All the rivers of Algeria are temporary streams (oueds) filled during the rainy season. The rivers of the far north of the country flow into the Mediterranean Sea, the rest are lost in the sands of the Sahara. They are used for irrigation and water supply, for which reservoirs and hydroelectric power stations are built on them. The largest river is Sheliff (700 km). The basins of lakes (sebkhas) are also filled during the rainy period, and in summer they dry up and are covered with a salt crust up to 60 cm thick. In the Sahara, in areas of large reserves of groundwater, the largest oases are located.
Flora and fauna of Algeria
In Algeria, the poor vegetable world. In some places in the mountains there are forests of cork oak, semi-desert and desert vegetation. Oak, olive, pine and thuja grow in the north of the country. The Sahara desert contains practically no vegetation, there are very few oases. The most characteristic species of animals for the country are jackals, hyenas, antelopes, gazelles, hares are also found.
Population of Algeria
During the era of the French conquest, the population of Algeria was approx. 3 million people. In 1966 it already reached 11.823 million people, and in 1997 - 29.476 million people. In 1996, the birth rate was 28.5 per 1,000 people and the death rate was 5.9 per 1,000 people. Infant mortality (children under one year old) is 48.7 per 1000 newborns. In the mid-1990s, ca. 68% of the population was under the age of 29.
Algiers was originally inhabited by peoples who spoke Berber languages. These peoples as early as 2000 BC. moved here from the Middle East. Most of the modern population uses the colloquial version in everyday life. Arabic. The Arabs settled in the territory of Algeria during the Islamic conquests of the 7th-8th centuries. and nomadic migrations of the 11th–12th centuries. The mixing of two waves of immigrants with the autochthonous population led to the emergence of the so-called Arab-Berber ethnic group, in cultural development which the Arabic element plays a dominant role.
As the main ethnic subgroup of Algerian society, the Berbers play important role in the life of the country. During the period of the Roman and Arab conquests of North Africa, many Berbers moved from the coast to the highlands. Berbers make up approximately 1/5 of the country's population. The largest concentration of the Berber population is found in the highlands of Djurdjura to the east of the capital, known as Kabylia. locals, Kabyles, settled in many cities of the country, but carefully preserve ancient traditions. Other significant groups of the Berber population are represented by the Shawiya tribal unions, originating from the mountainous region around Batna, the Mzabita, who settled in the territory of the oases of the Northern Sahara, and the Tuareg nomads living in the far south in the Ahaggar region.
After the conquest of Algeria by France in the 19th century. the number of the European part of the population increased, and by 1960 approx. 1 million Europeans. Most had French roots, the ancestors of the rest moved to Algeria from Spain, Italy and Malta. After Algeria's independence was proclaimed in 1962, most Europeans left the country.
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. State language is Arabic, but is still ubiquitous 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.
POPULATION: About 29.9 million people. Arabs of Algeria, descendants of the ancient Berbers and Arabs - 83%, Berbers - 15%. In addition, 60,000 Arabs from other countries, 40,000 French, 20,000 Spaniards, 10,000 Italians, 6,000 Turks, 5,000 Jews and other peoples live in the country.
LANGUAGE: Arabic, French is widely spoken.
RELIGION: 99% Muslim.
GEOGRAPHY: One of the largest and most developed countries in Africa, located in the north of the mainland. The territory of the country occupies the central part of the Atlas mountain system and the north of the Sahara desert. The relief of northern Algeria is represented by two main ranges - the Coast (or Tel Atlas) and the Saharan Atlas and intermountain plains. The highest point is Mount Tahat (3003 m) in the Ahaggar highlands. The territory of the Sahara is occupied by rocky deserts - hamads and sandy - ergs. The river network is poorly developed (the main river is the Shelif), most of the rivers dry up regularly. It borders with Morocco in the west, with Tunisia and Libya - in the east, with Niger, Mali, Mauritania - in the south. From the north it is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Algeria belongs to the countries of the Maghreb ("Arab West"). The total area of Algeria is 2381.7 thousand square meters. km.
CLIMATE: The climate of Algeria in the northern part is subtropical. Here, the average annual temperature is +16 C. The average temperature in January is +5-12 C, in July - 25 C, the amount of precipitation is up to 1200 mm. in the mountains and 200-400 mm. on the plains. The central and southern parts of the country, with a tropical climate, are occupied by the Sahara desert, where the average daily temperature fluctuations reach +30 C, and precipitation is less than 50 mm. in year. Dust storms and dry winds from desert areas are frequent.
POLITICAL STATUS: State structure- republic (actually a military regime). The head of state is the president. The head of government is the prime minister. The highest legislative body is the Parliament (unicameral National People's Assembly). Algeria is a member of the UN, IMF, OAU, League of Arab States, OPEC.
CURRENCY: Algerian dinar, equal to 100 centimes. The circulation of other currencies is prohibited, the use of credit cards and traveler's checks is difficult, only possible in the capital. Currency exchange can only be done in banks and official exchange offices.
TIME: Behind Moscow in summer - 3 hours, in winter - 2 hours.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS: The sights of Algeria include: the numerous ruins of the ancient cities of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Byzantines on the coast of the country. The capital of country - ancient city Algiers, spread out like an amphitheater on the hills near the bay of the same name. Most of the buildings are made of light-coloured building material, giving the city an elegant look. The Arab "kasbah" in the old part of the city is peculiar, with a bizarre mess of narrow streets and one-story houses with flat roofs, slender mosques and other buildings in oriental style. Among them are the mosque-tomb of Sidd Abdarrahman built in the 17th century and the mosque of Jami al-Jadid, the "old city", a museum ancient history and antiquity. In Oran - the Great Mosque (XVII century) and the citadel (XVIII century). Algiers has thousands of kilometers of excellent beaches, which are currently underused.
ENTRY RULES: Visa regime. The entry visa is valid for 30 days. Consular fee - 8 USD. Visa-free transit is not allowed. When crossing the border, you must present a passport with an entry visa and a completed card, which indicates: full name, gender, date and place of birth, citizenship, profession, address of permanent residence, passport number, time and place of issue, points destination, address of residence in the host country. In case of entry with children, their surnames, first names, date and place of birth are indicated on the back of the card. Russian citizens who have arrived for a period of more than 3 months are registered with the local police authorities with a "residence permit" card, while paying 400 dinars, those who have arrived for a period of up to 3 months are only registered. Due to the difficult situation in the ANDR and the special regime of residence, movement is allowed only accompanied by armed guards. When importing pets, you must present a veterinary certificate with a mark on vaccinations.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: The import of foreign currency is not limited (the declaration is obligatory). Upon entry, a convertible currency equivalent to 1000 Algerian dinars is exchanged. Failure to comply with the minimum exchange rules will result in the refusal of the customs service to carry out customs formalities. Violation of the exchange rules is punishable by law, up to criminal liability. Export of foreign currency is allowed. At the same time, it is necessary to present a declaration completed upon entry into the country to check the availability of currency, exchange operations carried out in Algeria for exported valuable items declared upon entry into the country. Persons not residing in Algeria are required to pay for air tickets in convertible currency at the official rate of the local dinar. Duty-free import is allowed (per person): cigarettes - 200 pcs., 100 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 gr. tobacco of the same brand, 2 l. wine or 1 liter. spirits, 50 g of perfume or 250 g of eau de toilette, 5 photographic films, 5 video and 5 audio cassettes, 1 carpet, personal jewelry and items made of gold, platinum and silver (completion of the declaration is mandatory), valuable items necessary for work - within the limits of necessity, household items within the limits of personal needs. It is forbidden to import: drugs, pornographic literature, weapons and ammunition, documentaries, recorded videotapes and other objects that are contrary to good taste, local customs and morals, animals and plants that are on the verge of extinction, objects of classical art. Under special permits of the relevant authorities, the following are imported: films, photo and video films, seeds and plants (a phytosanitary certificate is required), works of art, objects of archaeological value (attestation of cultural authorities is required), works of art and historical documents (permission from the Commission of the National People's Assembly is required).
Algeria on Africa map
(all images are clickable)
In northern Africa, the territory of the Algerian People's Republic adjoins the Mediterranean coast. Democratic Republic. The state of 2.4 million km² lies in the center of the Manshrib - the Arab West. Huge spaces (up to 80% of the area) are occupied by the expanses of the Sahara desert. The central part of the Atlas mountain range stretches along the Mediterranean coast.
Ancient Algeria attracts with its rich history, unique monuments and rich mineral resources.
Geographical position
The northern border of the country runs along the Mediterranean coast, it is 998 km. The total length of land borders is 6,343 km. Borders:
- In the south - with Niger and Mali;
- In the west - with Mauritania, Morocco and Western Sahara;
- In the east - with Libya and Tunisia.
The location of the country's territory in latitudes close to the equator determined the peculiarities of the climate in the region. Algeria is a hot country, vast desert areas are located in the tropical climate zone. The annual rainfall here does not exceed 50 ml. Therefore, most rivers do not have a constant flow, their channels are filled with water only during the short rainy season. The population is experiencing a severe shortage of water supply. Its main source are wells and artesian wells.
A strip of land 200-400 km wide adjacent to the Mediterranean coast has a Mediterranean climate type. The average annual temperature is +16 °C, the annual rainfall reaches 1200 mm per year.
Flora and fauna
The arid gravel and pebble desert of the Sahara does not have a wealth of flora and fauna. Of the woody plants, only in oases can one find the date palm. Cork oak grows in the coastal mountains at medium altitudes. Once the slopes of the Atlas were covered with dense cedar and pine forests, but due to their use for grazing, fires, and clearings, over time they turned into lifeless wastelands overgrown with shrubs.
State structure
Formally Algeria is a republic, but in reality there is a regime of military rule. The head of state is the president. Legislative power is represented by the Parliament (National People's Assembly).
The territory of the state is divided into administrative provinces (the local name is wilay), there are 48 of them and they have their own currency - the Algerian dinar.
Population
In terms of living standards, Algerians are in 104th place in the world. The population of the country is almost 40 million people. The main part (about 80%) are Arabs, Berbers are numerous (about 19%), various tribes live here, choosing the oases of the Sahara for settlements. Tuareg nomads settled in the extreme south.
You can also meet Europeans - French, Spaniards, Italians, Turks and Jews live in a hot country. Arabic is the official language, but French is also widely spoken. 99% of the population is Muslim.
The capital of Algeria is the largest city of the country with the same name and a population of 3.5 million people. Most major centers are the cities of Oran, Constantine and Anaba.
Economy
The mining industry is the foundation of the state economy. It brings more than 40% of GDP. The bowels of Algeria are rich in oil and ore minerals. There are large reserves of iron-manganese, copper, lead, antimony, arsenic ores and mercury. The rest of the industry is underdeveloped.
In the difficult conditions of the arid climate, the Algerians managed to build an agricultural industry based on farming. Preference is given to export crops; citrus fruits, dates, grapes, olives and tobacco are grown in the country. Livestock products cover the needs of the domestic market.
The first state, which was formed on the territory of the state of Algeria, was called Nu-midia. It was in the III century BC. e. It existed until the 5th century. Then the attractive coast of the Mediterranean Sea was captured by the Vandals, after which the Byzantines ruled here, and in the 7th century it passed into the power of the Arab Caliphate.
In the 13th century, a flood of Moors expelled from Spain poured into North Africa. They brought the culture of agriculture to the region and contributed to the development of agriculture.
Algeria was ruled by Spain for the next five hundred years. Ottoman Empire. France took over the country in the 19th century, making it their colony. During the Second World War, Algeria became a colony of fascist Italy and Germany. After its completion, the country again became dependent on France.
Only after numerous liberation wars Algerians The French state was forced to give freedom to the long-suffering country, recognizing its right to self-determination. On March 18, 1962, a new independent independent state appeared among the African countries.
Attractions
A magnificent historical monument in the open air is the capital itself - the city of Algiers. Its unique architecture is a mixture of ancient Arabic, Tuareg and Moorish cultures.
The main attractions of the state are:
- Ruins of ancient Phoenician, Byzantine, Roman and Carthaginian cities;
- Arab mosques XVII in the capital Sidd Abdarrahman and Jami al-Jadid;
- Citadel and Great Mosque in Oran.
Algeria is a country with rich cultural traditions. Many interesting customs have been preserved among the Berbers and Tuareg. Their national decorations and ornaments are world famous.
Algeria photo
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. To describe the economic activity of the 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 the central part of the Atlas mountain system and the Sahara desert. Northern Algeria is represented by folded ridges, 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