Political overview

Algeria officially the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria is a presidential republic with a president as head of state and a prime minister leading the government. The country’s administrative units are called wilayas (provinces), which handle local governance across its long north south territory; the national capital is Algiers, a major Mediterranean port and political center. Algeria’s modern politics are shaped by the legacy of the independence struggle and by powerful state institutions; national life is organised around national parties, civil administration, and regional authorities centered in the wilaya capitals.

Cultural heritage and identity

Algeria’s identity is a rich blend of Arab, Amazigh (Berber), Mediterranean and French influences. Arabic and Tamazight are official languages, French remains widely used, and local traditions from the desert music and crafts of the south to Raï music (which rose to international attention from Oran) give the country a distinctive cultural voice. Algeria is internationally recognized for its UNESCO-listed treasures (the Casbah of Algiers, the M’Zab Valley, Tassili n’Ajjer) and for the powerful story of its independence movement, all of which shape how the country is known around the world.

Geographical landscape, area and climate

Algeria is the largest country in Africa and the Arab world, dominated by the vast Sahara Desert (covering roughly four-fifths of the land) and a narrow fertile northern strip on the Mediterranean. The coastal Tell and the higher Atlas ranges create a Mediterranean climate (mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers) in the north, while the interior and south are arid to hyper-arid with dramatic features such as the Hoggar (Ahaggar) Mountains and the otherworldly rock formations of Tassili n’Ajjer. These landscapes make Algeria a strong draw for visitors interested in Roman ruins (Timgad, Djemila), coastal cities (Algiers, Oran, Constantine) and Sahara tourism (oasis towns, camel treks and Saharan night skies).