Political Overview
Algeria operates as a semi-presidential republic, with power historically concentrated in a military-civilian elite known as *Le Pouvoir*. Since independence from France in 1962, the National Liberation Front (FLN) dominated politics until multi-party elections were introduced in 1989. However, the military retains significant influence, as seen in its intervention to cancel elections in 1991 when Islamist parties neared victory, triggering a decade-long civil war . The 2019 Hirak protests ousted President Bouteflika after 20 years in power, but his successor, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, re-elected in 2024 amid low voter turnout and opposition boycotts, reflects continuity in the regime’s authoritarian tendencies . Recent amendments to the Penal Code (2024) criminalize dissent under broad “national security” terms, further eroding freedoms of expression and press . Algeria’s political landscape remains fractured, with limited space for credible opposition and ongoing tensions between Arab and Amazigh communities over cultural recognition .
Cultural Heritage and Identity
Algeria’s cultural identity is a dynamic blend of Arab, Amazigh (Berber), and French influences, rooted in its history as a crossroads of Mediterranean and Saharan civilizations. Islam, practiced by 99% of the population, shapes daily life and legal frameworks, while the Amazigh language gained constitutional recognition as a national language in 2024, reflecting decades of activism . French colonization (1830–1962) left enduring linguistic and cultural imprints, with French widely used in education and media, though post-independence governments emphasized Arabization . Traditional arts like *raï* music and literature by figures such as Assia Djebar highlight Algeria’s creative resilience, while cuisine—featuring couscous, *merguez* sausage, and mint tea—embodies its agrarian and colonial past . Despite state efforts to promote a unified Arab-Islamic identity, generational and ideological clashes persist, particularly between conservative religious values and globalized youth culture .
Geographical Landscape and Climate
Algeria is Africa’s largest country, spanning 2.38 million km², with over 80% covered by the Sahara Desert. The fertile Tell region along the Mediterranean coast hosts 90% of the population and features a Mediterranean climate, marked by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers . Southward, the Tell Atlas and Saharan Atlas mountain ranges encircle the High Plateaus, a semi-arid steppe, before giving way to the Sahara’s extreme aridity, where temperatures exceed 55°C and rainfall is virtually absent . Natural resources like petroleum, natural gas, and uranium underpin the economy, while agriculture thrives in the Tell’s valleys, producing wheat, olives, and citrus . Environmental challenges, including desertification and seismic activity in the north, compound the vulnerabilities of this geographically diverse nation .
