Algeria.

Algeria is the largest country in Africa by area, dominated by the Sahara Desert, with a Mediterranean coastline that hosts most of its population and capital Algiers — a UNESCO casbah of layered Arab and French heritage.

Geography & landscape

Algeria sits in Northern Africa, in the northern hemisphere of Africa. With an area of approximately 2,381,741 km², it is a continental-scale country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the sub-tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Algiers, lies near coordinates 28°, 3°.

The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Africa, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Northern Africa region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Algeria.

People & society

The population of Algeria is around 45M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.

Algeria recognises multiple official languages — Arabic and Berber — reflecting the cultural plurality at the heart of national life. The choice of language often shifts with region, audience and context.

Government & politics

Algeria is structured as a semi-presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Algiers, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.

Economy & currency

The official currency of Algeria is the Algerian Dinar (DZD). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Algiers and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.

Culture & everyday life

The cultural footprint of Algeria shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Algeria through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.

Travel essentials

The capital, Algiers, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +213, and clocks are set to the CET (UTC+1) time zone. ISO standards identify Algeria as DZ (alpha-2) and DZA (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇩🇿, appears at every border post and on every passport.

By the numbers

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Did you know?

Algeria is the largest country in Africa by area — 80% of the country is covered by the Sahara desert.