Since 1992, Algeria has been torn apart by a brutal Islamic
insurgency and harsh counter-measures taken by the government
to suppress the movement.
The Islamists launched their campaign of bombings,
throat-slashings and other attacks after the Algerian army
canceled a parliamentary vote that the Islamic Salvation
Front was poised to win. An estimated 60,000 civilians have
been massacred in the campaign of terror.
The insurgents want a government based on their strict
interpretation of the Islamic holy book, the Koran. Such a
government would require women to cover their heads, ban
alcohol and institute compulsory Koranic education.
Many secular Algerians oppose such aims.
Land and People | History |
| Travel | Financial | Weather
DEMOGRAPHICS
- Population:
- 29,830,370
- Average life span:
- 68 male; 70 female
- Average income (US$):
- $1,830
- GDP per capita (US$):
- $3,800
- Literacy rate:
- 62%
THE LAND AND ITS PEOPLE
- Capital:
- Algiers
- Size:
- 919,595 square miles (2,381,751 sq. km)
- Political leaders:
- President Liamine Zeroual
- Government type:
- Republic
- Religions:
- Islam (99%, mostly Sunni)
- Languages:
- Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
HISTORY
- 145 BC to 440 AD -- Roman Colony (Numidia)
- 440 AD -- conquered by Vandals
- 650 AD -- conquered by Muslims
- 1518 -- controlled by Turkey
- 1830 -- colonized by France
- 1962 -- Algerian independence
- 1992-present -- Algeria torn by violence between Islamic fundamentalists and government forces.
FINANCIAL
- Monetary unit:
- Algerian Dinar
CNN TRAVEL INFORMATION
CNN WEATHER INFORMATION
- Forecasts:
- Algiers
- Annaba
- Oran
- Skikda
- Forecast and satellite maps:
- Africa forceast map
- Africa satellite image