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After a century of rule by France, Algeria became independent in 1962. The surprising first round success of the fundamentalist FIS (Islamic Salvation Front) party in December 1991 balloting caused the army to intervene, crack down on the FIS, and postpone the subsequent elections. The FIS response has resulted in a continuous low-grade civil conflict with the secular state apparatus, which nonetheless has allowed elections featuring pro-government and moderate religious-based parties. FIS's armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, dissolved itself in January 2000 and many armed insurgents surrendered under an amnesty program designed to promote national reconciliation. Nevertheless, some residual fighting continues. Other concerns include large-scale unemployment and the need to diversify the petroleum-based economy.
Located in Northern Africa, betweem Tunisia and Morocco
Covers 2,381,740 sq km of land and no major fresh-water resources. (Approx. 3.5 times the size of Texas, USA)
Second largest African country (Sudan is slightly larger)
The terrain consists mostly of high plateau and desert, but does contain some mountainous, and coastal plains land
Natural resources include: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc
Unemployment Rate: 30%
Major Exports: petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products
Major Imports: capital goods, food and beverages, consumer goods
Population of 31,193,917
Gender ratio is almost an equilibrium with 1.08 males per female.
99% of Algerians are Arab in descent
99% of Algerians are religiously Muslim
National language: Arabic
Official Name: Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria
Local Language Common-form: Al Jaza'ir
2-Letter Data Code: AG
Capital: Algiers
Regional Break-up: 48 Provinces
Independance: 5 July 1962 (from France)
National Holiday: Anniversary of Revolution (November 1)
National Debt: $30 billion US
Chief of state: President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999)
Head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed BENBITOUR (since 2 December 1999)
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