Algeria
Country Info
Who's who
Country Info
Algeria
Geography and People
TopGeneral
Short Name: Algeria
Official Name: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
Local short form: Al Jaza'ir
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
Area: 2,381,740 sq km
Capital: Algiers
Independence: 5 July 1962 (from France)
National Holiday: Revolution Day, 1 November (1954)
Constitution: 19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November 1988, 23 February 1989, and 28 November 1996
Population: 33, 333, 216 (200 est.)
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Ethnicity: Arab-Berber 99 per cent, European less than 1 per cent
Languages: Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Religions: Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99 per cent, Christian and Jewish 1 per cent
TopGeography
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
Geographic Co-ordinates: 28 00 N, 3 00 E Area: 2,381,740 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas
Land Boundaries: total:6,343km border; countries: Libya 982km, Mali 1,376km, Mauritania 463km, Morocco 1,559km, Niger 956km, Tunisia 965km, Western Sahara 42 km
Coastline: 998km
Maritime Claims: territorial sea 12nm, exclusive fishing zone 32-52nm
Climate: arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer
Terrain: mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow, discontinuous coastal plain
Elevation Extremes: lowest point: Chott Melrhir -40m; highest point: Tahat 3,003m
Natural Resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc
Geography – note: second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan)
Political System
TopPolitical System
Algeria is a republic with Islam as its state religion. The executive branch led by the president wields more power than the bicameral legislature and judicial branch.
The President
The president is the head of state, guarantor of the constitution and wields control within the limits defined by the constitution. His duties include commanding the armed forces, conducting foreign policy, presiding over the cabinet, signing decrees, pardoning and reducing criminal punishments, bringing referendums to the people and awarding state medals, decorations and titles. His appointment powers include the prime minister, ambassadors, the head of the Algerian bank, the President of the Council of State, magistrates, walis, and other civil and military posts. The president is elected to a five-year term by an absolute majority via direct, secret and universal suffrage. He is eligible to be re-elected one time.
President: Abdelaziz Bouteflika (15 April 1999)
Legislative
Legislative power is divided between the People's National Assembly and the National Council. The People's National Assembly is elected directly by the electorate for five-year terms, while two-thirds of the National Council is elected by the electorate and the other one-third is selected by the president for six-year terms. The two bodies pass draft laws, with the National Council needing a three-fourths majority to enact a law passed by the lower chamber.
Executive
The prime minister is selected by the president and submits a programme to the legislature. His other duties include overseeing the execution of laws, presiding over the Council of Government and issuing executive decrees.
Prime Minister: Abdelaziz Belkhadem (since May 2006)
Judiciary
Magistrates have independent power to protect society and liberties. They answer to the High Magistrate Council. The council -- which is presided over by the president -- appoints, promotes and transfers magistrates. The High Court of State rules over accusations of high treason committed by the president or prime minister.
