Algeria

Located in North Africa, Algeria is bordered by Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Western Sahara, Morocco, and the Mediterranean Sea.

Capital is Algiers.

Languages are Arabic, Berber, French, and Tamazight.

Population, 44,700,000. Size, 2,381,741 km^2.

Currency is Algerian dinar.

Religion is Sunni Islam.

Major cities include Oran, Bilda, Constantine, and Annaba.

National dishes are Algerian couscous, harira, and tli tli b’djedi. Principal crops include wheat, oat, barley, and pulses.

Algeria is the biggest country in Africa. It is called the "country of cherries and dates". Algeria has the highest cost of living in North Africa and one of the largest economies on the continent. 75% of Algerians consider themselves Arabs. Life for citizens revolves around the sacred bond of family. There is a notion of layered identify that pertains to extended family, the tribe, the village, and national psyche.

There are fairly large differences in climate. The long coastline with coastal areas have a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and cool, rainy winters. Summers are hot and dry in the highlands. Sandstorms are present in January, February, and March.

Algeria cut poverty by 20 percent in the past two decades. 4/5 of Algeria is covered by the Saharan desert. Their national animal is the fennec fox. Algeria is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites.