Travellers by road in northern Algeria are at risk of attack by terrorist groups. One of these groups recently issued an explicit
threat to target non-Muslims. Algeria faces a serious internal security problem from terrorist insurgency. It is advised that
all travellers be extra cautious with personal security arrangements throughout their stay. All travel to the southeastern
provinces of Tamanrasset, Djanet and Illizi is currently advised against. Attacks from an armed insurgency of Islamist groups
have targeted security forces but have also launched indiscriminate attacks on civilians by bombs and raids on villages, and
on buses and vehicles, sometimes at false vehicle checkpoints. We suggest you visit one of the following government websites
for the latest risk assessment:
Algeria is situated along the North African coast, bordered to the east by Tunisia and Libya, to the southeast by Niger, to
the southwest by Mali, and to the west by Mauritania and Morocco. It is Africa’s second-largest country, with 1200km (750
miles) of coastline. Along the coastal strip are the main towns, fertile land, beach resorts and 90 per cent of the population.
Further south lies the area of the Hauts Plateaux, mountains of up to 2000m (6600ft) covered in cedar, pine and cypress forests with broad arable plains dividing the plateaux.
The remaining 85 per cent of the country is the Sahara Desert in its various forms, sustaining only 500,000 people, many of
whom are nomadic tribes with goat and camel herds. The oil and minerals boom has created new industrial centres like Hassi
Messaoud, which have grown up within previously barely inhabited regions of the northern Sahara. The plains of gravel and
sand in the deep south are interrupted by two mountain ranges: the dramatic Hoggar massif, rising to almost 3000m (9800ft), and the Tassili N’Ajjer or ‘Plateau of Chasms’. Both have long been important centres of Tuareg culture.
Government
Republic. Gained independence from France in 1962. Head of State: President Abdelaziz Bouteflika since 1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia since 2003. Recent history: In the 1990s, Algerian politics was dominated by the struggle involving the military and Islamic militants. Violence has
largely abated, although a state of emergency remains in place. More recently, the Government has also been confronted with
agitation from the country’s Berber ethnic minority pressing for greater cultural and political recognition. Despite limited
concessions to their demands – Tamazight, the Berber tongue, is now recognised as an official national language – Berber protests
have continued. Since the beginning of 1999, when President Zéroual announced his intention to step down, several elections
have been held in order to bolster the regime’s legitimacy. A new Presidential poll was arranged but under such tightly controlled
conditions that candidates who initially chose to oppose the official candidate eventually decided to boycott it. Abdelaziz
Bouteflika, formerly Algeria’s long-standing and respected Foreign Minister, was thus elected unopposed. A Parliamentary election
was held in May 2002, which was also subject to a partial boycott and returned the ruling FLN with a working majority in the
National Assembly. In 2003, in the general election, Ali Benglis of the FLN also won as Prime Minister. However, this election
recorded a low turnout and was marred by violence. In April 2004, Bouteflika emerged as President for a second term with an
overwhelming majority, although contentions continued.
Language
The official languages are Arabic and Berber (Tamazight), but French is still used for most official and business transactions.
Berber (Amazigh) is spoken in the northern mountainous regions of the Kabylias and the Aures and also in the south. In general,
English is spoken only in major business or tourist centres.
Religion
99 per cent of the population adhere to Islam.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. The European two-pin plug is standard.
SOCIAL CONVENTIONS
Courtesy should be adopted with new acquaintances. The provision and acceptance of hospitality are as important a part of
Algerian culture as elsewhere in the Arab world. In the main cities, the urban population lives at a frantic pace much akin
to European urban dwellers, but in the south and in rural areas people are much more open and friendly. Algerian women are
expected to dress modestly in rural areas but this is not necessary in Algiers. Homosexuality is illegal and punishable by
imprisonment. Tourist visits should be avoided during Ramadan. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix. Photography: Military installations and personnel should not be photographed. Visitors are advised to make sure there is nothing that
could be of a governmental or military nature around their prospective photographic subject.
Overview 
