Algeria was settled by the Berbers, who lived in small communities in northern Algeria around 2000 BCE. In 106 BCE, Algeria became part of the Roman empire; the country retains much architecture reflecting that period (though a lot of the country, including Algiers, suffered heavy damage during a 6.8-magnitude earthquake on May 21, 2003).
The Vandals and the Byzantines occupied Algeria until the arrival of Islam in the 8th century. Piracy reigned along the famed Barbary Coast for 400 years. In 1830, the French occupied Algeria and remained for 132 years, until 1962 when Algeria gained its independence .
Algeria is bordered by Morocco and Mauritania to the west, Tunisia and Libya to the east and Mali and Niger in the south. The second largest country in Africa, Algeria is about 3.5 times the size of Texas. Algeria's capital, Algiers, is on the fertile central Mediterranean coast, where 90 percent of Algeria's population lives.
The weather in Algeria: The coastal region has hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. In the high plateau, summers are very hot and winters dry and cold. Siroccos (sand/dust storms) are common in mid-summer. Temperatures in Algiers average about 26 C (78 F) in the summer and 13 C (55 F) in the winter. In the desert, daytime temperatures can reach 43 C (110 F) with nighttime lows of 10 C (50 F). Winter snow is common in the mountains.
Algeria's official languages are Arabic and Tamazight, one of the main Berber dialects. Berber is spoken by some 6 million indigenous people in northern Algeria. French is widely used in the press, in business and on the street. Islam is the predominant religion; 99 percent of Algerians are Sunni Muslim and 1 percent are Christian or Jewish.
Do not use public transportation or taxis in Algeria due to security concerns (though taxis, municipal and intercity buses, trains, ferries and domestic airlines offer flights with relative efficiency). Algeria's primary international airport, Houari Boumedienne International (ALG), is approximately 20 km (12.4 miles) from Algiers. Coordinate travel so that you arrive and depart the airport during daylight hours; ensure you are picked up by a trusted party at the airport.
Postal service is slow and unreliable. All mail should be posted from upscale hotels or the post office directly. Fax services are available at upscale hotels. International calls can be placed from most modern hotels (ask about surcharges), some post offices and phone offices; in Algiers and Constantine, phone offices are open 24 hours. The phone system is not modern. International calls can take hours to connect. Algeria has a GSM 900 and 1800 service and an NMT-900 system with coverage in and around major metropolitan areas. Internet cafes are available in large urban areas (mostly in Algiers).
Conservative Western attire is appropriate in the larger cities. Women especially should opt for clothing that does not draw undue attention; dresses below the knee, long sleeves and looser-fitting clothes. Women should always travel in a group or with a trusted male associate to shield them from unwanted advances or sexual harassment. Women targeted by unwanted advances should make their displeasure known in a loud, public fashion and, if the behavior persists, seek assistance from the police.
Algeria presents substantial security concerns. Violent crime, including armed robbery and carjacking, is prevalent, especially in Algiers. Patronize only upscale hotels with augmented security, such as the Sheraton or Sofitel in Algiers. Overland travel outside Algiers is extremely dangerous. Terrorists and criminals posing as police or military personnel set up roadblocks where they stop, rob and sometimes kill unsuspecting travelers. Only travel in convoys with security detail and never travel at night.
Terrorism is a serious concern outside major cities in Algeria. While the civil war in place since 1992 is nearly over, Islamist militant groups, especially the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) continues to stage regular attacks.
Kidnapping is also a concern: GSPC members kidnapped 32 European tourists in February 2003 and held them for two months. Authorities rescued more than a dozen of the tourists, and the rest were released unharmed.
Demonstrations over economic issues are on the rise and often result in riots that may force the closure of inter-city roads for 24-48 hours. The government has banned all public demonstrations in Algiers. Unrest in the Berber regions east of Algiers is on the decline but demonstrations are still relatively common in the Kabylie region. Strained relations continue between Algeria and Morocco over the disputed Western Sahara region. As a result, the Algeria-Morocco border is closed.
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