|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Algeria | Introduction | Top of Page |
| Background: | 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, disbanded itself in January 2000 and many armed militants surrendered under an amnesty program designed to promote national reconciliation. Nevertheless, residual fighting continues. Other concerns include large-scale unemployment and the need to diversify the petroleum-based economy. |
| Algeria | People | Top of page |
| Population: | 31,736,053 (July 2001 est.) |
| Nationality: | noun: Algerian(s) adjective: Algerian |
| Ethnic groups: | Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1% |
| Religions: | Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1% |
| Languages: | Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects |
| Algeria | Government | Top of Page |
| Country name: | conventional
long form: People's
Democratic Republic of Algeria conventional short form: Algeria local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah local short form: Al Jaza'ir |
| Government type: | republic |
| Capital: | Algiers |
| Administrative divisions: | 48 provinces (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen |
| Independence: | 5 July 1962 (from France) |
| Constitution: | 19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November 1988, 23 February 1989, and 28 November 1996; note - referendum approving the revisions of 28 November 1996 was signed into law 7 December 1996 |
| Political parties and leaders: | Democratic National
Rally or RND [Ahmed OUYAHIA, chairman]; Islamic Salvation Front
or FIS (outlawed April 1992) [Ali BELHADJ and Dr. Abassi MADANI
(imprisoned), Rabeh KEBIR (self-exile in Germany)]; Movement
of a Peaceful Society or MSP [Mahfoud NAHNAH, chairman]; National
Liberation Front or FLN [Boualem BENHAMOUDA, secretary general];
Progressive Republican Party [Khadir DRISS]; Rally for Culture
and Democracy or RCD [Said SAADI, secretary general]; Renaissance
Movement or EnNahda Movement [Lahbib ADAMI]; Social Liberal Party
or PSL [Ahmed KHELIL]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Hocine
Ait AHMED, secretary general (self-exile in Switzerland)]; Union
for Democracy and Liberty [Mouley BOUKHALAFA]; Workers Party
or PT [Louisa HANOUN] note: a party law banning political parties based on religion was enacted in March 1997 |
| Flag description: | two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-color boundary; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam (the state religion) |
| Algeria | Economy | Top of Page |
| Economy - overview: | The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the fifth-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the second largest gas exporter; it ranks fourteenth for oil reserves. Algiers' efforts to reform one of the most centrally planned economies in the Arab world stalled in 1992 as the country became embroiled in political turmoil. Algeria's financial and economic indicators improved during the mid-1990s, in part because of policy reforms supported by the IMF and debt rescheduling from the Paris Club. Algeria's finances in 2000 benefited from the spike in oil prices and the government's tight fiscal policy, leading to a large increase in the trade surplus, the near tripling of foreign exchange reserves, and reduction in foreign debt. The government continues efforts to diversify the economy by attracting foreign and domestic investment outside the energy sector, but has had little success in reducing high unemployment and improving living standards. |
| Industries: | petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing |
| Currency: | Algerian dinar (DZD) |
