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ALGERIA
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
Geographic coordinates: 28 00 N, 3 00 E
Area:2,381,740 sq km
Coastline: 998 km
Climate: arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau
Languages: Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Population: 32,129,324 (July 2004 est)
Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1%
Capital: Algiers.
Government type: republic
Independence: July 5, 1962, from France.
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)
Economy: The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 60% of government revenues,30% of GDP, and almost all export earnings; Algeria has the fifth-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the second largest gas exporter; and it ranks fourteenth for oil reserves. Recent and planned investments in developing hydrocarbon resources are likely to increase growth and export earnings.
Religions: Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc
7/24/2008
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