Algeria is located on the south-western part of the Mediterranean Sea. Its area is around 2.4 million sq km. It is the largest country on the Mediterranean Sea, and the 2nd largest country in the Arab world and in Africa. Check out Algeria photos to view the beautiful landscape including the Atlas mountains, beaches and the Sahara desert.

The official name of Algeria is the "People's Democratic Republic of Algeria". The name is spelled in Arabic as al-Jazair, Djazair, al-Jazaer, Djazaer or Dzayer. Algiers is the capital of Algeria. Other main cities in Algeria include Oran, Constantine, Annaba, Tamanrasset and Tizi Ouzou.

Algeria has several World Heritage sites, including the Beni Hammad Castle, Tipasa ruins, Djemila ruins, Timgad ruins, M'Zab Valley, the Casbah of Algiers citadel, and Tassili N'Ajjer national park and mountain range. Algeria tourism sector is developing due to the wealth of beautiful natural sites, and ruins from various civilizations.

Algerian economy is mainly based on oil and agriculture.

The estimated population of Algeria is 35.7 millions. The main spoken languages are Arabic, Tamazight (Berber) and French.

Algerian music (specially Rai and Shaabi) has gained popularity in France, Spain and other European countries.

Algerian food is similar to other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. Some of the Algerian national dishes include merguez, couscous, chakchouka, karantita and pastilla.