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ALGERIA

Flag The flag of Algeria has a vertical band of green on the hoist side and a vertical band of white on the right side. In the center of the flag are a red crescent and a red five-pointed star. The crescent and star are traditional symbols of the Islamic faith. White, green, and red are traditional Arab colors. Anthem Country and Development J J

Population: 34,586,184 Area, sq. mi.: 919,590 Area, sq. km.: 2,381,741 Adjusted for women: 88 of 156 countries Real GDP per capita: 7,740 Adult literacy rate: 84% (male); 66% (female) Infant mortality rate: 28 per 1,000 births Life expectancy: 71 (male); 74 (female) Backround Climate Algeria, with an area of 919,590 square miles (2,381,741 square kilometers), is the world's tenth largest and Africa's second largest country. It is about three and a half times the size of Texas. About 90 percent of the population inhabits the northern coastal region, called the Tell. In Algiers, the capital, the average daily high temperature in January is 61°F in August it is 86°F. Temperatures in the interior of Algeria can be much hotter, and it is hot and usually very dry

History Algeria's earliest inhabitants were not a regular people, but collectively they were called Berbers (from the Greek word barbaros, or barbarian) by Greeks and Romans. The term was accepted by successive invaders and is still used by non-Berbers today. A movement among native Berbers has developed to collectively call themselves Imazighen (Amazigh, singular), meaning “free men.” Algeria was conquered by the Phoenicians, whose Carthaginian Empire flourished (ca. 800–146 BC) until its destruction by the Romans. The Romans and then the Vandals held the coastal region until the Umayyad (Arab) invasion in the seventh century AD. The cities of Algiers, Oran, Constantine, and Annaba owe their development to this period. The Umayyads introduced Islam to the Imazighen, who in the eighth century regained control of the region and established their own Islamic territory. Population Algeria's population of 34.6 million is growing by 1.18 percent yearly. About 67 percent of the population lives in urban areas, which are concentrated in the northern coastal region. Algiers, the capital and largest city, has roughly three million people. The country's second-largest city, Oran, has about one million. Other major urban areas include Constantine, and Serif. Verbal Arabic is the official language. Tamazight, spoken by Imazighen, is also a national language; it has many regional variants. French, the primary language of business before 1992, is less prominent but remains important. Algerian Arabic incorporates many French words into daily speech. Standard Arabic is used for school instruction, government administration, and media reports. The Algerian dialect is used in casual conversation. Its vocabulary is primarily Arabic, but Amazigh influences its grammar and pronunciation. Intake Rural or traditional men and women eat separately. In many urban homes, the father serves the meat, and each person takes portions of other foods from serving dishes. The eldest is served first. State families are more likely to eat from a shared bowl, males then females. Buildings Most Algerians live in city areas in the northern coastal region. Algiers, Oran, Sétif, and other cities are densely populated, and many people live in crowded apartments with members of their extended family. Most Algerians want to own a home or apartment, but housing prices have rapidly increased in recent years, making ownership out of reach for many urban residents. Many young Algerians do not want to marry until they can achieve financial independence and move out of their parents' home. However, urban housing shortages, combined with unemployment and high costs of weddings, have forced many young Algerians to put off marriage until it is more affordable. Series of life Muslims believe that the body of a deceased person must be buried as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours of the person's death. The body is ritually washed, wrapped in sheets, and carried to the mosque, where prayers are offered. The burial is then performed in a cemetery. Mourning family members and friends gather on certain days to pray for the deceased and read from the Qur'an. Economy Algeria's main exports include crude oil, other petroleum products, and natural gas. With four major natural gas deposits, Algeria holds about 3 percent of the world's total reserves. Agriculture employs about one-quarter of the labor force, but the country is not self-sufficient in food production. Transportation Most highways are paved, but desert roads are less reliable. Some people have cars but more rely on buses, especially in major cities. Travel by train is possible but not popular. Seven international airports link Algeria's major cities with other countries. Learning