Brief information
Due to the not very calm political situation, tourists do not often choose Algeria for recreation. Meanwhile, Algiers could become one of the most popular countries among foreign tourists, because there are numerous ruins of ancient Roman cities, the amazing Sahara desert, oases, mosques, as well as pristine beaches on the Mediterranean coast.
Geography of Algeria
Algiers is located in North Africa. In the east, Algeria borders on Libya, in the northeast – on Tunisia, in the southwest – on Western Sahara, Mauritania and Mali, and in the southeast – on Niger. In the north, the country is washed by the Mediterranean Sea. The total area of this state is 446,550 sq. km., and the total length of the state border is 6,343 sq. km.
In the south of Algeria there is a fairly large part of the Sahara desert, which occupies about 80% of the entire territory of this country. To the north are the Atlas Mountains. The highest local peak is Mount Tahat, whose height reaches 2,906 meters.
The capital
According to allpubliclibraries.com, the city of Algiers is the capital of the State of Algiers. About 2.5 million people now live in this city. According to archeology, the city of Algiers was founded by the Arabs in 944 AD. on the site of an ancient Roman settlement.
Official language of Algeria
The two official languages are Arabic and Berber.
Religion
Almost the entire population of this North African country is Muslim.
State structure of Algeria
According to the Constitution, Algeria is a parliamentary republic, headed by the President, who is elected for 5 years. The President is also the head of the army, the Council of Ministers and the Supreme Security Council.
The bicameral Algerian parliament consists of the Senate (144 senators) and the People’s Assembly (462 deputies).
According to cancermatters.net, the main political parties are the National Liberation Front, the National Democratic Association and the Green Algiers.
Administratively, the country is divided into 48 provinces, 535 districts and 1,541 communes.
Climate and weather
The climate on the northern coast is Mediterranean, while in the Sahara it is desert. Summers on the coast are hot and dry, while winters are wet and rainy.
The northern part of the Sahara is best visited from September to May, and the southern part from October to April. Rest on the Mediterranean coast, of course, is best in the summer.
Sea in Algiers
In the north, the country is washed by the Mediterranean Sea. The length of the coastline is 998 km. The average water temperature off the coast in March is +14C, and in August – +25C.
Rivers and lakes
Algerian rivers fill with water during the rainy season. The longest of them is the Sheliff River (700 km).
Culture of Algeria
Algerian culture was formed on the basis of Islam. Islam governs all aspects of Algerian life – they pray five times a day, and Fridays are considered non-working days. For Algerians, the concepts of honor and dignity are very important.
Kitchen
Algerian cuisine has been influenced by Arabic, Berber, Turkish and French culinary traditions. Algerian dishes can be light, very spicy, with lots of spices. Especially Algerians manage to cook very tasty fish and meat dishes.
Tourists are advised to try “Couscous” (a semolina-based dish often served with chicken, lamb, or fish), “Chorba” (meat stewed in tomato with lentils), “Berkoukes” (shredded pasta with semolina) and ” Chakchoukha (flatbread with pieces of braised lamb).
Traditional non-alcoholic drinks – mint tea, coffee (drink it sweet).
Algeria makes good wines, especially red ones. Most of the local wine is exported.
Attractions Algiers
On the territory of modern Algeria there are numerous ruins of ancient cities (this is, first of all, Tipaza and Timgad). Without a doubt, they will arouse great interest among tourists. In addition, Algerian attractions, of course, include local bazaars, mosques and fortresses. So, for example, in the city of Algiers, we recommend seeing the Grand Mosque, the Sidd Abdarrahman Mosque, as well as the Museum of Ancient History and Antiquity.
There are 7 monuments of history, culture and architecture in Algiers, which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. These are, for example, ancient rock paintings in Tassilin-Ajer, located in the Sahara Desert.
We recommend that you definitely visit the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Tipaza, located on the sea coast (this site is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List). The Romans founded their settlement there in the 1st century AD. on the site of a small Carthaginian city. The ruins of the theater, the Great Basilica, the amphitheater, the Basilica of Alexander, the nymphaeum, the Basilica of St. Salsa and the baths have survived to this day in Tipaz.
The UNESCO World Heritage List also includes the amazing Tassilin-Adjer National Park.
Cities and resorts
The largest cities are Algiers, Oran, Constantine, Djelfa, Batna, Setif and Annaba.
Algerian beaches cannot be called the best in the Mediterranean, because. recreational infrastructure is not developed there. However, they have great potential. The best Algerian beaches are located on the Turquoise Coast (Turquoise Coast), in the Oran region, as well as near Canastel, Les Andalouses, Ain El Turk and Sablettes.
Algeria has good conditions for water sports, including scuba diving, surfing and sailing.
Souvenirs/Shopping
In Algeria, tourists buy handicrafts, ceramics, leather and copper products, carpets, clothes, and jewelry.
Office Hours
Banks: Sun-Thu: 09:00-15:30
Shops: Sat-Thu: 09:00-12:00 and 14:00-19:00 Some shops are also open on Fridays.
Visa
Ukrainians need to apply for a visa to visit Algeria.
Currency of Algeria
The Algerian dinar is the official currency in Algeria. Its international designation is DZD. One Algerian dinar = 100 centimes. Credit cards and travelers checks are not widely accepted and are only accepted in big cities and beach resorts.
Customs restrictions
Foreign currency can be imported without restrictions, and exported as much as was declared upon entry.
It is forbidden to import plants, pornographic materials, firearms and ammunition, drugs, gold, jewelry.
To import cats and dogs, you need an international veterinary certificate. Also, a certificate is needed for the import of birds. You cannot import falcons (but Algerian officials can give special import permission in some cases).
For the export of objects of archeology, history and culture, you need to obtain a special permit.
Useful phone numbers and addresses
Embassy of Algeria in Ukraine:
Index: 01014, Kiev, st. Zverinetskaya, 76a
T: (044) 286-76-88
Email. mail: [email protected]
Embassy of Ukraine in Algeria:
Address: 19, rue des freres Belhafid, Hydra, Alger, Algerie
T: (213) 21 69 13
87 mail: [email protected]
Emergency numbers
14 – Fire brigade
17 – Police
021-73-53-50 – Ambulance
Time
Behind Kyiv for 2 hours. Those. if, for example, in Kyiv 13:00, then in the city of Algiers – 11:00.
Tips
The fee usually ranges from 10 to 15% of the invoice amount (most often it is 10%). The maid at the hotel is usually given 90-100 dinars per day.
Medicine
Before traveling to Algeria, doctors recommend making preventive vaccinations against yellow fever, typhoid, malaria, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
Security
Traveling in Algeria (especially in large cities) is quite safe, but you should remember that this is a Muslim country. We recommend avoiding areas that you do not know, especially in the evenings and at night. Take reasonable precautions.
