Overlooked by many travellers, the country is bursting with beauty waiting to be discovered. From the bustling markets of Algiers to the pristine beaches of its Mediterranean coast, from the jaw-droppingly beautiful mountains of the north to the mesmerising deep reaches of the Sahara desert to the south, there is something for almost everyone to explore. Enjoy traditional cuisine, explore the ancient ruins, take in the breathtaking views, and then breathe in a world where few travellers tread.
Algeria, and in particular Algerian hospitality, will leave a lasting impression on your heart and mind. Algeria is officially known as the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria. Although the term "People's Republic" is commonly associated with communist states, Algeria is not a communist country. The term was adopted primarily because Algeria gained its independence through a revolutionary struggle against France.
Algeria is a multi-party republic with a strong executive branch led by a president. The president is both the head of state and the commander in chief of the army, and is elected by popular vote for a five-year term.
Legislative power is vested in the two chambers of Parliament, the Council of the Nation and the People's National Assembly. Algeria covers an area of 2,, square kilometres , sq mi , making it the world's tenth-largest country and the largest country in Africa. It is slightly larger than Mexico , four times smaller than the United States , and nearly times larger than Africa's smallest country, Gambia.
The history of Algeria can be traced back to the earliest civilisations that inhabited the region and beyond. The earliest known inhabitants of Algeria were the Berber people, who have inhabited the region since at least 10, BCE. From the 8th century BCE, Phoenician traders established trading posts along the North African coast, introducing the region to the wider Mediterranean world, and were the first to settle Hippo Regius , now Annaba.
