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Travel Information on Algeria
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Algeria (DZ)
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| Continent: |
Africa |
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| Area: |
2,381,740 km² |
| Population: |
333,570 |
| Capital city: |
Algier |
ISO code: |
DZ |
| National language: |
Arabic, French |
International dialling code: |
+213 |
| Currency: |
Algerian Dinar |
Licence plate number: |
DZ |
| Flight routes from Algeria: |
531 |
Flight routes to Algeria: |
816 |
| Popular airports: |
Algiers (ALG),
Constantine (CZL),
Batna (BLJ),
Oran (ORN),
Tlemcen Zenata (TLM),
Bejaia (BJA),
Jijel (GJL),
Setif (QSF),
Hassi Messaoud Oued Irara (HME),
Bechar Leger (CBH)
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| Large cities: |
Algier,
Wahran,
Constantine,
Batna,
Bab Ezzouar,
Annaba,
Sidi Bel Abbès,
Ech Chettia,
Bejaia,
Skikda,
El Achir,
Médéa,
Bechar,
El Eulma,
Saïda
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| Airlines based in Algeria: |
Air Algérie,
Antinea Airlines
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Country in north-western Africa.
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The Democratic Peoples Republic of Algeria is situated north-west of Mauritania, Morocco and the Western Sahara, bordering in the south on Mali and Niger and in the east on Libya and Tunisia.
Geography: Algeria’s landscape is very diverse and primarily determined by different types of desert, which take up about 85% of the country’s area. In the east of Algeria is the large Erg, an inhospitable sand desert with enormous sand dunes extending into the neighbouring country Tunisia. In the south of the country on the border to Niger is the Ahaggar mountain range, also the location of the highest point in Algeria, the Tahat measuring 2,918 m (9573 ft). The surface of this rocky mountain range transforms towards the west and east to form a sand and rubble desert called the Erg. North of the Erg is the Sahara Atlas, a mountain chain of almost 2000 m (6561 ft) in altitude, running parallel to the coast and forming a border between Algeria’s inhospitable south and the fertile and populated flatlands on the coast.
Mountains and rivers: the highest point in Algeria is the Tahat with 2,918 m (9573 ft). The Ahaggar mountain range originated from a volcanic eruption and is famous for its bizarre rocky landscape and the many rock paintings providing evidence that the oases around the mountains were already populated very early on. The longest river of the country is the Chéliff, 725 km (450 miles) long. Algeria is a land of saline lakes and the largest of these are the Chotts of Chergui, Mehrihr and Hodna that are to be found in the south of the country.
Climate and best time to visit: the best time to travel in Algeria is before and after the summer months as the temperatures between May and September are very high and overland transfers and domestic flights are often accompanied by heavy sandstorms. More than 90% of Algeria’s inhabitants live in the north of the country where the weather is often sticky and where only the sea breeze provides a short respite from the heat. There is no annual rainy season. Only on the coast is there a small amount of precipitation, whereas it may not rain for years in the southern regions.
Language and communication: the official and national language is Modern Standard Arabic. In the south of Algeria, the inhabitants almost exclusively speak Berber languages. Knowledge of French is advantageous as the population uses the French language in education and trade.
Health and vaccinations: vaccination against hepatitis A, typhoid, diphtheria, polio and tetanus is recommended. Long clothing should be worn to provide protection against mosquitoes and other insects, and a locally purchased insect repellent should also be used. Medical care is only sufficient in some larger towns. Visitors are advised to take out comprehensive medical and travel insurance that covers repatriation costs. A first aid kit should be packed and fruit and vegetables peeled or boiled before being eaten.
Entry requirements: British nationals need a visa to visit Algeria and must obtain these from the Algerian Embassy before travelling. The Embassy will only accept passports valid for more than 3 months. Any surplus Algerian currency must be declared on departure.
Some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country. For further information on exact requirements at immigration please contact the Algerian Embassy in London.
For more information on vaccination and entry requirements please consult the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.
Arrival and onward journey: many airlines operate flights to Algiers (ALG) from all European hubs. Algeria’s national airline Air Algérie (AH) flies direct from London Heathrow (LHR) and other London airports to Algiers Houari Boumediene (ALG) and also serves many domestic destinations such as Oran (ORN), Annaba (AAE), Constantine (CZL) or the oases of Ouargla (OGX) and Ghardaia (GHA).
Capital city: the capital Algiers has a population of 2 million and is the cultural centre of the country as well as the transport hub of the entire state. Algiers and the surrounding area has more than 5 million inhabitants and has been populated since antiquity due to its convenient location on the Mediterranean sea. Attractions include the Bardo Museum, the National Gallery, the Kasbah dating from the 16th century, several mosques that were erected in the course of the centuries and colonial buildings from the time of the French and Turkish occupations. In 1992 the entire old town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also of interest and worth seeing are the ruins of Tipsa 50 km west of Algiers and likewise on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. The town was founded by the Phoenicians and later extended by the Romans into a military colony and, together with the famous ruined city of Leptis in Libya, is one of the most important testimonies to the Roman Empire.
Places of interest and beaches: the most popular of tourist attractions in Algeria besides the ancient ruined cities on the Algerian Mediterranean coast must be the inhospitable Sahara desert. Although hardly any life exists in most of the desert regions, they attract visitors especially during the winter. During the winter season it may be very difficult to find accommodation in some of the oases. The oases of Algeria do not comply with the expectations of most western visitors as they do not represent small places with palm trees but are often larger towns surrounded by high walls and enclosing numerous gardens, mosques and monuments. A good starting point for exploring the Sahara is the oasis of Ghardaia, populated by the old Islamic Mozabite sect.
The small oasis of Djanet in the Sahara desert in the south east of Algeria is also worth seeing. The oasis is on a high plateau of volcanic origin, which is crossed by numerous ravines. The rocky ravines of Djanet were originally formed by large rivers, which partly still flow underground. The rocks are famous for their paintings that are up to 6000 years old, amongst the oldest pieces of evidence of human settlement.
The coast of Algeria is ideal for beach holidays and Zéralda is a picturesque and not too overrun beach town. The beaches around Oran, the second largest city in Algeria, are also wonderful. Les Andalouses is probably the most significant tourist resort around Oran, providing the best water sports facilities on the whole of the Algerian coast and with excellent hotels in the upper price category. Those looking for relaxation will, however, also find dream beaches with turqoise water and rocky coves east of Algiers.
Religion: 99% the population of Algeria are Sunni Muslims; there is also a minority of Catholics and Protestants.
Major Cities and accommodation: Algiers, Oran, Constantine, Bantna, Annaba and Setif.
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Favourite Flights and Cheap Flights from and to Algeria / DZ
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