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Extensible Markup Language | 1995-06-13 | 5KB | 19 lines

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?> <!DOCTYPE card PUBLIC "-//Apple, Inc.//DTD card V 2.0//EN" "" > <card> <id>3924</id> <filler1>0</filler1> <cantDelete> <false /> </cantDelete> <showPict> <true /> </showPict> <dontSearch> <false /> </dontSearch> <owner>5472</owner> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="stylesheet_3106.css" /> <content> <layer>background</layer> <id>31</id> <text>ALGERIAOfficial name: El Djemhouria El Djaza├»ria Demokratia Echaabia (the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria)Member of: UN, OAU, Arab League, OPECArea: 2381741 km2 (919595 sq mi)Population: 27030000 (1993 est)Capital: Algiers (El Djaza├»r or Alger) 1722000 (1989; including suburbs)Other major cities: Oran (Ouahran) 664000, Constantine (Qacentina) 449000 (1989; including suburbs)Languages: Arabic (official; 83%), French, Berber (17%)Religion: Sunni Islam (official; over 99%)GOVERNMENTThe constitution provides for the election of a President, who is head of state and of government, and a 296-member National PeopleΓÇÖs Assembly by universal adult suffrage every five years. In 1992 the constitution was suspended and a military council was appointed.GEOGRAPHYOver 85% of Algeria is covered by the Sahara Desert. To the north lie the Atlas Mountains, which enclose a dry plateau. In the southeast are the Hoggar mountains, with AlgeriaΓÇÖs highest point, Mount Tahat (2918 m / 9573 ft). Along the Mediterranean coast are plains and lower mountain ranges. Climate: The Mediterranean climate along the coastline is characterized by hot summers, mild winters and adequate rainfall. In the Sahara, it is hot and arid.ECONOMYPetroleum and natural gas are the main exports and important industries are based on oil and gas. Civil strife is adding to severe economic problems, which include high unemployment. Farmers and farm workers account for over 20% of the adult population, but lack of rain and suitable land mean that Algeria has to import two thirds of its food. The small amount of arable land mainly produces wheat, barley, fruit and vegetables, while arid pasturelands support sheep, goats and cattle. Currency: Algerian dinar.HISTORYAfter the fall of Carthage in 146 bc, coastal Algeria became Roman. In the 7th century the Arabs brought Islam despite initial Berber resistance. Several Berber empires flourished in the Middle Ages. In the 16th century, Turkish corsairs defended Algiers against the Spanish, and placed the region under Ottoman control. During the 18th century, Algeria became a center for piracy and in 1830 the French invaded on the pretext of protecting trade. Colonization followed, and coastal Algeria was attached to metropolitan France. By 1860 much of the best land was in French hands.Nationalist riots in S├⌐tif were ruthlessly suppressed in 1945, and in 1954 the Front de Lib├⌐ration Nationale (FLN) initiated a revolt that became a bitter war. A rising by French settlers, in favor of the integration of Algeria with France, led to the crisis that returned de Gaulle to power in France (1958). Despite two further risings by the settlers, and the activities of the colonistsΓÇÖ terrorist organization, the OAS, Algeria gained independence in 1962. The first president, Ahmed Ben Bella (1916ΓÇô ), was overthrown in 1965 by Colonel Houari Boum├⌐dienne (1932ΓÇô78), who established a one-party socialist state under the FLN. After his successor, Colonel Chadli Benjedid (1929ΓÇô ), introduced multi-party democracy (1990), Islamic fundamentalism became a political force. In 1992 the second round of multi-party elections was cancelled when fundamentalists gained a large lead in the first round. The military took power and suspended political activity. In 1994 the struggle between the military and fundamentalists became more violent. Thousands of people were killed in the unrest in which intellectuals and foreigners working in Algeria were assassinated by fundamentalists.</text> </content> <name>Algeria</name> <script></script> </card>