What is the origin of the name Algeria?
The name Algeria derives from the city of Algiers, which comes from the Arabic word for islands referring to four small islands that once sat off its coast before being connected to the mainland.
Common questions about Algeria
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did the French invade and capture Algiers?
The French invaded and captured Algiers in 1830, beginning a conquest that would last over a century and result in the deaths of approximately 825,000 indigenous Algerians.
When did Algeria gain complete independence?
Algeria gained complete independence in 1962 following the March 1962 Evian agreements and the July 1962 self-determination referendum.
What percentage of Algeria's budget revenues comes from hydrocarbons?
Hydrocarbons account for roughly 60 percent of Algeria's budget revenues, 30 percent of GDP, and 87.7 percent of export earnings.
Who are the largest Berber groups in Algeria?
The largest Berber groups in Algeria are the Kabyles who live in the Kabylie region east of Algiers and the Tuaregs who inhabit the southern desert.