Algeria
Table of Contents: Regions / Cities / Other destinations / Culture and History / Electricity / Travel to Algeria, visa requirements Flights to Algeria, airtickets By train By car Buses to Algeria By boat / Get around / Talk / Shopping, Algeria souvenirs / Good restaurants and cheap meals / Algeria nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs. / Hotels, youth hostels, lodging / Learn / Work / Stay safe / Stay healthy / Respect / Contact More from North Africa: Algeria, Atlas Mountains, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Western Sahara More from Africa: Central Africa, East Africa, North Africa, Saharan Africa, Seychelles, Southern Africa, West Africa |
Algeria is a country in North Africa. It has a Mediterranean Sea coastline in the north. It is surrounded by Morocco to the northwest, Tunisia to the northeast, Libya to the east, Niger to the southeast, Mali to the southwest, Mauritania and Western Sahara to the west. After Sudan, Algeria is the second-largest country in Africa.
Regions
- Algiers Province - the metropolitan area around the capital
- Northeast Algeria - the extensive mountains and high plains east of Algiers
- Northwest Algeria - the mountainous coastal area west of Algiers
- Saharan Atlas - the mountain range inland of the high plateaus
- Saharan Algeria - the vast desert in the south of the country
Cities
- Algiers - Capital
Other destinations
Culture and History
Much of recent Algerian history has been dominated by civil wars and subsequent warlordism. That said, the country is gradually restoring order and will prove an interesting - if difficult - destination.
Electricity
Officially 220V 50Hz. Outlets are the European standard CEE-7/7 "Schukostecker" or "Schuko" or the compatible, but non-grounded, CEE-7/16 "Europlug" types. Generally speaking, U.S. and Canadian travelers should pack an adapter for these outlets if they plan to use North American electrical equipment in Algeria.
Travel to Algeria, visa requirements
Flights to Algeria, airtickets
Regular direct flights from:
Spain: Barcelona, Madrid & Alicante
France: All major cities
Italy: Rome & Milan
UK: London Heathrow,Gatwick.
Germany: Frankfurt,Berlin.
Switzerland:Geneva ,basel.
Belgium:Brussels.
Canada:Montreal.
Turkey:Istanbul.
Russia:Moscow.
United Arab Emirates:Dubai,Sharajh and Ajman.
Morocco: Casablanca.
Tunisia: Tunis.
Lebanon: Beirut.
Qatar: Doha.
Egypt: Cairo.
By train
You can reach Algeria by train from Tunisia, but you will have to change the train at the border post. Trains are reasonable, but less comfortable than in Europe. The border between Algeria and Morocco is closed, so there are neither buses nor trains from Morocco.
By car
The only realistic way to reach Algeria by car is across the Tunisian border, as the Moroccan border is closed. The Mauritanian and Malian borders present some security problems as well. Note that if you want to get into Algeria from Niger or from the Tozeur border post in southern Tunisia you'll have to contract an official guide to go with you across the Saharian routes, otherwise police will not allow you to get into Algeria with your car. There are no problems at all if you want to get into Algeria from Tunisian border posts in the north.
Buses to Algeria
By boat
From/to Spain:
- Alicante to Algiers and Oran
- Almeria to Gazhaouet
- Barcelona to Algiers and Oran
From/to France:
- Marseille to almost every Algerian harbour (Annaba,Skikda,Bejaia,Jijel,Algiers,Oran)
From/to Italy:
- Napolis to tunis & take a road for 1 hour
- Roma(civitavecchia) to tunis & take a road for 1 hour
Get around
In Oran, taxis are very cheap, and a few dinars to go a couple of miles. Buses are almost the same. If you have 2-4 people, taxis are cheaper.
Talk
The official language is Arabic. Be warned, though, that North African (Maghrebi) Arabic is quite a different dialect to that spoken in other parts of the Arab World (such as Egypt). The influence of the French language has resulted in different vocabulary and pronunciation.
French, the former colonial language, is still widely spoken, particularly in urban areas.
Algeria's Berber (Tamazigh) population also hold strongly to their own languages, which are different again.
Arabic-sabah al khair - means Welcome; Arabic-sabah ol khayr - means Good Morning; Arabic-ahlan/Marhaba - means hello; Beber-Azul - also means Hello.
Note: Usually only the young generation in Algeria understand English, but most people are able to communicate in French.
Shopping, Algeria souvenirs
Dates
Ghardaia Carpets
Kabyl jewelry and pottery
Touaregs jewelry
Good restaurants and cheap meals
fettate (Sahara specialty, Tamanrasset)
taguella (bread of sand)(nomade speciality)
Couscous
Chorba (soup with meat)
Rechta
Chackchouka
Mechoui
Qalb El Louz (dessert)
Algerian pizza
Beklawa
Ktayef
Tajine
Variety of Mediterranean juices & teas
Algeria nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Tango Beer is available in most urban areas. Some of the local red wine is palatable.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
Learn
Work
Stay safe
Despite many Western Foreign Offices will advise you against travelling to Algeria you must know that the terrorism is, at April 2005, focused only in certain areas in the evening. These are: Chlef, Ain Defla, Relizane, Laarba, Medea, and Collo. Do not travel by night, travel by plane if you can instead of by car, avoid minor roads, ask the police if you are not sure about a region, and nothing should happen. (please keep in mind that, as with all non-current and unfinished advisories, one should never trust any third-hand information about the safety of a foreign country)
Stay healthy
Algiers is frequently struck by power cuts, which subsequently means that refrigerated foods may go bad. As a result one should take extra care when eating in restaurants, as there is a high possibility of getting food poisoning.
Mosquitoes are also a problem in Algeria, but are simply nuisances, because malaria is not common. In urban areas there are often anti-mosquito measures taken, such as city-wide spraying of mosquitoes in order to cut down their numbers.
When travelling in Algeria one should always use sun protection.
Respect
As in all of North Africa, the majority religion is Islam and the normal religious prohibitions and attitudes will apply. When visiting a mosque, for example, be sure to remove your shoes as well as dress conservatively. The exact situation regarding alcohol is not the same around the country, some conservative cities do not have any bars or liquor stores. Keep in mind to only drink at home or in a bar, never on the street.
Also, given the recent political strife, talking politics is probably not advisable.
Contact
More from North Africa: Algeria, Atlas Mountains, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Western Sahara More from Africa: Central Africa, East Africa, North Africa, Saharan Africa, Seychelles, Southern Africa, West Africa |
China travel tips: Language / pensions culture in Barcelona / cheap youth hostels singapore / hotels and hostels in Trastevere in Rome / Major Morocco tourist attractions / South Africa political attractions / Vancouver visitors guide, culture & youth hostels / Las Vegas hotels, top casinos, tours and shows
