Algeria

 


Find out some interesting information about Africa's largest country, Algeria, and print out our useful flag printables...

Sandstone cliffs in the Sahara Desert, Algeria
Strange sandstone cliffs in the Sahara Desert, Algeria

Learn About Algeria

Geography of Algeria

  • The People's Democratic Republic of Algeria is Africa's largest country, stretching from the Sahara desert to the Mediterranean Sea.
  • The majority of Algerians are Sunni Muslims with Arab-Berber roots. Tuaregs are nomadic Berber people from the desert, noted for their indigo veils called 'alasho'.
  • The world's largest hot desert, the Sahara, covers 80% of the country. In the Great Erg you can climb sand dunes which are 150 feet high!
  • Most of the desert is covered with rocky plateaus called 'hamada', which have no sand.
  • In the M'Zab Valley, fortified cities called 'ksour' were built in the 11th century. They enabled the Ibadi to survive life in the inhospitable desert.
  • Algeria has a wealth of natural resources. Oil and natural gas exports earn over $50 billion a year.
  • Tourism has not become a major industry, compared to neighbours Morocco and Tunisia. Despite many attractions, travel is difficult in this vast country.
  • Algiers is the capital city, with a population of 3.5m.
  • Also in Algeria is the notorious Barbary Coast, a base for pirates who launched raids as far away as the coast of England for slaves and booty.

Algeria's History

  • Algeria was part of the Roman empire. The impressive remains at Timgad, a colony for retired soldiers, includes Trajan's Arch and 12 bathhouses.
  • Algiers, an ancient Phoenician city named after islands off the coast, was taken by the Ottomans prior to being capital of French Algeria from 1830. Visitors can marvel at the white stone buildings, the ancient casbah, and the Great Mosque dating to the 14th century.
  • Algeria won independence from France in 1962.

Algeria's Food

  • Couscous is the national dish served with grilled meat, vegetables and chickpeas. Sweet cakes flavoured with honey and almonds are very popular.

The Algerian Flag

Algeria Flag

The Algerian flag is made of two equal stripes, one green and one white. In the middle is a star and crescent, the sign of Islam. The green colour represents nature, the white represents peace and the red represents the blood of those killed fighting during the Algerian war. The flag was adopted when the war ended, in July 1962.


Our Algeria Resources

Algeria Booklet

Algeria Booklet

Print and fold this little booklet featuring the Algerian flag, then use it to store notes on the country. You could build up a whole library about the countries of Africa! Folding instructions are here.

Algeria Bookmarks

Algeria Bookmarks

Here are four sets of bookmarks featuring the Algeria flags. Two have the name of the country, two are blank; two are for colouring in and two are ready-coloured.

Algeria Flag Jigsaw

Algeria Flag Jigsaw

Here's a clever way to remember the flag of Algeria - try it as a jigsaw! You will find instructions and cutting guides here.

 

Algeria Location Worksheet

Algeria Location Worksheet

Give the children this location worksheet to test their geographical knowledge a little. Can they find Algeria on this map and colour it in, and do they know the name of the capital city?

Algeria On Map Of Africa

Algeria On Map Of Africa

This printable shows where Algeria is located on a map of Africa. Print and use as part of topic work or classroom displays, or use with our Algeria worksheets.

Algeria Worksheet

Algeria Worksheet

Here's a simple worksheet to help the kids learn about Algeria, with some fact-finding questions and a map to test their geography skills...

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