Africa’s Largest Country and One of the World’s Largest Saharan Nations
Algeria is Africa’s largest country by area (2,381,741 km²) — about three and a half times the size of Texas. The country gained that distinction in 2011 when South Sudan separated from Sudan; previously Sudan held the title. Roughly 80% of Algeria is the Sahara Desert, which leaves the population of nearly 47 million concentrated in the fertile northern coastal strip facing the Mediterranean.
The country gained independence from France in 1962 after a brutal eight-year war (1954-1962) that killed an estimated 300,000-1.5 million Algerians and left lasting wounds in both Algerian and French politics. The war’s legacy continues to shape contemporary France-Algeria relations and was a transformative moment in the broader history of decolonisation.
Modern Algeria has been governed for most of its independence period by the National Liberation Front (FLN), the party that led the independence struggle. The country navigated a brutal civil war (1991-2002) between the government and Islamist insurgents that killed an estimated 150,000-200,000 people, and more recently the 2019 Hirak protest movement that ended the 20-year presidency of Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Abdelmadjid Tebboune has been president since 2019.
Algeria sits on substantial natural gas reserves — the country is one of Europe’s most important gas suppliers, particularly since the 2022 reduction in Russian gas exports.
A Brief History
The territory has been inhabited for thousands of years by Amazigh (Berber) peoples, who remain ethnically the majority of Algerians despite the demographic dominance of Arabic-speaking populations. Phoenician trading posts along the coast were followed by Roman rule (Algeria was a major Roman grain-producing province), then Vandal, Byzantine, and Arab Muslim conquest (7th-8th centuries).
Ottoman rule from the 16th century. French colonisation from 1830 — among the most extensive and demographically transformative European colonial projects, with around 1 million pieds-noirs (French settlers) living in Algeria by independence.
The Algerian War of Independence (1954-1962) was one of the most brutal anti-colonial struggles. Independence on 5 July 1962.
The Algerian Civil War (1991-2002) — between the secular government and Islamist movements — killed an estimated 150,000+ people. The 2019 Hirak movement ended Bouteflika’s 20-year presidency peacefully.
Geography and Climate
Algeria covers 2,381,741 km² — Africa’s largest country since 2011. The Sahara Desert covers approximately 80% of the country.
Culture, Language and Religion
Arabic and Tamazight (Berber) are co-official; French is widely used. Approximately 99% Muslim (Sunni).
The Economy
Algeria has a upper-middle-income hydrocarbons-dependent economy (~$240 billion GDP in 2024). Key sectors: oil and gas (Algeria is one of Europe’s largest gas suppliers), agriculture, manufacturing.
Cuisine
Algerian cuisine is part of the broader Maghrebi tradition:
- Couscous — the national dish (UNESCO heritage with neighbours)
- Tajine — slow-cooked stew (similar to Moroccan)
- Mechoui — whole roasted lamb
- Brik — fried filled pastry
- Mint tea — the social beverage
Nature and UNESCO Sites
Algeria has 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Casbah of Algiers, Roman ruins of Tipasa, Djemila, and Timgad, Tassili n’Ajjer (Saharan rock art), the M’Zab Valley, and the Al Qal’a of Beni Hammad.
Travel Guide
Entry & Best Seasons
Most Western nationalities require a visa, often arranged through tour operators. October-April is best for northern Algeria; November-February for the Sahara.
Budget
Mid-range $80-$150 per day.
Surprising Facts
- Algeria became Africa’s largest country in 2011 when Sudan split with the independence of South Sudan.4
- The Algerian War (1954-1962) killed an estimated 300,000 to 1.5 million Algerians and around 27,000 French — one of the bloodiest wars of decolonisation.6
- Albert Camus — the Nobel Prize-winning French author — was born in Algeria in 1913 to French colonial parents.6
- Tassili n’Ajjer in southern Algeria contains rock art dating back 10,000 years, including images suggesting the Sahara was once a green savanna.1
- The Algerian football team — known as Les Fennecs (the Desert Foxes) — won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.3
- Algeria is one of the largest gas exporters to Europe, with pipelines via Italy and Spain.5
Sources and References
See the list of cited sources in the page frontmatter.