Algeria

Capital : Algiers

Size: 920 000 sq m Popn: 26 346 000

History

Originally inhabited by the Berbers, Algeria went through a similar pattern of conquests to Morocco. Much of its northern coastal area was part of the Punic kingdom of Numidia. The surrounding land had always been owned by Carthage and became part of the Roman Africa Province when it fell. The interior of the country is largely covered by the Sahara desert. During the medieval period, it came under Islamic political and religious control.

Between 1830 and 1847, Algeria was conquered by France despite strong resistance under Abd al Kadir. The national identity appears to have been formed in reaction to the French from whom it became independent, after 'one of the bloodiest and most destructive anti-colonial struggles ever', in 1962. In 1965, the leader Ben Bella was deposed by Colonel Boumedienne.

In 1990, a chamber of deputies dominated by Islamic fundamentalists was elected but the election results were nullified in 1991. An Islamic terrorist campaign reached its height in 1995-7 and there were border disputes with Morocco.

After independence, Europeans fled and Algerian Jews were driven out leaving a population 99% Sunni or Malekite Muslim. Arabic is the official language with 25% speaking a Berber dialect and French still common in the cities.

Algerian Names

Most of these are Arabic or Berber.

Male

Female

Surnames

This collection of names was compiled by Kate Monk and is ©1997, Kate Monk.

Copies may be made for personal use only.