2012 Edition

Background

After more than a century of rule by France, Algerians fought through much of the 1950s to achieve independence in 1962. Algeria's primary political party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), was established in 1954 as part of the struggle for independence and has largely dominated politics since. The Government of Algeria in 1988 instituted a multi-party system in response to public unrest, but the surprising first round success of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in the December 1991 balloting led the Algerian army to intervene and postpone the second round of elections to prevent what the secular elite feared would be an extremist-led government from assuming power. The army began a crackdown on the FIS that spurred FIS supporters to begin attacking government targets, and fighting escalated into an insurgency, which saw intense violence between 1992-98 resulting in over 100,000 deaths - many attributed to indiscriminate massacres of villagers by extremists. The government gained the upper hand by the late-1990s, and FIS's armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded in January 2000. Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA, with the backing of the military, won the presidency in 1999 in an election widely viewed as fraudulent. He was reelected to a second term in 2004 and overwhelmingly won a third term in 2009 after the government amended the constitution in 2008 to remove presidential term limits. Longstanding problems continue to face BOUTEFLIKA, including large-scale unemployment, a shortage of housing, unreliable electrical and water supplies, government inefficiencies and corruption, and the continuing activities of extremist militants. The Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) in 2006 merged with al-Qa'ida to form al-Qa'ida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb, which has launched an ongoing series of kidnappings and bombings targeting the Algerian Government and Western interests. The government in 2011 introduced some political reforms in response to the Arab Spring, including lifting the 19-year-old state of emergency restrictions and increasing women's quotas for elected assemblies. Parliamentary elections in May 2012 and municipal and provinicial elections in November 2012 saw continued dominance by the FLN, with Islamist opposition parties performing poorly. Political protest activity in the country remained low in 2012, but small, sometimes violent socioeconomic demonstrations by disparate groups continued to be a common occurrence. Parliament in 2013 is expected to revise the constitution.

Area

2,381,741 sq km 2,381,741 sq km 0 sq km

total

2,381,741 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas

Climate

arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer

Coastline

998 km

Elevation extremes

Chott Melrhir -40 m Tahat 3,003 m

highest point

Tahat 3,003 m

lowest point

Chott Melrhir -40 m

Environment - current issues

soil erosion from overgrazing and other poor farming practices; desertification; dumping of raw sewage, petroleum refining wastes, and other industrial effluents is leading to the pollution of rivers and coastal waters; Mediterranean Sea, in particular, becoming polluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, and fertilizer runoff; inadequate supplies of potable water

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

6.07 cu km/yr (22%/13%/65%) 185 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

185 cu m/yr (2000)

total

6.07 cu km/yr (22%/13%/65%)

Geographic coordinates

28 00 N, 3 00 E

Geography - note

largest country in Africa

Irrigated land

5,700 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

6,343 km Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km, Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km

border countries

Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km, Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km

total

6,343 km

Land use

3.17% 0.28% 96.55% (2005)

arable land

3.17%

other

96.55% (2005)

permanent crops

0.28%

Location

Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 32-52 nm

exclusive fishing zone

32-52 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and floods in rainy season

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc

Terrain

mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow, discontinuous coastal plain

Total renewable water resources

14.3 cu km (1997)

Age structure

27.8% (male 5,318,100/ female 5,072,373) 67.2% (male 12,743,060/ female 12,363,782) 5% (male 854,036/ female 1,015,875) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

27.8% (male 5,318,100/ female 5,072,373)

15-64 years

67.2% (male 12,743,060/ female 12,363,782)

65 years and over

5% (male 854,036/ female 1,015,875) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

24.4 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

3.7% (2005)

Death rate

4.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

4.3% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1% although almost all Algerians are Berber in origin (not Arab), only a minority identify themselves as Berber, about 15% of the total population; these people live mostly in the mountainous region of Kabylie east of Algiers; the Berbers are also Muslim but identify with their Berber rather than Arab cultural heritage; Berbers have long agitated, sometimes violently, for autonomy; the government is unlikely to grant autonomy but has offered to begin sponsoring teaching Berber language in schools

Health expenditures

5.8% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1%; note - no country specific models provided (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

18,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.7 beds/1,000 population (2004)

Infant mortality rate

23.4 deaths/1,000 live births 25.3 deaths/1,000 live births 21.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

21.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

23.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official), French (lingua franca), Berber dialects: Kabylie Berber (Tamazight), Chaouia Berber (Tachawit), Mzab Berber, Tuareg Berber (Tamahaq)

Arabic (official), French (lingua franca), Berber dialects

Kabylie Berber (Tamazight), Chaouia Berber (Tachawit), Mzab Berber, Tuareg Berber (Tamahaq)

Life expectancy at birth

74.73 years 72.99 years 76.57 years (2012 est.)

female

76.57 years (2012 est.)

total population

74.73 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 69.9% 79.6% 60.1% (2002 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

60.1% (2002 est.)

male

79.6%

total population

69.9%

Major cities - population

ALGIERS (capital) 2.74 million; Oran 770,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

97 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

28.1 years 27.9 years 28.4 years (2012 est.)

female

28.4 years (2012 est.)

male

27.9 years

total

28.1 years

Nationality

Algerian(s) Algerian

adjective

Algerian

noun

Algerian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

1.207 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

37,367,226 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

1.92% (2012 est.)

Religions

Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 98% of population rural: 88% of population total: 95% of population urban: 2% of population rural: 12% of population total: 5% of population

rural

12% of population

total

5% of population

urban

2% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 13 years 13 years (2005)

female

13 years (2005)

male

13 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.86 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.78 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

24.3% (2006)

total

24.3% (2006)

Urbanization

66% of total population (2010) 2.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

66% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

48 provinces (wilayat, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen

Capital

Algiers 36 45 N, 3 03 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

36 45 N, 3 03 E

name

Algiers

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

8 September 1963; revised 19 November 1976; effective 22 November 1976; revised several times

Country name

People's Democratic Republic of Algeria Algeria Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah Al Jaza'ir

conventional long form

People's Democratic Republic of Algeria

conventional short form

Algeria

local long form

Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah

local short form

Al Jaza'ir

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Henry S. ENSHER 05 Chemin Cheikh Bachir, El-Ibrahimi, El-Biar 16000 Algiers B. P. 408, Alger-Gare, 16030 Algiers [213] 770-08-2000 [213] 21-60-7355

chief of mission

Ambassador Henry S. ENSHER

embassy

05 Chemin Cheikh Bachir, El-Ibrahimi, El-Biar 16000 Algiers

FAX

[213] 21-60-7355

mailing address

B. P. 408, Alger-Gare, 16030 Algiers

telephone

[213] 770-08-2000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Abdallah BAALI 2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 265-2800 [1] (202) 667-2174

chancery

2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Abdallah BAALI

FAX

[1] (202) 667-2174

telephone

[1] (202) 265-2800

Executive branch

President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999) Prime Minister Abdelmakek SELLAL (since 3 September 2012) Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held on 9 April 2009 (next to be held in April 2014) Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA reelected president for a third term; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA 90.2%, Louisa HANOUNE 4.2%, Moussa TOUATI 2.3%, Djahid YOUNSI 1.4%, Ali Fawzi REBIANE less than 1%, Mohamed SAID less than 1%

cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999)

election results

Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA reelected president for a third term; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA 90.2%, Louisa HANOUNE 4.2%, Moussa TOUATI 2.3%, Djahid YOUNSI 1.4%, Ali Fawzi REBIANE less than 1%, Mohamed SAID less than 1%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held on 9 April 2009 (next to be held in April 2014)

head of government

Prime Minister Abdelmakek SELLAL (since 3 September 2012)

Flag description

two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-color boundary; the colors represent Islam (green), purity and peace (white), and liberty (red); the crescent and star are also Islamic symbols, but the crescent is more closed than those of other Muslim countries because the Algerians believe the long crescent horns bring happiness

Government type

republic

Independence

5 July 1962 (from France)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BIS, CAEU, CD, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (or High Court) regulates activities of courts and tribunals; Council of State regulates body of activities of the administrative jurisdictions; Tribunal of Conflicts settles conflicts between the Supreme Court and the Tribunal of Conflicts

Legal system

mixed legal system of French civil law and Islamic law; judicial review of legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed of various public officials including several Supreme Court justices

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the Council of the Nation (upper house; 144 seats; one-third of the members appointed by the president, two-thirds elected by indirect vote to serve six-year terms; the constitution requires half the Council to be renewed every three years) and the National People's Assembly (lower house; 462 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) Council of the Nation - last held on 29 December 2009 (next to be held in December 2012); National People's Assembly - last held on 10 May 2012 (next to be held in 2017) Council of the Nation election of 29 December 2009 - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; National People's Assembly election of 10 May 2012 - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 221, RND 70, AAV 47, FFS 21, PT 17, FNA 9, EL Adala 7, MPA 6, PFJ 5, FC 4, PNSD 4, other 32, independents 19

election results

Council of the Nation election of 29 December 2009 - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; National People's Assembly election of 10 May 2012 - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 221, RND 70, AAV 47, FFS 21, PT 17, FNA 9, EL Adala 7, MPA 6, PFJ 5, FC 4, PNSD 4, other 32, independents 19

elections

Council of the Nation - last held on 29 December 2009 (next to be held in December 2012); National People's Assembly - last held on 10 May 2012 (next to be held in 2017)

National anthem

"Kassaman" (We Pledge) Mufdi ZAKARIAH/Mohamed FAWZI adopted 1962; ZAKARIAH wrote "Kassaman" as a poem while imprisoned in Algiers by French colonial forces

lyrics/music

Mufdi ZAKARIAH/Mohamed FAWZI

name

"Kassaman" (We Pledge)

National holiday

Revolution Day, 1 November (1954)

National symbol(s)

star and crescent; fennec fox

Political parties and leaders

Algerian Popular Movement or MPA; Front for Change or FC; Front for Justice and Development or El Adala; Green Algeria Alliance or AAV (includes Movement for National Reform, Islamic Renaissance Movement, and Movement of the Society of Peace or Hamas); Movement of the Society of Peace or MSP [Boudjerra SOLTANI]; National Democratic Rally (Rassemblement National Democratique) or RND [Ahmed OUYAHIA]; National Liberation Front or FLN [Abdelaziz BELKHADEM, secretary general]; National Party for Solidarity and Development or PNSD; National Reform Movement or Islah [Ahmed ABDESLAM]; New Dawn Party or PFJ; Oath of 54 or Ahd 54 [Ali Fauzi REBAINE]; Rally for Culture and Democracy or RCD [Said SADI]; Islamic Renaissance Movement or EnNahda Movement [Fatah RABEI]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Hocine AIT AHMED]; Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUNE] a law banning political parties based on religion was enacted in March 1997

Political pressure groups and leaders

The Algerian Human Rights League or LADDH [Mostefa BOUCHACHI]; SOS Disparus [Nacera DUTOUR]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle

Budget

$79.32 billion $84.29 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$84.29 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$79.32 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4% (31 December 2010 est.) 4% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8% (31 December 2012 est.) 8% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$19.95 billion (2012 est.) $19.7 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$4.344 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $4.661 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

35.3 (1995)

Economy - overview

Algeria's economy remains dominated by the state, a legacy of the country's socialist post-independence development model. In recent years the Algerian Government has halted the privatization of state-owned industries and imposed restrictions on imports and foreign involvement in its economy. Hydrocarbons have long been the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the 10th-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the sixth-largest gas exporter. It ranks 16th in oil reserves. Strong revenues from hydrocarbon exports have brought Algeria relative macroeconomic stability, with foreign currency reserves approaching $200 billion and a large budget stabilization fund available for tapping. In addition, Algeria's external debt is extremely low at about 2% of GDP. However, Algeria has struggled to develop non-hydrocarbon industries because of heavy regulation and an emphasis on state-driven growth. The government's efforts have done little to reduce high youth unemployment rates or to address housing shortages. A wave of economic protests in February and March 2011 prompted the Algerian Government to offer more than $23 billion in public grants and retroactive salary and benefit increases, moves which continue to weigh on public finances. Long-term economic challenges include diversifying the economy away from its reliance on hydrocarbon exports, bolstering the private sector, attracting foreign investment, and providing adequate jobs for younger Algerians.

Exchange rates

Algerian dinars (DZD) per US dollar - 77.84 (2012 est.) 72.938 (2011 est.) 74.386 (2010 est.) 72.65 (2009) 63.25 (2008)

Exports

$76.84 billion (2012 est.) $72.88 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%

Exports - partners

US 20.6%, Italy 14.2%, Spain 9.8%, France 8.9%, Netherlands 6.7%, Canada 6.1%, Brazil 4.4% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

8.9% 60.9% 30.2% (2012 est.)

agriculture

8.9%

industry

60.9%

services

30.2% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$7,500 (2012 est.) $7,400 (2011 est.) $7,400 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.6% (2012 est.) 2.4% (2011 est.) 3.3% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$206.5 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$274.5 billion (2012 est.) $267.6 billion (2011 est.) $261.5 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.8% 26.8% (1995)

highest 10%

26.8% (1995)

lowest 10%

2.8%

Imports

$47.53 billion (2012 est.) $44.94 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods

Imports - partners

France 15.1%, China 10%, Italy 9.9%, Spain 7.3%, Germany 5.4%, US 4.6% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

-3.1% (2011 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.5% (2012 est.) 4.5% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

32.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

11.26 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

14% 13.4% 10% 14.6% 32% 16% (2003 est.)

agriculture

14%

construction and public works

10%

government

32%

industry

13.4%

other

16% (2003 est.)

trade

14.6%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

23% (2006 est.)

Public debt

8.8% of GDP (2012 est.) 8.4% of GDP (2011 est.) data cover central government debt; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$190.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $183.1 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$150 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $130.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$2.424 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.174 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$24.68 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $21.78 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$8.69 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $11.02 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$110.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $93.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

38.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

10.2% (2012 est.) 10% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

110.9 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

697,500 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

8,152 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

1.885 million bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

12.26 billion bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

31.39 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

405 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

97.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

2.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

369 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

10.38 million kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

40.22 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

28.82 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

55.79 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

84.61 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

4.502 trillion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

316,400 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

446,500 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

11,700 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

447,100 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

state-run Radio-Television Algerienne operates the broadcast media and carries programming in Arabic, Berber dialects, and French; use of satellite dishes is widespread, providing easy access to European and Arab satellite stations; state-run radio operates several national networks and roughly 40 regional radio stations (2007)

Internet country code

.dz

Internet hosts

676 (2012)

Internet users

4.7 million (2009)

Telephone system

privatization of Algeria's telecommunications sector began in 2000; three mobile cellular licenses have been issued and, in 2005, a consortium led by Egypt's Orascom Telecom won a 15-year license to build and operate a fixed-line network in Algeria; the license will allow Orascom to develop high-speed data and other specialized services and contribute to meeting the large unfulfilled demand for basic residential telephony; Internet broadband services began in 2003 a limited network of fixed lines with a teledensity of less than 10 telephones per 100 persons has been offset by the rapid increase in mobile-cellular subscribership; in 2011, mobile-cellular teledensity was roughly 100 telephones per 100 persons country code - 213; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; microwave radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satellite earth stations - 51 (Intelsat, Intersputnik, and Arabsat) (2009)

domestic

a limited network of fixed lines with a teledensity of less than 10 telephones per 100 persons has been offset by the rapid increase in mobile-cellular subscribership; in 2011, mobile-cellular teledensity was roughly 100 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

privatization of Algeria's telecommunications sector began in 2000; three mobile cellular licenses have been issued and, in 2005, a consortium led by Egypt's Orascom Telecom won a 15-year license to build and operate a fixed-line network in Algeria; the license will allow Orascom to develop high-speed data and other specialized services and contribute to meeting the large unfulfilled demand for basic residential telephony; Internet broadband services began in 2003

international

country code - 213; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; microwave radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satellite earth stations - 51 (Intelsat, Intersputnik, and Arabsat) (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

3.059 million (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

35.616 million (2011)

Airports

142 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

15

2,438 to 3,047 m

28

914 to 1,523 m

4

over 3,047 m

12

total

60

under 914 m

1 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

23 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

18

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

39

total

82

under 914 m

23 (2012)

Heliports

3 (2012)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 6, cargo 8, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gas 11, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 3 15 (UK, 15) (2010)

foreign-owned

15 (UK, 15) (2010)

total

38

Pipelines

condensate 2,600 km; gas 16,360 km; liquid petroleum gas 3,447 km; oil 7,611 km; refined products 144 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda

Railways

3,973 km 2,888 km 1.435-m gauge (283 km electrified) 1,085 km 1.055-m gauge (2008)

narrow gauge

1,085 km 1.055-m gauge (2008)

total

3,973 km

Roadways

113,655 km 87,605 km (includes 645 km of expressways) 26,050 km (2010)

total

113,655 km

unpaved

26,050 km (2010)

Manpower available for military service

10,273,129 10,114,552 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

10,114,552 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

10,273,129

Manpower fit for military service

8,622,897 8,626,222 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

8,626,222 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

8,622,897

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

342,895 330,098 (2010 est.)

female

330,098 (2010 est.)

male

342,895

Military branches

People's National Army (Armee Nationale Populaire, ANP), Land Forces (Forces Terrestres, FT), Navy of the Republic of Algeria (Marine de la Republique Algerienne, MRA), Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jaza'eriya, QJJ), Territorial Air Defense Force (2009)

Military expenditures

3.3% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

19-30 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (6 months basic training, 12 months civil projects) (2006)

Disputes - international

Algeria and many other states reject Moroccan administration of Western Sahara; the Polisario Front, exiled in Algeria, represents the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic; Algeria's border with Morocco remains an irritant to bilateral relations, each nation accusing the other of harboring militants and arms smuggling; dormant disputes include Libyan claims of about 32,000 sq km still reflected on its maps of southeastern Algeria and the National Liberation Front's (FLN) assertions of a claim to Chirac Pastures in southeastern Morocco

Refugees and internally displaced persons

90,000 (Western Saharan Sahrawi, mostly living in Algerian-sponsored camps in the southwestern Algerian town of Tindouf); 30,000 (Mali) (2010) undetermined (civil war during 1990s) (2012)

IDPs

undetermined (civil war during 1990s) (2012)

refugees (country of origin)

90,000 (Western Saharan Sahrawi, mostly living in Algerian-sponsored camps in the southwestern Algerian town of Tindouf); 30,000 (Mali) (2010)

Trafficking in persons

Algeria is a transit and, to a lesser extent, a destination and source country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; criminal networks which sometimes extend to sub-Saharan Africa and to Europe are involved in both smuggling and human trafficking Tier 3 - the Government of Algeria does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government made no discernible effort to enforce its 2009 anti-trafficking law; it also failed to identify and protect trafficking victims and continued to lack adequate measures to protect victims and prevent trafficking (2012)

current situation

Algeria is a transit and, to a lesser extent, a destination and source country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; criminal networks which sometimes extend to sub-Saharan Africa and to Europe are involved in both smuggling and human trafficking

tier rating

Tier 3 - the Government of Algeria does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government made no discernible effort to enforce its 2009 anti-trafficking law; it also failed to identify and protect trafficking victims and continued to lack adequate measures to protect victims and prevent trafficking (2012)