Algeria

Algeria, officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, is located in North Africa. It is the largest country on the African continent, covering an area of approximately 2,381,741 square kilometers. Algeria is bordered by Tunisia and Libya to the northeast, Niger to the southeast, Mali and Mauritania to the southwest, Western Sahara to the west, Morocco to the northwest, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. The capital and largest city is Algiers, situated along the Mediterranean coast. As of recent estimates, Algeria has a population of approximately 43 million people. The official languages are Arabic and Berber, with French also widely used. The country's terrain includes the vast Sahara Desert, the Atlas Mountains, and a narrow coastal plain. Algeria gained independence from France in 1962 after a prolonged liberation struggle. Its economy is heavily reliant on hydrocarbons, with significant reserves of oil and natural gas contributing to a substantial portion of its GDP and export revenues. Algeria is a member of the African Union, the Arab League, OPEC, and the United Nations.