Algeria: flag, capital, currency and history

Algeria, officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, is a country in Northern Africa, Africa. Its capital is Algiers. The currency is the Algerian dinar. Languages spoken include Arabic.

Quick facts about Algeria

Official name: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
Capital: Algiers
Region: Africa, Northern Africa
Currency: Algerian dinar (DZD, د.ج)
Languages: Arabic
Calling code: +213
Internet domain: .dz
Area: 2,381,741 km² (919,595 sq mi)
Land borders: Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mauritania, Mali, Morocco
Demonym: Algerian
National day: Independence Day, July 5

Flag of Algeria

Download the flag of Algeria as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇩🇿.

SVG (vector)

History of Algeria

The region of Algeria was home to Berber peoples and was influenced by Carthage, Rome and, from the seventh century, the Arab-Islamic conquests. In the sixteenth century much of the coast came under Ottoman authority. France invaded Algiers in 1830 and gradually colonised the country, which was later administered as part of France. A war of independence began in 1954 and ended with independence in 1962. A single-party system lasted until the late 1980s, and the 1990s brought a prolonged internal conflict. Algeria is a republic with Algiers as its capital.

Key dates

16th centuryThe coast of Algeria comes under Ottoman authority.
1830France invades Algiers and begins its colonisation of the country.
1954The National Liberation Front launches the war of independence.
1962Algeria becomes independent from France on 5 July.
1989A new constitution allows political parties beyond the single ruling party.
1990sA prolonged internal conflict affects the country.

A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.