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Algeria: Current Status
Blake Falanga
World History-Hjelmgren
5/7/09, Period 1
Algeria is a very stable country with a standardized central government in place. The government of Algeria is a Republic. That means that there is one main leader, the president, and then one who is second in command, the prime minister. The president of Algeria is Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Once in office, he chooses a prime minister. The one that he chose is, Ahmed Ouyahia. The president is elected by a vote by citizens that are over the age of eighteen. The president then serves a term that is five years long. The president can only serve three terms (“Algeria: Government”).
Petrochemicals, food processing, electrical industry, mining industry, and pharmaceuticals make up about 60% of Algeria’s economy (“Algeria: Economy”). Algeria is also home to many large natural gas reserves and is a major producer of crude oil. Algeria is an open-market economy. That type of economy gives entrepreneurs a chance to start their own businesses. It also states that all major business choices are made without influence by the government. Another good thing about an open-market economy is that there is not one central decision maker. Everyone makes his or her own choices (“Algeria: Economy”). Tourists are welcomed in Algeria, however the government of Algeria has never really promoted tourism. There are few well-run hotels and not that many tourist destinations in this country. Since 1989, the government has been trying harder to promote more tourism because of foreign exchange. They have been doing this by building nicer state-owned hotels and advertising their location more and more (“Algeria”). When one visits Algeria there are a few things that they must see. Djemila is a city that has Roman ruins in it. The Roman baths are still partially visible. Tlemcen is another famous city, which includes a mosque dated back to the 11th century. Bou Ismail is a visitor’s favorite place. It is a small fishing area. Another place that tourists highly enjoy is the Alger-Plage beach. It is a great place for swimming and boating (“Tourist Destinations”).
At the beginning of President Bouteflikas presidency, Algeria didn’t have very strong relations with other countries around the world. Luckily, Bouteflika traveled all around the world to help restore the lost relationships. This trip included visiting the White House. Today, Algeria has very strong relations with most of the other African countries and other countries around the world (“Department of State”). They have taken the lead on working on main issues on the African continent. Algeria also brought Ethiopia and Eritrea to peace in 2000. Algeria has been part of the United Nations since October 8th, 1962. Algeria and the United States have a very good relationship. They both work together to solve international and regional issues (“Department of State”). They also are both very supportive on the war against terrorism. The United States imports and exports many items to/from Algeria. Crude oil is the main product that Algeria exports to the United States (“Department of State”). The United States has set up an International Military Education and Training program, which is used to train Algerian personnel in the U.S. (“Department of State”).
Algeria has become friendly with many countries around the world. Although, they’re strongest allies are their neighbors. Some of the strongest allies of Algeria are Tunisia, Libya, Mali, and Niger (“Department of State”). Algeria really doesn’t have any considerably strong enemies. Although one country that use to be an enemy is Morocco, because they both have different views on the border that they share. Today, however, these countries are becoming friendlier (“Department of State”).
The predominant religion of Algeria is Sunni Muslim. This is a state-sponsored religion that consists of 99% of the population. The other 1% of the population is Christians and Jews (“Department of State”). Those two religions both aren’t state-sponsored.
Works Cited
Algeria. 29 Apr. 2009 <http://countrystudies.us/algeria/81.htm>.
This website listed many of the facts about the tourism industry in Algeria. It was very basic but also very useful.
“Algeria.” U.S. Department of State. Mar. 2009. 29 Apr. 2009 <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/8005.htm#relations>.
This website gave detailed explanations of the interactions of Algeria and other countries around the world. It also had a lot of information on the religions of Algeria.
"Algeria: Economy." World Geography. 2009. ABC-CLIO. 2 May 2009 <http://www.worldgeography.abc-clio.com>.
This site explained and answered every question in the subjects of economy. It was very descriptive.
"Algeria: Government." World Geography. 2009. ABC-CLIO. 2 May 2009 <http://www.worldgeography.abc-clio.com>.
This briefly explained all about the governmental leaders and the political styles of Algeria.
“Tourist Destinations in Algeria.” World Travel. 29 Apr. 2009 <http://travel.mapsofworld.com/algeria/tourist-destinations-in-algeria/>.
This website listed many of the tourist destinations and things to do in Algeria. It also listed things to do in many of the cities around Algeria.
Last Updated on May 22, 2009, by Blake Falanga
