With thousands of years of unrest spilling out of Sahara and Mediterranean, Algeria's history has been far from peaceful. But following the Carthaginians, Berbers, Romans, Spanish and

French rulers, and a rocky post-independent state, Algeria is living in relative harmony today. Although Algeria is the largest country in Africa, less than 4 percents of the land is arable. The rolling, growing and moving Sahara Desert has pushed the majority of its people to the Mediterranean coast, where the population's people to the Mediterranean coast, where the population's culture boils down into a unique, olive-eating entity.

Algerians are of mixed ancestry, mainly of Berber or Arab origins, but also with descen- dants of Europeans (such as the French, Roman or Spanish) and Sub-Saharan Africans.Skin, hair and eye colour vary greatly. In the Saharan regions of the south, some communi-

ties remain nomadic or semi-nomadic, such as the Tuaregs and Gnawa

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The national identity of Algeria is based on a combination of Berber and Arab cultures. The strong influence of Islam in all aspects of Algerian life creates a sense of identity that extends beyond national boundaries to include other Arab nations. Opposition to theFrench colonizers also has been a uniting force in defining a sense of identity in Algeria.

l .The national identity of Algeria is based on a combination of Berber and Arab cultures. The strong influence of Islam in all aspects of Algerian life creates a sense of identity that extends beyond national boundaries to include other Arab nations. Opposition to the French colonizers also has been a uniting force in defining a sense of identity in Algeria .The national identity of Algeria is based on a combination of Berber and Arab cultures. The strong influence of Islam in all aspects of Algerian life creates a sense of identity that extends beyond national boundaries to include other Arab nations. Opposition to the French colonizers also has been a uniting force in defining a sense of identity in AlgeriaThe national identity of Algeria is based on a combination of Berber and Arab cultures. The strong influence of Islam in all aspects of Algerian life creates a sense of identity that extends beyond national boundaries to include other Arab nations. Opposition to the French colonizers also has been a uniting force in defining a sense of identity in AlgeriaRead more: http://www.everyculture.com/A-Bo/Algeria.html#ixzz3WNN3eDbB .The national identity of Algeria is based on a combination of Berber and Arab cultures. The strong influence of Islam in all aspects of Algerian life creates a sense of identity that extends beyond national boundaries to include other Arab nations. Opposition to the French colonizers also has been a uniting force in defining a sense of identity in AlgeriaThe national identity of Algeria is based on a combination of Berber and Arab cultures. The strong influence of Islam in all aspects of Algerian life creates a sense of identity that extends beyond national boundaries to include other Arab nations. Opposition to the French colonizers also has been a uniting force in defining a sense of identity in AlgeriaRead more: http://www.everyculture.com/A-Bo/Algeria.html#ixzz3WNN3eDbB

The vast majority of Algerians are Sunni Muslims, though in some places, there are minority groups of Christians and Jewish people. There is debate among many Algerians about the place of religion. In most households, Islam has a strong influence over daily life. But attitudes vary in terms of how conservatively or otherwise the But attitudes vary in terms of how conservatively or otherwise the religion is practiced, customs generally remain traditional; for example, it is still common for marriages to be arranged between

families.

However, a lot of Christians,

Protestants & Jews live in Algiers

97% of the Algerian

population is muslim

Traditional lifestyles varies by region, particularly as climate changethreatens pastoral and nomadic lifestyles. Some of the population practice very tra- ditional versions of Islam, where women wear hijab dress and men leave beardsuntrimmed. Other Algerians prefer a more moderate religious approach and Wes-

tern-style dress is common.

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Algiers, the capital, has been a port since Roman times and although commercia- lized by the French in the mid-19th century, Algiers still has the feel of the Maghrebto it, with many zig-zag alleyways, mosques and a fantastic Casbah. It’s also evoca-tive of French colonialism with its whitewashed façades and blue painted balconies.

With its rich history, Algeria’s cuisine reflects a variety of cultural influences. Semolina/durum wheat was a staple of the Berbers; steamed, it turns into couscous, which remains a staple of

Algerian cooking to this day.

The Arabs brought spices such as saffron, nutmeg and cinnamon. The Ottoman Turks brought their love of sweet pastries to the region. Other local sweets incorporate the staple wheat, such as

tamina, which is roasted semolina with butter and honey.

In former Spanish-controlled cities, such as Oran, dishes such as paella are popular. The French In former Spanish-controlled cities, such as Oran, dishes such as paella are popular. The French introduced their loaves and sidewalk cafés. Many eating places today serve traditional North African foods such as tajines (lamb or chicken stews) and drinks, such as mint tea and strong

black coffee, Turkish-style.

Locally-grown crops, such as potatoes, tomatoes, onions, chickpeas, olives and dates, are common ingredients in Algerian dishes. In Saharan regions, dates and figs and hard cheeses such

as goats cheese, are eaten with flat unleavened breads baked over fires.

Nightlife options worth exploring. Being the capital city of Algeria, the city of Algiers is the commercial center of the nation. Further, an important number of international tourists visit Algiers for its scenic, Mediterranean coastline. The constant presence of foreign visitors and the colonial past of Algiers havegiven it a multi-cultural attribute. This is best understood in the kind of Al- giers. However, nightlife in Algiers is pretty calm. Algerians are not very night people but there are a lot of events & parties over Algiers. Throughout theyear, Algerians can go to concerts or cultural festivals to relax and dance, etc. year, Algerians can go to concerts or cultural festivals to relax and dance, etc.

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Restaurants (Median) (Median)• Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant 427.04 DZD 3.82 €• Meal for 2, Mid-range Restaurant, Threecourse 1,215.42 DZD 10.87 €• Combo Meal at McDonalds or Similar 360.00 DZD 3 .22 €• Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) 130.00 DZD 1.16 €• Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle 180.00 DZD 1.61 €• Cappuccino (regular) 80.00 DZD 0.72 €• Cappuccino (regular) 80.00 DZD 0.72 €• Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) 50.00 DZD 0.45 €• Water (0.33 liter bottle) 25.00 DZD 0.22 €

Markets• Milk (regular), 1 liter 45.55 DZD 0.41 €• Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) 10.00 DZD 0.09 €• Rice (1kg) 116.76 DZD 1.04 €• Eggs (12) 130.00 DZD 1.16 €• Eggs (12) 130.00 DZD 1.16 €• Local Cheese (1kg) 480.50 DZD 4.30 €• Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless), (1kg) 319.40 DZD 2.86 €• Apples (1kg) 144.64 DZD 1.29 €• Oranges (1kg) 157.20 DZD 1.41 €• Tomato (1kg) 91.10 DZD 0.81 €• Potato (1kg) 55.00 DZD 0.49 €• Lettuce (1 head) 70.00 DZD 0.63 €• Lettuce (1 head) 70.00 DZD 0.63 €• Water (1.5 liter bottle) 25.00 DZD 0.22 €• Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 550.00 DZD 4.92 €• Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 150.00 DZD 1.34 €• Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) 180.00 DZD 1.61 €• Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro) 150.00 DZD 1.34 €

These data are based on 354 entries in the past 18 months from 29 different contributors. - Last update: October, 2013

Transportation• One-way Ticket (Local Transport) 41.10 DZD 0.37 €• Monthly Pass (Regular Price) 850.00 DZD 7.60 €• Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) 50.00 DZD 0.45 €• Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) 50.00 DZD 0.45 €• Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) 850.00 DZD 7.60 €

Utilities (Monthly)Utilities (Monthly)• Basic (Electricity, Heating, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment 3 ,150.00 DZD 33.54 €• 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) 9.11 DZD 0.08 €• Internet (6 Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) 2,000.00 DZD 17.89 €• Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 2,438.50 DZD 21.81 €• Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) 500.00 DZD 5.37 €• Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat 200.00 DZD 1.79 €

Clothing And ShoesClothing And Shoes• 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) 4,377.00 DZD 57.04 €• 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara,H&M, ) 4,770.40 DZD 42.67 €• 1 Pair of Nike Shoes 5,000.00 DZD 71.55 €• 1 Pair of Men Leather Shoes 7,000.00 DZD 62.61 €

Rent Per Month• Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre 35,000.00 DZD 313.04 €• Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 25,000.00 DZD 223.60 €• Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 25,000.00 DZD 223.60 €• Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre 48,049.98 DZD 429.76 €• Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre 31,884.98 DZD 285.18 €

Buy Apartment Price• Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre 160,000.00 DZD 1,431.06 €• Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 110,000.00 DZD 983.85 €

These data are based on 354 entries in the past 18 months from 29 different contributors. - Last update: October, 2013

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nedjma.harbi@aiesec.net (+213) 561 387 958 : nedjma.harbi

For more informations:http://wikitravel.org/en/Algeriahttp://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/algeria-guide/http://www.algeria.com/travel-guide/