History
Berbers have inhabited present-day Algeria for thousands of years.

The Phoenicians were early settlers in the region, followed by the Romans.

In the fifth century Algeria was invaded by the Vandals, a Germanic tribe, who were eventually defeated by the Byzantines, led by Belisarius.

Arabs conquered North Africa in the seventh century.

Algeria became part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire from the mid sixteenth century.

French colonization began in 1830 and in 1848 Algeria became an Overseas Department of France.

The Algerian war for independence from France began in 1954. Independence was achieved in 1962.

Economy
Algeria, a member of OPEC (the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries), is an important gas and oil producing country. Other resources are phosphates, iron ore, lead, uranium and zinc.

Industry produces the largest percentage of the country's Gross Domestic Product. Industries include petrochemicals, construction, light industries and food processing.

Agricultural products are wheat, barley, oats, olives, grapes and citrus fruits. Livestock is reared. (2011)

Arts
Crafts in Algeria are ceramics, carpets, embroidery, jewellery, leatherwork, glassware, and metalwork.

Traditional music and dance is promoted by the National Institute of Music. Other cultural institutions include the National Museum of Antiquities and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Albert Camus, the Algerian-French writer and philosopher, won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1957.

Sport
Football is a popular sport in Algeria. Volleyball is also played.

Water sports include swimming and sailing.

Holidays
All Muslim festivals are celebrated. Independence Day (from France) is on 5 July and Revolution Day (1954) is remembered on 1 November.

News
News from Algeria is available from Newslink.

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