Located in North Africa on the Mediterranean Sea, this Arab nation is the second largest country on the African continent. Algeria is bordered by Tunisia in the northeast, Libya in the east, Niger in the southeast, Mali and Mauritania in the southwest, and Morocco. Technically, it’s defined as an Islamic, Arab, and Amazigh (Berber) country by constitution.

The majority of the population and major cities are in the coastal area, which is hilly as well as mountainous in some areas. Inland to the south is the Tell, a fertile area for agriculture, and as you continue south there is the Atlas mountain range and the Sahara Desert. Algiers, Oran, and Constantine are the primary cities and are located in the costal area, which is mild.

Islam is the majority religion here and religious prohibitions exist. It is important to show respect; for example, when visiting a mosque, be sure you’re dressed conservatively and remember to remove your shoes.

When travelling around Algeria, use caution. Do not travel by night, avoid minor roads, and ask police if you are unsure about a region. Consult your foreign office before travel to Algeria, as terrorism has been a problem in some regions. In general, Algeria is a tough country to travel to because of Islamic extremism. If you want to see Algeria, your best bet is an organised tour.

Getting to Algeria

There is commercial air service to Algiers from most major cities in Europe. You can also reach Algeria by boat from Alicante, Spain as well as Marseilles, France.