Algeria, with a population of just under 29 million people, is the size of Europe with a climate that varies from arid to semiarid. The coast gets wet winters and hot summers. Cold winters characterize the high plateau. Sunni Muslims make up 99 percent of the population; virtually all are of Arab-Berber descent.
The currency is the Algerian dinar. Change your money at the hotel (you don't just walk around and get change here). Electrical current is 137/240V with the European two-pin plug. Phone and fax service is available from major hotels and businesses, but you may have to wait for a free overseas line. Most people speak French and Arabic. English is spoken only in the main cities and in big hotels and businesses.
The workweek in Algeria is Saturday through Wednesday, at least for those who work; 84 percent of Algerians between the ages of 15 and 30 are jobless, and inflation is at 55 percent. Factories are functioning at 50 percent capacity. In addition, Algeria has the lowest farm yield of any Mediterranean country, forcing it to import two-thirds of its food.
Traveler's checks and credit cards are acceptable in only a few establishments in urban areas. Currently, the government of Algeria requires all foreigners entering the country to exchange US$200 into local currency. Documentary proof of legal exchange of currency is needed when (or if) you leave Algeria. It is rarely checked.
Embassy Location
U.S. Embassy
4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi
B.P. 549 (Alger-Gare) 16000, Algiers
Tel.: [213] (2) 69-11-86, 69-18-54,
69-38-75, 69-14-25
Government Agencies
Office of the President
Presidence de la Republique
El Mouradia
Algiers, Algeria
Tel.: [213] (2) 60-03-60
Office of the Prime Minister
Palais du Governement
Algiers, Algeria
Tel.: [213] (2) 63-23-40
Ministry of Defense
Avenue des Tagarins
Algiers, Algeria
Tel.: [213] (2) 61-15-15
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
6 Rue 16n Batran
El Mouradia
Algiers, Algeria
Tel.: [213] (2) 60-47-44
Press Agencies and Newspapers
(note: many are in French)
Agence France Presse (AFP)
6 Rue Khettabi
Algiers, Algeria
Tel.: [213] (2) 63-37-02
Algerian Press Service (APS)
20 Rue Zouieche
Kouba
Algiers, Algeria
Tel.: [213] (2) 68-05-30
Associated Press (AP)
4 Avenue Pasteur, BP 769
Algiers, Algeria
Tel.: [213] (2) 63-59-41
El Djazar
http://www.djazaironline.net/
El Khabar
1 Rue Bechir Attar
Algiers, Algeria
Tel.: [213] (2) 66-19-31/32
http://www.elkhabar.com/
Le Matin
1 Rue Bechir Attar
Hussein-Dey
Algiers, Algeria
Tel.: [213] (2) 66-30-13/14
http://www.lematin-dz.com/
Reuters
6 Boulevard Mohamed Khemisti
Algiers, Algeria
Tel.: [213] (2) 64-46-77
El Watan
1 Rue Bechir Attar
Algiers, Algeria
Tel.: [213} (2) 66-26-41/42/44
http://www.elwatan.com/
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