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Helpful informations about Algiers .
12 years ago
ALGIERS TOURISM AND TRAVEL GUIDE :
Algiers is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630.[1] In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000. An estimate puts the population at about 3,574,000 as of 2010.
Called El-Behdja or alternatively Alger la Blanche ("Algiers the White") for the glistening white of its buildings as seen rising up from the sea, Algiers is situated on the west side of a bay of the Mediterranean Sea. The modern part of the city is built on the level ground by the seashore; the old part, the ancient city of the deys, climbs the steep hill behind the modern town and is crowned by the casbah or citadel, 400 feet (122 m) above the sea. The casbah and the two quays form a triangle.
Etymology :
The city name is derived (via French Alger and the Arabic name al-Jaza’ir, which translates as "The Islands", referring to the four islands which lay off the city's coast until becoming part of the mainland in 1525. Al-Jaz?’ir is itself a truncated form of the city's older name Jaza’ir Ban? Mazghann?, "The Islands of the Sons of Mazghanna", used by early medieval geographers such as al-Idrisi and Yaqut al-Hamawi.
History :
A Phoenician commercial outpost called Ikosim which later developed into a small Roman town called Icosium existed on what is now the marine quarter of the city. The rue de la Marine follows the lines of what used to be a Roman street. Roman cemeteries existed near Bab-el-Oued and Bab Azoun. The city was given Latin rights by Vespasian. The bishops of Icosium are mentioned as late as the 5th century.
The present-day city was founded in 944 by Bologhine ibn Ziri, the founder of the Berber Zirid–Sanhaja dynasty, which was overthrown by Roger II of Sicily in 1148, although the Zirids had already lost control of Algiers before the final fall of the dynasty. The city was occupied by the Almohades in 1159, and in the 13th century came under the dominion of the Abd-el-Wadid sultans of Tlemcen. Nominally part of the sultanate of Tlemcen, Algiers had a large measure of independence under amirs of its own due to Oran being the chief seaport and center of power of the Abd-el-Wahid.
As early as 1302 the islet of Peñón in front of Algiers harbour had been occupied by Spaniards. Thereafter, a considerable amount of trade began to flow between Algiers and Spain. However, Algiers continued to be of comparatively little importance until after the expulsion of the Moors from Spain, many of whom sought asylum in the city. In 1510, following their occupation of Oran and other towns on the coast of Africa, the Spaniards fortified the islet of Peñon and imposed a levy intended to suppress corsair activity.
Geography :
Districts of Algiers :
•The Casbah (of Al Qasbah , “the Citadel”), Ier District of Algiers: called Al-Djazaïr Al Mahroussa (“Well Kept Algiers”), it is founded on the ruins of old Icosium. It is a small city which, built on a hill, goes down towards the sea, divided in two: the High city and the Low city. One finds there masonries and mosques of the 17th century; Ketchaoua mosque (built in 1794 by the Dey Baba Hassan) flanked by two minarets, mosque el Djedid (built in 1660, at the time of Turkish regency) with its large finished ovoid cupola points some and its four coupolettes, mosque El Kébir (oldest of the mosques, it was built by almoravide Youssef Ibn Tachfin and rebuilt later in 1794), mosque Ali Betchnin (Raïs, 1623), Dar Aziza, palate of Jénina. In the Kasbah, there are also labyrinths of lanes and houses that are very picturesque; and if one gets lost there, it is enough to go down again towards the sea to reposition oneself.
•Bab El Oued : Literally the River's Gate, the popular district which extends from the Casbah beyond "the gate of the river". It is the capital's darling and best liked borough. Famous for its square with “the three clocks” and for its “market Triplet”, it is also a district of workshops and manufacturing plants.
•Edge of sea : from 1840, the architects Pierre-August Guiauchain and Charles Frédéric Chassériau designed new buildings apart from the Kasbah, town hall, law courts, buildings, theatre, palace of the Governor, casino ... to form an elegant walk bordered by arcades which is the boulevard today Che Guevara (ex-boulevard of Republic).
•Kouba (will daira of Hussein-dey): Kouba is an old village which was absorbed by the expansion of the town of Algiers. Of village, Kouba quickly developed under the French colonial era then continued growing due to formidable demographic expansion that Algiers knew after the independence of Algeria in 1962. It is today a district of Algiers which is largely made up of houses, villas and buildings not exceeding five stories.
•El Harrach, a suburb of Algiers, is located about 10 km to the east of the city.
•The communes of Hydra, Ben Aknoun, El-Biar and Bouzareah form what the inhabitants of Algiers call the heights of Algiers. These communes, sometimes famous knacks, shelter the majority of the foreign embassies of Algiers, of many ministries and university centers, which makes it one of the administrative and policy centers of the country.
•The street Didouche Mourade is located in the 3rd district Of Algiers. It extends from the Grande Post office to the Heights of Algiers. It crosses in particular the place Audin , the Faculty of Algiers , The Crowned Heart and the park of Galland . It is bordered by smart stores and restaurants along most of its length. It is regarded as the heart of the capital.
Climate :
Algiers has a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters. Its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea aids in moderating the city's temperatures. As a result Algiers usually does not see the extreme temperatures that are experienced in the adjacent interior deserts. The climate of Algiers, like that of other Mediterranean cities, features wet "winters" and dry summers. Algiers on average receives roughly 600 millimetres (24 in) of rain per year, the bulk of which is seen between October and April.
Local architecture :
There are many public buildings of interest, including the whole Kasbah quarter, Martyrs Square (Sahat ech-Chouhada , the government offices (formerly the British consulate), the "Grand", "New", and Ketchaoua Mosques, the Roman Catholic cathedral of Notre Dame d'Afrique, the Bardo Museum (a former Turkish mansion), the old Bibliothèque Nationale d'Alger—a Turkish palace built in 1799–1800—and the new National Library, built in a style reminiscent of the British Library.
The main building in the Kasbah was begun in 1516 on the site of an older building, and served as the palace of the deys until the French conquest. A road has been cut through the centre of the building, the mosque turned into barracks, and the hall of audience allowed to fall into ruin. There still remain a minaret and some marble arches and columns. Traces exist of the vaults in which were stored the treasures of the dey.
The Great Mosque (Jamaa-el-Kebir ) is the oldest mosque in Algiers. It was first built by Yusuf ibn Tashfin, but reconstructed many times. The pulpit (minbar ) bears an inscription showing that the building existed in 1097. The minaret was built by the sultan of Tlemcen, in 1324. The interior of the mosque is square and is divided into aisles by columns joined by Moorish arches.
The New Mosque (Jamaa-el-Jedid ), dating from the 17th century, is in the form of a Greek cross, surmounted by a large white cupola, with four small cupolas at the corners. The minaret is 90 feet (27 m) high. The interior resembles that of the Grand Mosque.
The church of the Holy Trinity (built in 1870) stands at the southern end of the rue d'Isly near the site of the demolished Fort Bab Azoun . The interior is richly decorated with various coloured marbles. Many of these marbles contain memorial inscriptions relating to the British residents (voluntary and involuntary) of Algiers from the time of John Tipton, the first English consul, in 1580 (NB Some sources give 1585). One tablet records that in 1631 two Algerine pirate crews landed in Ireland, sacked Baltimore.
The Ketchaoua mosque (Djamaa Ketchaoua ), at the foot of the Casbah, was before independence in 1962 the cathedral of St Philippe, itself made in 1845 from a mosque dating from 1612. The principal entrance, reached by a flight of 23 steps, is ornamented with a portico supported by four black-veined marble columns. The roof of the nave is of Moorish plaster work. It rests on a series of arcades supported by white marble columns. Several of these columns belonged to the original mosque. In one of the chapels was a tomb containing the bones of San Geronimo. The building seems a curious blend of Moorish and Byzantine styles.
Algiers possesses a college with schools of law, medicine, science and letters. The college buildings are large and handsome. The Bardo Museum in Tunisia holds some of the ancient sculptures and mosaics discovered in Algeria, together with medals and Algerian money.
The port of Algiers is sheltered from all winds. There are two harbours, both artificial—the old or northern harbour and the southern or Agha harbour. The northern harbour covers an area of 235 acres (95 ha) (95 ha). An opening in the south jetty affords an entrance into Agha harbour, constructed in Agha Bay. Agha harbour has also an independent entrance on its southern side. The inner harbour was begun in 1518 by Khair-ad-Din Barbarossa (see History, below), who, to accommodated his pirate vessels, caused the island on which was Fort Penon to be connected with the mainland by a mole. The lighthouse which occupies the site of Fort Penon was built in 1544.
Algiers was a walled city from the time of the deys until the close of the 19th century. The French, after their occupation of the city (1830), built a rampart, parapet and ditch, with two terminal forts, Bab Azoun to the south and Bab-el-Oued to the north. The forts and part of the ramparts were demolished at the beginning of the 20th century, when a line of forts occupying the heights of Bouzareah (at an elevation of 1,300 feet (396 m) above the sea) took their place. Notre Dame d'Afrique, a church built (1858–1872) in a mixture of the Roman and Byzantine styles, is conspicuously situated overlooking the sea, on the shoulder of the Bouzareah hills, 2 miles (3.2 km) to the north of the city. Above the altar is a statue of the Virgin depicted as a black woman. The church also contains a solid silver statue of the archangel Michael, belonging to the confraternity of Neapolitan fishermen.
Villa Abd-el-Tif, former residence of the dey, was used during the French period, to accommodate French artists, chiefly painters, and winners of the Abd-el-Tif prize, among whom Maurice Boitel, for a while of two years. Nowadays, Algerian artists are back in the villa's studios.
Monuments :
•Notre Dame d'Afrique , accessible by one cable car, is one of the city's most outstanding monuments: located in the district of Z' will ghara, the basilica was built around 1858.
•Monument des Martyrs ( Maquam E' chahid ): an iconic concrete monument commemorating the Algerian war for independence. The monument was opened in 1982 on the 20th anniversary of Algeria's independence. It is fashioned in the shape of three standing palm leaves which shelter the "Eternal Flame" beneath. At the edge of each palm leaf stands a statue of a soldier, each representing a stage of Algeria's struggle.
•The El Jedid mosque at the Place des Martyrs near the port.
•Place of the Emir Abdelkader (formerly Bugeaud): in memory of the famous emir Abd El-Kader, resistant during French conquest of Algeria.
•Grand Post Office (1910, by Voinot and Tondoire): construction of the neo-Moorish type which is in full centre town of Algiers.
•The Jardin d'essai (Garden of Test; El-Hamma): situated in the east of Algiers, it extends over 80 hectares (198 acres) and contains exotic plants and gardens. It was created in 1832 by A. Hardy.
•Villa Abd-el-Hair , with the top of the Garden of test, one of the old residences of the dey, where until 1962, were placed the artists prizes winner of Price Abd-el-Hair, and in particular Maurice Boitel and Andre Hamburg.
•Citadel .
•Riadh El-Feth (shopping centre and art gallery).
•Ketchaoua Mosque (This mosque became the Saint-Philippe cathedral during colonization before becoming again a mosque).
•National Library , is in the district of El HAMMA. Architecture modèrne.
•The Great Mosque of Algiers at the Rue de la Marine. It is the oldest mosque of Algiers and was built during the reign of the Almoravid sultan Yusuf ibn Tashfin.
Demographics :
Algiers has a population of about 5,000,000 (2011 estimates).
The ethnic distribution is 53% from an Arabic-speaking background, 44% from a Berber-speaking background and 3% foreign-born, mostly from China, Vietnam, and Mali.
•1940 – 300,000 people lived in Algiers.
•1960 – 900,000 people lived in Algiers.
•1963 – 600.000 people lived in Algiers.
Year Population :
1977 (Census) 1,353,826
1987 (Census) 1,507,241
1998 (Census) 1,519,570
2007 (Estimate) 2,072,993
Economy :
Algiers is an important economic, commercial and financial center, with in particular a stock exchange with a capitalisation of 60 million euros. The city has the highest cost of living of any city in North Africa, as well as the 50th highest worldwide, as of March 2007, having gained one position compared to the previous year.
Mohamed Ben Ali El Abbar, president of the Council d administration of the emirate group EMAAR, presented five "megaprojects" to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, during a ceremony which took place Saturday, July 15 with the Palate of the People of Algiers. The projects will transform the city of Algiers and its surroundings by equipping them with a retail area, and restoration and leisure facilities.
The first project will concentrate on the reorganization and the development of the infrastructures of the railway station "Aga" located in the downtown area. Ultramodern, the station, intended to accommodate more than 80.000 passengers per day, will become a center of circulation in the heart of the grid system, surrounded by commercial offices and buildings and hotels intended for travelers in transit. A shopping centre and three high-rise office buildings rising with the top of the commercial zone will accompany the project.
The second project will relate to the bay of Algiers and aims to revitalize the sea front. The development of the 44 km (27 mi) sea front will include marinas, channels, luxury hotels, offices, apartments of great standing, luxury stores and leisure amenities. A crescent-shaped peninsula will be set up on the open sea. The project of the bay of Algiers will also comprise six small islands, of which four of round form, connected to each other by bridges and marinas and will include tourist and residential complexes.
The third project will relate to restructuring an area of Algiers, qualified by the originators of the project of "city of wellness". El Abbar indicated to the journalists that the complex would be "agréable for all those which will want to combine tourism and wellbeing or tourism and relaxation". The complex will include a university, a research center and a medical centre. It should also include a hospital complex, a care, centre, a hotel zone, an urban centre and a thermal spa with villas and apartments. The university will include a medical school and a school for care male nurses which will be able to accommodate 500 students. The university campus will have the possibility of seeing setting up broad ranges of buildings of research laboratories and residences.
Another project relates to technological implantation of a campus in Sidi Abdellah, 25 km (16 mi) south-east from Algiers. This 90 hectares (222 acres) site will include shopping centres, residential zones with high standard apartments and a golf course surrounded by villas and hotels. Two other residential zones, including 1.800 apartments and 40 high standard villas, will be built on the surrounding hills.
The fifth project is that of the tourist complex Colonel Abbès, which will be located 25 km (16 mi) west from Algiers. This complex will include several retail zones, meeting places, and residential zones composed of apartments and villas with views of the sea.[citation needed]
A Hewlett Packard office for French-speaking countries in Africa is in Algiers.
Tourist installations :
Some 20 km (12 mi) to the west of Algiers are such seaside resorts as Sidi Fredj (ex-Sidi Ferruch), Palm Beach, Douaouda, Zéralda, and the Club of the Pines (residence of State); there are tourist complexes, Algerian and other restaurants, souvenir shops, supervised beaches, and other amenities. The city is also equipped with important hotel complexes such as the hotel Hilton, El-Aurassi or El Djazair. Algiers also has the first water park in the country. The tourism of Algiers is growing but is not as developed as that of the larger cities in Morocco or Tunisia.
Public transport :
•ETUSA (urban and suburban bus transportation for Algiers) operates bus service in Algiers and the surrounding suburbs. 54 lines are currently operating, with service from 5:30 a.m. to 12:45 a.m.
•SNTF (national railroad company) operates commuter-rail lines connecting the capital to the surrounding suburbs.
•Algiers Metro, opened November 1, 2011.
•Algiers tramway, opened on May 8, 2011.
•Houari Boumediene Airport is located 20 km (12 mi) from the city. The airport serves domestics, many European cities, West Africa, the Middle East, Asia and North America. On July 5, 2006, a new international air terminal was opened for service. The terminal is managed by Aéroports de Paris.
4 urban ropeways:
•El Madania – Belouizdad
•Notre Dame d’Afrique – Bologhine
•Memorial des Martyres/Riad el Feth – Jardin d’essais
•Palais de la culture – Oued Kniss
Province projects :
Several ongoing projects aim to solve Algiers deficit and transportation problems. A tram connecting the downtown area to Dergana is expected to open by the end of 2010.[16] Subway lines connecting Tafourah-Large Harrach Post office-El were expected in 2008, in addition to three Regional Express Network (RER) lines: Algiers-Aga-Thenia, Algiers-Aga-Elafroun, Algiers-Aga-Zeralda. Three new cable cars, reconstruction of roads and restoration of the city station—which will accommodate the High-speed rail line connecting Annaba, Algiers and Oran—are also ongoing. Congestion control measures including new roundabouts and motorways are also being added to the city.
Dubai's Emaar Properties invested $20 billion for the development of several projects for Algeria. It covers the construction of a new town called Sidi Abdellah, a tourist resort and a health resort on the western outskirts of Algiers. The redevelopment of Algiers waterfront is being considered as part of the development contract, which is planned to include a shopping mall, Marriott hotel, a business district with shopping centre and the largest mosque in Algiers.
New residential developments aim to solve Algiers current housing shortage.[citation needed]
Sports :
Algiers is the largest sporting centre of Algeria. The city has a number of professional clubs in the variety of sports, which have won national and international titles. Among the sports facilities within the city, there is an enormous sporting complex – Complex of OCO – Mohamed Boudiaf. This includes the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 (capacity 80,000), a venue for athletics, an Olympic swimming pool, a multisports room (the Cupola), an 18-hole golf course, and several tennis courts.
The following major sporting events have been held in Algiers (not-exhaustive list):
•Mediterranean Games 1975.
•All-Africa Games 1978, 2007.
•African Cup of Nations 1990.
•African Handball Nations Championship 1989, 2001. •Pan Arab Games 2004.
•FIBA Africa Championship 2005.
•Men's U19 World Championship 2005.
Football clubs :
Principal clubs of association football of the city (having already evolved/moved in Division 1):
•MC El Eulma
•MC Alger
•USM Alger
•CR Belouizdad
•NA Hussein Dey
•Paradou AC
•USM El Harrach
•RC Kouba
•OMR El Annasser
•DNC Algiers
Algiers Hotels and Accommodation :
Visitors to Algeria will find a variety of accommodation and lodging on offer, including hotels, guest houses, self catering accommodation and camp sites. Prices vary, according to the facilities on offer and the location. As a rule, Algeria hotels tend to offer fairly good value for money. For those on a tight budget, there are usually plenty of options.
Most hotels in Algeria can be found in the capital city, Algiers, and other main cities, such as Oran. Visitors who plan to travel around Algeria, for example into the desert region of the country, should not experience too many problems finding accommodation. However, choice can be rather limited in smaller towns or those which are off the tourist track.
Algiers in particular, is becoming a popular destination for business delegations and conferences and at these times, finding rooms can be more difficult.
Algeria Hotels, Holidays and Accommodation: Where to Stay
There is no shortage of hotels in Algiers. These range from the five-star accommodation offered by the likes of the Sofitel Algiers Hamma Garden, to quite basic rooms with very few frills. Visitors can also choose between modern buildings, like the distinctive box-like Hotel Aurassi, or those which harp back to Algiers' colonial past.
There are plenty of mid-range hotels and similar accommodation options in this part of Algeria, many of which can be found in the lower part of Algiers city, close to the sea. The facilities that are on offer can vary widely. Some rooms come with air conditioning, whilst other hotels boast their own restaurant. If you can find one with both, then it's a real boon after a long day of sightseeing.
Backpackers in Algiers are well served by several budget hotels. Indeed, there are quite a few located around the Place Port Said area. Amidst the hustle and bustle of its shops and cafes, they can be lively places. Expect basic facilities, including communal showers.
Outside of Algeria's capital city, most towns can offer at least one hotel. Facilities vary widely, as do the prices of rooms. In many cases, breakfast is included, although it is worth checking that this is the case. Youth hostel accommodation can be found in over 60 towns throughout Algeria and is perfect if cheap lodging is the order of the day. Whilst being very basic, they do offer the advantage of a self-catering kitchen where you can prepare your own meals.
For those who are travelling around the country and prefer the freedom of the great outdoors, most towns in Algeria can offer at least a camp site or two. They are excellent places to meet up with fellow travellers and are good value if a little basic as far as facilities are concerned.
Algiers Restaurants and Dining :
Most of the restaurants and upscale dining establishments of Algeria can be found in its larger cities, particularly Algiers. Elsewhere, visitors have plenty of opportunities to sample local dishes in the small restaurants, cafes and eateries found in most small towns. Alternatively, diners punctuate Algeria's highways and are a great way to sample traditional cuisine.
Dining out in Algeria gives visitors an opportunity to experience a taste of daily life and meet the locals. However, if you're simply too tired to search for somewhere to eat after a long day of sightseeing, then some hotels may have their own restaurants to hand.
When to Eat / Opening Hours :
In Algiers and elsewhere in Algeria, evening meals are served from around 20:00 onwards. For snacks and coffee earlier in the day, many cafes tend to open quite early in the morning, from around 06:00. They may also reopen later in the evening.
Restaurants and dining venues in larger hotels, such as the Sofitel in Algiers, offer a range of opening hours and menus.
What to Eat :
Traditional Algerian cuisine has a number of influences, including those from the French, Berber, Arab and Turkish cultures. Expect to enjoy meals based on olives, fruit, vegetables and spices.
The dish most closely associated with Algeria is couscous, a staple that resembles pasta but is actually made from semolina. Couscous is served in local restaurants as both as a savoury - with lamb, chicken or fish, and as a sweet dish - with cinnamon and dates. Bread, tomatoes, potatoes, courgettes (zucchinis) and chillies are also often key ingredients in North African cuisine. Even in the desert region of Algeria, fresh fruit and vegetables are widely available.
Small cafes generally sell the usual array of snacks, such as brochettes, chicken and salad. And of course, no meal is complete without a glass of mint tea. This hot beverage is popular throughout North Africa and is very refreshing.
Following Ramadan fasting, which is widely observed in Algeria, a special meal is served. This usually involves a soup or stew for starters, followed by a lamb or beef dish for main course. For dessert, fresh fruit is always provided.
Where to Eat :
In Algiers and other large Algerian cities, most traditional restaurants serve typical Algerian food. However, in recent years, these have been joined by fast-food restaurants and those with a more international menu to tempt the city's diners. The latter are particularly popular with younger visitors and locals. Most dining venues and eateries in Algiers tend to be located in the heart of the city and offer reasonably priced meals.
Outside of Algeria's cities, the majority of towns have a restaurant or two, where it is possible to enjoy lunch or dinner, as well as a cafe where you can linger over a cup of tea or coffee.
Roadside restaurants are usually fairly basic-looking affairs, from the outside at least, and certainly don't offer a fine dining experience. However, they offer a welcome respite when you're travelling along Algeria's roads and can usually be relied upon to serve a decent meal. Choice of dishes on offer can be rather limited, it has to be said, although it may be possible to negotiate if, for example, you are vegetarian.
Algeria Shopping and Districts :
Algeria is a great place to shop for gifts to take home or local souvenirs. Carpets, jewellery and crafted wood items are all good souvenirs to look out for. As well as craft and street markets, most towns have a few small shops where it is possible to pick up something a little different.
When you are out shopping, it is worth bearing in mind that prices can vary widely. It helps to look at what else is on offer before making your purchase. Larger cities in Algeria offer state-run shops, which are also a useful way of finding out the general cost of items.
It's usual to try some bargaining when you're making your purchase, particularly at traditional markets.
When to Shop / Opening Hours :
In Algeria, shops are usually closed for just one day in the week - Friday. General opening hours are between 09:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 19:00.
Where to Shop :
Visitors who want to engage in some retail therapy should head to the vibrant Rue Didouche Mourad street in Algiers, where there is plenty of opportunity to spend your holiday money.
A few supermarkets have arrived in Algeria in recent years. These are located in the larger cities, such as Algiers and Oran, and include those operated by French hypermarket chain, Carrefour.
Outside Algiers, you will always find a market where you can purchase fresh fruit and vegetables, olives and dates, as well as an array of spices.
Markets are also great places to buy locally made handicrafts and souvenirs. In the south of Algeria, look out for items made by the local Tuareg people.
Algiers Golf Courses and Club :
There really is only one golf course of note in the whole of Algeria and it is located within the city of Algiers. Known as simply the Algiers Golf Club, the course features 18 well-laid out holes, which are spread over approximately 10 km / 6 miles.
The course itself has been strategically designed and positioned to provide stunning views of both the Algiers cityscape and the adjacent Mediterranean coastline.
Although locals often enjoy a round of golf at the Algiers Golf Club, many of the patrons do tend to be tourists and holidaymakers, who can more comfortably afford the green fees, equipment hire and available golfing lessons.
Golfing in Algiers :
A restaurant is located onsite should you require a bite to eat after the game. Those feeling particularly sporty and energetic may even like to take advantage of the tennis courts and other outdoor facilities on offer.
Address: Algiers Golf Club, Rue Ahmed Ouaked Dely-Ibrahim, Algiers, 16000, Algeria.
Tel: +213 21 37 57 90
Algiers is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630.[1] In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000. An estimate puts the population at about 3,574,000 as of 2010.
Called El-Behdja or alternatively Alger la Blanche ("Algiers the White") for the glistening white of its buildings as seen rising up from the sea, Algiers is situated on the west side of a bay of the Mediterranean Sea. The modern part of the city is built on the level ground by the seashore; the old part, the ancient city of the deys, climbs the steep hill behind the modern town and is crowned by the casbah or citadel, 400 feet (122 m) above the sea. The casbah and the two quays form a triangle.
Etymology :
The city name is derived (via French Alger and the Arabic name al-Jaza’ir, which translates as "The Islands", referring to the four islands which lay off the city's coast until becoming part of the mainland in 1525. Al-Jaz?’ir is itself a truncated form of the city's older name Jaza’ir Ban? Mazghann?, "The Islands of the Sons of Mazghanna", used by early medieval geographers such as al-Idrisi and Yaqut al-Hamawi.
History :
A Phoenician commercial outpost called Ikosim which later developed into a small Roman town called Icosium existed on what is now the marine quarter of the city. The rue de la Marine follows the lines of what used to be a Roman street. Roman cemeteries existed near Bab-el-Oued and Bab Azoun. The city was given Latin rights by Vespasian. The bishops of Icosium are mentioned as late as the 5th century.
The present-day city was founded in 944 by Bologhine ibn Ziri, the founder of the Berber Zirid–Sanhaja dynasty, which was overthrown by Roger II of Sicily in 1148, although the Zirids had already lost control of Algiers before the final fall of the dynasty. The city was occupied by the Almohades in 1159, and in the 13th century came under the dominion of the Abd-el-Wadid sultans of Tlemcen. Nominally part of the sultanate of Tlemcen, Algiers had a large measure of independence under amirs of its own due to Oran being the chief seaport and center of power of the Abd-el-Wahid.
As early as 1302 the islet of Peñón in front of Algiers harbour had been occupied by Spaniards. Thereafter, a considerable amount of trade began to flow between Algiers and Spain. However, Algiers continued to be of comparatively little importance until after the expulsion of the Moors from Spain, many of whom sought asylum in the city. In 1510, following their occupation of Oran and other towns on the coast of Africa, the Spaniards fortified the islet of Peñon and imposed a levy intended to suppress corsair activity.
Geography :
Districts of Algiers :
•The Casbah (of Al Qasbah , “the Citadel”), Ier District of Algiers: called Al-Djazaïr Al Mahroussa (“Well Kept Algiers”), it is founded on the ruins of old Icosium. It is a small city which, built on a hill, goes down towards the sea, divided in two: the High city and the Low city. One finds there masonries and mosques of the 17th century; Ketchaoua mosque (built in 1794 by the Dey Baba Hassan) flanked by two minarets, mosque el Djedid (built in 1660, at the time of Turkish regency) with its large finished ovoid cupola points some and its four coupolettes, mosque El Kébir (oldest of the mosques, it was built by almoravide Youssef Ibn Tachfin and rebuilt later in 1794), mosque Ali Betchnin (Raïs, 1623), Dar Aziza, palate of Jénina. In the Kasbah, there are also labyrinths of lanes and houses that are very picturesque; and if one gets lost there, it is enough to go down again towards the sea to reposition oneself.
•Bab El Oued : Literally the River's Gate, the popular district which extends from the Casbah beyond "the gate of the river". It is the capital's darling and best liked borough. Famous for its square with “the three clocks” and for its “market Triplet”, it is also a district of workshops and manufacturing plants.
•Edge of sea : from 1840, the architects Pierre-August Guiauchain and Charles Frédéric Chassériau designed new buildings apart from the Kasbah, town hall, law courts, buildings, theatre, palace of the Governor, casino ... to form an elegant walk bordered by arcades which is the boulevard today Che Guevara (ex-boulevard of Republic).
•Kouba (will daira of Hussein-dey): Kouba is an old village which was absorbed by the expansion of the town of Algiers. Of village, Kouba quickly developed under the French colonial era then continued growing due to formidable demographic expansion that Algiers knew after the independence of Algeria in 1962. It is today a district of Algiers which is largely made up of houses, villas and buildings not exceeding five stories.
•El Harrach, a suburb of Algiers, is located about 10 km to the east of the city.
•The communes of Hydra, Ben Aknoun, El-Biar and Bouzareah form what the inhabitants of Algiers call the heights of Algiers. These communes, sometimes famous knacks, shelter the majority of the foreign embassies of Algiers, of many ministries and university centers, which makes it one of the administrative and policy centers of the country.
•The street Didouche Mourade is located in the 3rd district Of Algiers. It extends from the Grande Post office to the Heights of Algiers. It crosses in particular the place Audin , the Faculty of Algiers , The Crowned Heart and the park of Galland . It is bordered by smart stores and restaurants along most of its length. It is regarded as the heart of the capital.
Climate :
Algiers has a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters. Its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea aids in moderating the city's temperatures. As a result Algiers usually does not see the extreme temperatures that are experienced in the adjacent interior deserts. The climate of Algiers, like that of other Mediterranean cities, features wet "winters" and dry summers. Algiers on average receives roughly 600 millimetres (24 in) of rain per year, the bulk of which is seen between October and April.
Local architecture :
There are many public buildings of interest, including the whole Kasbah quarter, Martyrs Square (Sahat ech-Chouhada , the government offices (formerly the British consulate), the "Grand", "New", and Ketchaoua Mosques, the Roman Catholic cathedral of Notre Dame d'Afrique, the Bardo Museum (a former Turkish mansion), the old Bibliothèque Nationale d'Alger—a Turkish palace built in 1799–1800—and the new National Library, built in a style reminiscent of the British Library.
The main building in the Kasbah was begun in 1516 on the site of an older building, and served as the palace of the deys until the French conquest. A road has been cut through the centre of the building, the mosque turned into barracks, and the hall of audience allowed to fall into ruin. There still remain a minaret and some marble arches and columns. Traces exist of the vaults in which were stored the treasures of the dey.
The Great Mosque (Jamaa-el-Kebir ) is the oldest mosque in Algiers. It was first built by Yusuf ibn Tashfin, but reconstructed many times. The pulpit (minbar ) bears an inscription showing that the building existed in 1097. The minaret was built by the sultan of Tlemcen, in 1324. The interior of the mosque is square and is divided into aisles by columns joined by Moorish arches.
The New Mosque (Jamaa-el-Jedid ), dating from the 17th century, is in the form of a Greek cross, surmounted by a large white cupola, with four small cupolas at the corners. The minaret is 90 feet (27 m) high. The interior resembles that of the Grand Mosque.
The church of the Holy Trinity (built in 1870) stands at the southern end of the rue d'Isly near the site of the demolished Fort Bab Azoun . The interior is richly decorated with various coloured marbles. Many of these marbles contain memorial inscriptions relating to the British residents (voluntary and involuntary) of Algiers from the time of John Tipton, the first English consul, in 1580 (NB Some sources give 1585). One tablet records that in 1631 two Algerine pirate crews landed in Ireland, sacked Baltimore.
The Ketchaoua mosque (Djamaa Ketchaoua ), at the foot of the Casbah, was before independence in 1962 the cathedral of St Philippe, itself made in 1845 from a mosque dating from 1612. The principal entrance, reached by a flight of 23 steps, is ornamented with a portico supported by four black-veined marble columns. The roof of the nave is of Moorish plaster work. It rests on a series of arcades supported by white marble columns. Several of these columns belonged to the original mosque. In one of the chapels was a tomb containing the bones of San Geronimo. The building seems a curious blend of Moorish and Byzantine styles.
Algiers possesses a college with schools of law, medicine, science and letters. The college buildings are large and handsome. The Bardo Museum in Tunisia holds some of the ancient sculptures and mosaics discovered in Algeria, together with medals and Algerian money.
The port of Algiers is sheltered from all winds. There are two harbours, both artificial—the old or northern harbour and the southern or Agha harbour. The northern harbour covers an area of 235 acres (95 ha) (95 ha). An opening in the south jetty affords an entrance into Agha harbour, constructed in Agha Bay. Agha harbour has also an independent entrance on its southern side. The inner harbour was begun in 1518 by Khair-ad-Din Barbarossa (see History, below), who, to accommodated his pirate vessels, caused the island on which was Fort Penon to be connected with the mainland by a mole. The lighthouse which occupies the site of Fort Penon was built in 1544.
Algiers was a walled city from the time of the deys until the close of the 19th century. The French, after their occupation of the city (1830), built a rampart, parapet and ditch, with two terminal forts, Bab Azoun to the south and Bab-el-Oued to the north. The forts and part of the ramparts were demolished at the beginning of the 20th century, when a line of forts occupying the heights of Bouzareah (at an elevation of 1,300 feet (396 m) above the sea) took their place. Notre Dame d'Afrique, a church built (1858–1872) in a mixture of the Roman and Byzantine styles, is conspicuously situated overlooking the sea, on the shoulder of the Bouzareah hills, 2 miles (3.2 km) to the north of the city. Above the altar is a statue of the Virgin depicted as a black woman. The church also contains a solid silver statue of the archangel Michael, belonging to the confraternity of Neapolitan fishermen.
Villa Abd-el-Tif, former residence of the dey, was used during the French period, to accommodate French artists, chiefly painters, and winners of the Abd-el-Tif prize, among whom Maurice Boitel, for a while of two years. Nowadays, Algerian artists are back in the villa's studios.
Monuments :
•Notre Dame d'Afrique , accessible by one cable car, is one of the city's most outstanding monuments: located in the district of Z' will ghara, the basilica was built around 1858.
•Monument des Martyrs ( Maquam E' chahid ): an iconic concrete monument commemorating the Algerian war for independence. The monument was opened in 1982 on the 20th anniversary of Algeria's independence. It is fashioned in the shape of three standing palm leaves which shelter the "Eternal Flame" beneath. At the edge of each palm leaf stands a statue of a soldier, each representing a stage of Algeria's struggle.
•The El Jedid mosque at the Place des Martyrs near the port.
•Place of the Emir Abdelkader (formerly Bugeaud): in memory of the famous emir Abd El-Kader, resistant during French conquest of Algeria.
•Grand Post Office (1910, by Voinot and Tondoire): construction of the neo-Moorish type which is in full centre town of Algiers.
•The Jardin d'essai (Garden of Test; El-Hamma): situated in the east of Algiers, it extends over 80 hectares (198 acres) and contains exotic plants and gardens. It was created in 1832 by A. Hardy.
•Villa Abd-el-Hair , with the top of the Garden of test, one of the old residences of the dey, where until 1962, were placed the artists prizes winner of Price Abd-el-Hair, and in particular Maurice Boitel and Andre Hamburg.
•Citadel .
•Riadh El-Feth (shopping centre and art gallery).
•Ketchaoua Mosque (This mosque became the Saint-Philippe cathedral during colonization before becoming again a mosque).
•National Library , is in the district of El HAMMA. Architecture modèrne.
•The Great Mosque of Algiers at the Rue de la Marine. It is the oldest mosque of Algiers and was built during the reign of the Almoravid sultan Yusuf ibn Tashfin.
Demographics :
Algiers has a population of about 5,000,000 (2011 estimates).
The ethnic distribution is 53% from an Arabic-speaking background, 44% from a Berber-speaking background and 3% foreign-born, mostly from China, Vietnam, and Mali.
•1940 – 300,000 people lived in Algiers.
•1960 – 900,000 people lived in Algiers.
•1963 – 600.000 people lived in Algiers.
Year Population :
1977 (Census) 1,353,826
1987 (Census) 1,507,241
1998 (Census) 1,519,570
2007 (Estimate) 2,072,993
Economy :
Algiers is an important economic, commercial and financial center, with in particular a stock exchange with a capitalisation of 60 million euros. The city has the highest cost of living of any city in North Africa, as well as the 50th highest worldwide, as of March 2007, having gained one position compared to the previous year.
Mohamed Ben Ali El Abbar, president of the Council d administration of the emirate group EMAAR, presented five "megaprojects" to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, during a ceremony which took place Saturday, July 15 with the Palate of the People of Algiers. The projects will transform the city of Algiers and its surroundings by equipping them with a retail area, and restoration and leisure facilities.
The first project will concentrate on the reorganization and the development of the infrastructures of the railway station "Aga" located in the downtown area. Ultramodern, the station, intended to accommodate more than 80.000 passengers per day, will become a center of circulation in the heart of the grid system, surrounded by commercial offices and buildings and hotels intended for travelers in transit. A shopping centre and three high-rise office buildings rising with the top of the commercial zone will accompany the project.
The second project will relate to the bay of Algiers and aims to revitalize the sea front. The development of the 44 km (27 mi) sea front will include marinas, channels, luxury hotels, offices, apartments of great standing, luxury stores and leisure amenities. A crescent-shaped peninsula will be set up on the open sea. The project of the bay of Algiers will also comprise six small islands, of which four of round form, connected to each other by bridges and marinas and will include tourist and residential complexes.
The third project will relate to restructuring an area of Algiers, qualified by the originators of the project of "city of wellness". El Abbar indicated to the journalists that the complex would be "agréable for all those which will want to combine tourism and wellbeing or tourism and relaxation". The complex will include a university, a research center and a medical centre. It should also include a hospital complex, a care, centre, a hotel zone, an urban centre and a thermal spa with villas and apartments. The university will include a medical school and a school for care male nurses which will be able to accommodate 500 students. The university campus will have the possibility of seeing setting up broad ranges of buildings of research laboratories and residences.
Another project relates to technological implantation of a campus in Sidi Abdellah, 25 km (16 mi) south-east from Algiers. This 90 hectares (222 acres) site will include shopping centres, residential zones with high standard apartments and a golf course surrounded by villas and hotels. Two other residential zones, including 1.800 apartments and 40 high standard villas, will be built on the surrounding hills.
The fifth project is that of the tourist complex Colonel Abbès, which will be located 25 km (16 mi) west from Algiers. This complex will include several retail zones, meeting places, and residential zones composed of apartments and villas with views of the sea.[citation needed]
A Hewlett Packard office for French-speaking countries in Africa is in Algiers.
Tourist installations :
Some 20 km (12 mi) to the west of Algiers are such seaside resorts as Sidi Fredj (ex-Sidi Ferruch), Palm Beach, Douaouda, Zéralda, and the Club of the Pines (residence of State); there are tourist complexes, Algerian and other restaurants, souvenir shops, supervised beaches, and other amenities. The city is also equipped with important hotel complexes such as the hotel Hilton, El-Aurassi or El Djazair. Algiers also has the first water park in the country. The tourism of Algiers is growing but is not as developed as that of the larger cities in Morocco or Tunisia.
Public transport :
•ETUSA (urban and suburban bus transportation for Algiers) operates bus service in Algiers and the surrounding suburbs. 54 lines are currently operating, with service from 5:30 a.m. to 12:45 a.m.
•SNTF (national railroad company) operates commuter-rail lines connecting the capital to the surrounding suburbs.
•Algiers Metro, opened November 1, 2011.
•Algiers tramway, opened on May 8, 2011.
•Houari Boumediene Airport is located 20 km (12 mi) from the city. The airport serves domestics, many European cities, West Africa, the Middle East, Asia and North America. On July 5, 2006, a new international air terminal was opened for service. The terminal is managed by Aéroports de Paris.
4 urban ropeways:
•El Madania – Belouizdad
•Notre Dame d’Afrique – Bologhine
•Memorial des Martyres/Riad el Feth – Jardin d’essais
•Palais de la culture – Oued Kniss
Province projects :
Several ongoing projects aim to solve Algiers deficit and transportation problems. A tram connecting the downtown area to Dergana is expected to open by the end of 2010.[16] Subway lines connecting Tafourah-Large Harrach Post office-El were expected in 2008, in addition to three Regional Express Network (RER) lines: Algiers-Aga-Thenia, Algiers-Aga-Elafroun, Algiers-Aga-Zeralda. Three new cable cars, reconstruction of roads and restoration of the city station—which will accommodate the High-speed rail line connecting Annaba, Algiers and Oran—are also ongoing. Congestion control measures including new roundabouts and motorways are also being added to the city.
Dubai's Emaar Properties invested $20 billion for the development of several projects for Algeria. It covers the construction of a new town called Sidi Abdellah, a tourist resort and a health resort on the western outskirts of Algiers. The redevelopment of Algiers waterfront is being considered as part of the development contract, which is planned to include a shopping mall, Marriott hotel, a business district with shopping centre and the largest mosque in Algiers.
New residential developments aim to solve Algiers current housing shortage.[citation needed]
Sports :
Algiers is the largest sporting centre of Algeria. The city has a number of professional clubs in the variety of sports, which have won national and international titles. Among the sports facilities within the city, there is an enormous sporting complex – Complex of OCO – Mohamed Boudiaf. This includes the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 (capacity 80,000), a venue for athletics, an Olympic swimming pool, a multisports room (the Cupola), an 18-hole golf course, and several tennis courts.
The following major sporting events have been held in Algiers (not-exhaustive list):
•Mediterranean Games 1975.
•All-Africa Games 1978, 2007.
•African Cup of Nations 1990.
•African Handball Nations Championship 1989, 2001. •Pan Arab Games 2004.
•FIBA Africa Championship 2005.
•Men's U19 World Championship 2005.
Football clubs :
Principal clubs of association football of the city (having already evolved/moved in Division 1):
•MC El Eulma
•MC Alger
•USM Alger
•CR Belouizdad
•NA Hussein Dey
•Paradou AC
•USM El Harrach
•RC Kouba
•OMR El Annasser
•DNC Algiers
Algiers Hotels and Accommodation :
Visitors to Algeria will find a variety of accommodation and lodging on offer, including hotels, guest houses, self catering accommodation and camp sites. Prices vary, according to the facilities on offer and the location. As a rule, Algeria hotels tend to offer fairly good value for money. For those on a tight budget, there are usually plenty of options.
Most hotels in Algeria can be found in the capital city, Algiers, and other main cities, such as Oran. Visitors who plan to travel around Algeria, for example into the desert region of the country, should not experience too many problems finding accommodation. However, choice can be rather limited in smaller towns or those which are off the tourist track.
Algiers in particular, is becoming a popular destination for business delegations and conferences and at these times, finding rooms can be more difficult.
Algeria Hotels, Holidays and Accommodation: Where to Stay
There is no shortage of hotels in Algiers. These range from the five-star accommodation offered by the likes of the Sofitel Algiers Hamma Garden, to quite basic rooms with very few frills. Visitors can also choose between modern buildings, like the distinctive box-like Hotel Aurassi, or those which harp back to Algiers' colonial past.
There are plenty of mid-range hotels and similar accommodation options in this part of Algeria, many of which can be found in the lower part of Algiers city, close to the sea. The facilities that are on offer can vary widely. Some rooms come with air conditioning, whilst other hotels boast their own restaurant. If you can find one with both, then it's a real boon after a long day of sightseeing.
Backpackers in Algiers are well served by several budget hotels. Indeed, there are quite a few located around the Place Port Said area. Amidst the hustle and bustle of its shops and cafes, they can be lively places. Expect basic facilities, including communal showers.
Outside of Algeria's capital city, most towns can offer at least one hotel. Facilities vary widely, as do the prices of rooms. In many cases, breakfast is included, although it is worth checking that this is the case. Youth hostel accommodation can be found in over 60 towns throughout Algeria and is perfect if cheap lodging is the order of the day. Whilst being very basic, they do offer the advantage of a self-catering kitchen where you can prepare your own meals.
For those who are travelling around the country and prefer the freedom of the great outdoors, most towns in Algeria can offer at least a camp site or two. They are excellent places to meet up with fellow travellers and are good value if a little basic as far as facilities are concerned.
Algiers Restaurants and Dining :
Most of the restaurants and upscale dining establishments of Algeria can be found in its larger cities, particularly Algiers. Elsewhere, visitors have plenty of opportunities to sample local dishes in the small restaurants, cafes and eateries found in most small towns. Alternatively, diners punctuate Algeria's highways and are a great way to sample traditional cuisine.
Dining out in Algeria gives visitors an opportunity to experience a taste of daily life and meet the locals. However, if you're simply too tired to search for somewhere to eat after a long day of sightseeing, then some hotels may have their own restaurants to hand.
When to Eat / Opening Hours :
In Algiers and elsewhere in Algeria, evening meals are served from around 20:00 onwards. For snacks and coffee earlier in the day, many cafes tend to open quite early in the morning, from around 06:00. They may also reopen later in the evening.
Restaurants and dining venues in larger hotels, such as the Sofitel in Algiers, offer a range of opening hours and menus.
What to Eat :
Traditional Algerian cuisine has a number of influences, including those from the French, Berber, Arab and Turkish cultures. Expect to enjoy meals based on olives, fruit, vegetables and spices.
The dish most closely associated with Algeria is couscous, a staple that resembles pasta but is actually made from semolina. Couscous is served in local restaurants as both as a savoury - with lamb, chicken or fish, and as a sweet dish - with cinnamon and dates. Bread, tomatoes, potatoes, courgettes (zucchinis) and chillies are also often key ingredients in North African cuisine. Even in the desert region of Algeria, fresh fruit and vegetables are widely available.
Small cafes generally sell the usual array of snacks, such as brochettes, chicken and salad. And of course, no meal is complete without a glass of mint tea. This hot beverage is popular throughout North Africa and is very refreshing.
Following Ramadan fasting, which is widely observed in Algeria, a special meal is served. This usually involves a soup or stew for starters, followed by a lamb or beef dish for main course. For dessert, fresh fruit is always provided.
Where to Eat :
In Algiers and other large Algerian cities, most traditional restaurants serve typical Algerian food. However, in recent years, these have been joined by fast-food restaurants and those with a more international menu to tempt the city's diners. The latter are particularly popular with younger visitors and locals. Most dining venues and eateries in Algiers tend to be located in the heart of the city and offer reasonably priced meals.
Outside of Algeria's cities, the majority of towns have a restaurant or two, where it is possible to enjoy lunch or dinner, as well as a cafe where you can linger over a cup of tea or coffee.
Roadside restaurants are usually fairly basic-looking affairs, from the outside at least, and certainly don't offer a fine dining experience. However, they offer a welcome respite when you're travelling along Algeria's roads and can usually be relied upon to serve a decent meal. Choice of dishes on offer can be rather limited, it has to be said, although it may be possible to negotiate if, for example, you are vegetarian.
Algeria Shopping and Districts :
Algeria is a great place to shop for gifts to take home or local souvenirs. Carpets, jewellery and crafted wood items are all good souvenirs to look out for. As well as craft and street markets, most towns have a few small shops where it is possible to pick up something a little different.
When you are out shopping, it is worth bearing in mind that prices can vary widely. It helps to look at what else is on offer before making your purchase. Larger cities in Algeria offer state-run shops, which are also a useful way of finding out the general cost of items.
It's usual to try some bargaining when you're making your purchase, particularly at traditional markets.
When to Shop / Opening Hours :
In Algeria, shops are usually closed for just one day in the week - Friday. General opening hours are between 09:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 19:00.
Where to Shop :
Visitors who want to engage in some retail therapy should head to the vibrant Rue Didouche Mourad street in Algiers, where there is plenty of opportunity to spend your holiday money.
A few supermarkets have arrived in Algeria in recent years. These are located in the larger cities, such as Algiers and Oran, and include those operated by French hypermarket chain, Carrefour.
Outside Algiers, you will always find a market where you can purchase fresh fruit and vegetables, olives and dates, as well as an array of spices.
Markets are also great places to buy locally made handicrafts and souvenirs. In the south of Algeria, look out for items made by the local Tuareg people.
Algiers Golf Courses and Club :
There really is only one golf course of note in the whole of Algeria and it is located within the city of Algiers. Known as simply the Algiers Golf Club, the course features 18 well-laid out holes, which are spread over approximately 10 km / 6 miles.
The course itself has been strategically designed and positioned to provide stunning views of both the Algiers cityscape and the adjacent Mediterranean coastline.
Although locals often enjoy a round of golf at the Algiers Golf Club, many of the patrons do tend to be tourists and holidaymakers, who can more comfortably afford the green fees, equipment hire and available golfing lessons.
Golfing in Algiers :
A restaurant is located onsite should you require a bite to eat after the game. Those feeling particularly sporty and energetic may even like to take advantage of the tennis courts and other outdoor facilities on offer.
Address: Algiers Golf Club, Rue Ahmed Ouaked Dely-Ibrahim, Algiers, 16000, Algeria.
Tel: +213 21 37 57 90
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