After more than a century of rule by France, Algerians fought through most of the 1950s to achieve independence in July 1962. The People's Democratic Republic of Algeria is a gateway between Africa and Europe. The country has 48 provinces and three major languages are spoken - Arabic (the official language), French, and Berber dialects.

Leader: President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (since 1999)
Capital city: Algiers

Economic profile

Monetary unit: Algerian dinar
GDP per capita: $7 300 (2010) (CIA)
GDP composition by sector:
Agriculture: 8.3% of GDP (2009) (World Bank)
Industry: 61.5% of GDP (2009) (World Bank)
Services: 30.2% of GDP (2009) (World Bank)
GDP growth rate: 3.3% (2010) (CIA)

Budget:
Government revenue, including grants: $66.46-billion (2011) (CIA)
Government expenditure and net lending: $85.07-billion (2011) (CIA)
Consumer price inflation: 5.7% (2009) (World Bank)
Industries: Petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemicals, and food processing.
Exports of goods and nonfactor services: $52.66-billion (2010) (IMF)
Imports of goods and nonfactor services: 25% of GDP (2010) (IMF)
Import commodities: Capital goods, foodstuffs, and consumer goods.
Export commodities: Petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products.
Reserves: $155-billion (2009) (World Bank)
Market capitalisation of listed companies: Figures not available
Social profile

Population: 34.9955-million (2011) (CIA)
Population growth: 1.17% (2011) (CIA)
Life expectancy at birth: 74 years (2009) (CIA)
Adult literacy: 74.5% (2011) (CIA)
School enrolment primary: 108% (2009) (World Bank)
School enrolment secondary: 83,1% (2005) (World Bank)