Living in Algeria: the ultimate expat guide

The Democratic Republic of Algeria, or Algeria in short, is located in the middle of North Africa. It is deemed to be very conducive towards expatriation for various reasons. Algeria is one of Africa and Arabia's biggest countries. It is surrounded by Tunisia in the North-east, Libya in the East, Nigeria and Mali in the South, Mauritania and Western Sahara in the South-west and Morocco in the West. Thus, the country is known as a major gateway over the North-African region.

The country generally attracts qualified professionals for its developed economy thanks to its numerous economic pillars as well as national and international firms operating there. Culture is another aspect to be considered during your expatriation to Algeria. You are definitely not likely to be disappointed.

Features

Algiers is Algeria's capital city while Oran, Constantine and Annaba are its other major cities. In fact, located in the North of the Mediterranean Sea, Algiers is the Maghreb region's second major city after Casablanca in Morocco. It is also known to be Algeria's main port city thanks to its huge export center and industrial activities which are based on oil, metals and food. It also hosts the first Algerian university and an international airport.

Oran, for its part, is the country's economic, commercial, industrial, cultural and academic hub, also hosting the country's second largest port. As regard Constantine, its activities revolve around trade, industry, and crafts. It remains a key region in terms of trade and communication. Finally, Annaba hosts North-east Algeria's major port. Being the country's fourth major city, is has been submitted to an intensive urbanization for a few years. Hence, its population has known consequent growth lately. It is also a key industrial and commercial hub.

Demography and languages

As at January 2014, the Algerian population consisted of some 38.7 million inhabitants, including a large number of foreigners. Expatriates in Algeria indeed represent foreign expertise in various fields.

Classic Arab is the country's official language, but Arab Berber is recognized as the national language since 2002. In your everyday life in Algeria, you will come across people speaking Algerian Arabic and chatting in Dardja which is an Arabic dialect retaining some Berber words as well as some French, Turkish and Spanish terms.

In some regions, locals are more fluent in Berber. Note that the colonization period has strongly influenced the Algerian vocabulary. However, the government has been attempting to arabize the country since independence by recommending classic Arabic rather than Dardja and Berber.

Economy

Algeria is not only a member of the United Nations, but also of the African Union, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Arab League. In 1996, it has also joined the Petroleum Exporting Countries Organization of which it has remained an important and strategic member. Note that the country's economy mainly relies on tax revenues at some 97% on exports, 60% on tax revenues and around 35% on hydrocarbons. In short, Algeria enjoys financial and economic stability.

In 2013, the country's GDP amounted to some $ 209 billion. Unemployment rate, for its part, was at 9.7% of the active population, including 24.3% of youth.

Climate

Northern Algeria enjoys a Mediterranean climate while a desert climate prevails on the South. In general, the weather is rather sunny with variable winds in both areas. In the northern coastal regions, winter temperatures vary between 8 and 15 °C. In the Kabylia mountains, these can fall down to -7 °C. In the South, near the Sahara region, winter temperature range between 15 and 28 °C. In summer, temperatures can rise up to 40 and 45 °C against 25 to 30 °C from May to August in Northern Algeria's coastal regions.

Useful links:

Expat.com ' Algeria