|
First OPEC member to
nationalize oil industry
Algeria is one of the
world’s most important oil and gas exporters |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Butcher's shop in old quarter Algiers |
|
|
| When the French colonists left
Algeria, they left much of the richest land, which the government distributed to
Algerians. But they gave it to Algerians who had no knowledge about how to cultivate the
earth. (Mohammed Arkoun) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| History
- Modern |
|
|
- War for Independence from France 1954-1962
- Coup brings Houari Boumedienne to power 1965
- End of 1970, all non-French oil companies’ assets nationalized
- 1971: partial nationalization of concessions held by French companies
- Generals, such as Major Gen. Mohammed Lamari and retired general Lamine
Zerroual, aborted Algeria's elections, in an attempt to stop an Islamist movement from
winning 1992
- President Mohamed Boudiaf assassinated 1992
- Colonel Kasdi Merbah, former Prime Minister, assassinated in an ambush
outside Algiers August 23, 1993
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Language |
|
|
- Arabic (official)
- French
- Berber dialects
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Religion |
|
|
- Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%
- Christian and Jewish 1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
