Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.)
Languages
Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Exports
petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%
External Debt
$4,699,000,000 $
Exchange Rate
Algerian dinars (DZD) per US dollar - 63.25 (2008 est.), 69.9 (2007), 72.647 (2006), 73.276 (2005), 72.061 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
3.300%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
2
0
Location
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo
Area
2,381,741 km sq
1,246,700 km sq
Coastline
998 km
1,600 km
Climate
arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer
semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)