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Algeria is the second-largest country in Africa. Algeria has been dominated by civil wars and the country is gradually restoring order. The name Algeria is derived from the name of the city of Algiers, from the Arabic word al-jaz’ir. Algeria was originally inhabited by the Berbers until the Arabs conquered North Africa in the seventh century. Four-fifths of its territory covered by the Sahara desert.

You can reach Algeria by train from Tunisia, but you will need to change the train at the border. Taxis and Buses are very cheap, and it should take a few dinars to go a couple of miles. The official language is Arabic and Arabic is quite a different dialect due to the influence of Berber and French. French is still widely spoken, particularly in urban areas. Algeria has a great variety of beaches to explore, each with their own attractions. Some of the most popular beaches that are enjoyed by hundreds of tourists each year include Canastel, Sablettes, Les Andalouses, Ain El Turk and Kristel. If you want to spend a day at the beach, it is advised to find out which beaches are less conservative, as most local women swim with a pair of shorts over their bathing costumes.

Algeria faces a serious internal security problem from terrorist insurgency and that travelers by road in northern Algeria are at risk of attack by terrorist groups. Terrorism in Algeria is focused only in certain areas in the evening. These are Ain Defla, Relizane, Laarba, Chlef, Medea, and Collo. Avoid traveling at night, travel by plane if you can instead of car and avoid minor roads. One should take extra care when eating in restaurants, as there is a high possibility of getting food poisoning. Mosquitoes are also a problem in Algeria and it’s not dangerous because malaria is not common. When travelling in Algeria one should always use sun protection.

The majority religion is Islam and the normal religious prohibitions and attitudes will apply. When visiting a mosque, be sure to remove your shoes as well as dress conservatively. Talking politics is probably not advisable. Keep in mind to only drink at home or in a bar, and never on the street. Northern Algeria is in the temperate zone and has a mild, Mediterranean climate. It lies within approximately the same latitudes as southern California and has somewhat similar climatic conditions.