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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.

For many years, Bengaluru was known throughout India as the greenest, liberal and forward-thinking city. In recent years, these attributes have propelled Bengaluru to the forefront of the high-tech industry boom in India, and it currently ranks as India’s most developed city and one of the world’s fastest growing urban areas.

Bengaluru has many nicknames. Garden City was once the nickname Bengaluru proudly claimed before rising population and pollution reduced the amount of green space and Bangaloreans quietly began referring to their city as the Silicon Valley of India. With its many pubs and bars, and also with the city being the headquarters of United Breweries, makers of the popular Kingfisher Beer, Bengaluru is a drinker’s dream.

Bengaluru is situated at an altitude of 920 meters above sea level and famous for its tree-lined streets and profuse greenery. Unlike other parts of India which are extremely hot in the summer months, Bengaluru enjoys a relatively mild climate year round.

Modern marvels combined with stunning nightlife make it an ideal destination for everybody. Bengaluru has carved a special niche for itself in the Software Services world. So as corollary to this it is a place frequented by the technology Czars from all over the world. Added to this the salubrious climate of the place and its other interesting attractions make it a captivating destination for leisure vacationers too.

Bengaluru is famous for its innumerable educational and research institutes. The India Institute of Science, set in sprawling grounds, is the largest and best in India. It does cutting-edge research on almost any topic imaginable. There is also the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, which conducts two sky-gazing shows daily, and conducts many exhibitions and workshops by / for children

Bengaluru provides wide range of options for shoppers. One can buy many things ranging from silk saree and latest clothing to hi-fi electronic goods and latest vehicles. Being IT city, Bengaluru provides all kind of services but one might find things to be costlier.

Many visitors come to Bengaluru searching only for sandalwood carvings and silk sarees and so miss out on the true Bengaluru shopping experience. Here is a low down on shopping - Bengaluru style:

The M.G Road/Brigade Road area is the most popular place for tourists, and these two roads are filled with shops of every kind, whether it be traditional handicrafts or the latest western wear (this is especially true for Brigade Road). The dialing code for Bengaluru is 080. When calling from overseas, dial +91 80 XXXX XXXX.

If you don’t have an Indian phone number, it is strongly recommended that you get a pre-paid calling card if you plan on using your phone frequently. Because of government regulations, you need a photocopy of your passport (visa and the ID pages) and a color photo when buying a pre-paid card. Pre-paid cards are sold in most shops that sell mobile equipment.

Bengaluru is a relatively safe city. But it is not advisable to walk along deserted alleyways or lanes after dark. Rising incomes has brought an influx of people from outside the city, leading to extreme disparities in earnings between localites and people from other states, which arguably has resulted in a substantial increase in crime rates. Avoid using an auto rickshaw if the driver is not alone.