Some basic facts about
Algeria
:
Government:
The president, the head of state of Algeria, is elected for a five-year term. Elected officials are believed to have relatively little influence over the governing of Algeria. Instead, a group of unelected civilian and military men is thought to actually rule the country. The most powerful man at present is the head of the military intelligence.
Climate and Geography:
Algiers, the capital of Algeria, is on the
Mediterranean coast
.
Most of the coastal region (where 90% of the population lives) is hilly, sometimes even mountainous. A significant portion of the
Sahara desert
comprises the southern part of Algeria. In the desert regions of Algeria, midday temperatures are hot year round. After sunset, the clear dry air allows the temperatures to cool, sometimes even be chilly.
Religion:
Islam (mostly Sunnis) is the predominant religion of Algeria.
According to a 2012 estimate, Muslims make up 99% of the population.