Go Trail
ALGERIA: The Largest African Country | 10 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT IT
Algeria is the largest country in Africa, in the Arab world, but also in the entire Mediterranean basin, with an area of more than two million square kilometers. Traces also reveal that this territory would have been populated for millions of years. And since then, kingdoms and regimes have followed one another before giving rise to Algeria as we know it today. So, are you ready to learn some fascinating things? Because today we're going to take a little tour of Algeria in 10 interesting facts.
Algeria is a country with many places classified as world heritage by UNESCO. The limestone valley of M'Zab is one of them, and it is definitely a fascinating place in Algeria. Their atypical architecture makes the charm of this valley, which draws a trade route through the Sahara. The Mzab valley was originally composed of fortified villages inhabited primarily by refugees from Tahert. The latter were fleeing persecution and ended up settling there with a way of life that has endured with age. The houses are arranged around the mosque in the form of a circle, and were all built to the same dimensions and configuration. This shows an architectural genius for the time!
If you have the opportunity to attend an Algerian wedding, don't miss it under any circumstances! This is one aspect of the culture that you should discover. First, the bride must leave the family home under the wing of her father, as is the tradition. She is then welcomed by a brass band, with the you-yous of the women, and joins her future husband. By the way, you may not know it, but in Algeria, the bride changes her dress during the celebration! She dresses in a Kabyle dress, then ends up wearing a white wedding dress at the end of the ceremony. And speaking of celebration, we must admit that Algerians are really into parties: it is impossible to see someone who does not dance during a wedding party. The will is also evident in the food, they feast as it should be with a banquet prepared at length, and almost at will as the food is abundant! Of course, Algeria being a Muslim country, alcohol was not at the rendezvous. Nevertheless, it proves that there is no need for alcohol or artifices to enjoy the party and show his joy.
If there is a national animal to represent the Algerian nation, it is the dromedary. In the Algerian culture, the dromedary is the noble animal par excellence. This is explained by its color, its appearance, its morphology ... The camel is used as a saddle animal, perfectly suited to the race and raids in the Sahara desert that constitutes the territory. These animals can measure up to 3 meters long and 2.40 meters high. This typical emblem of the Middle East and Africa, the dromedary has managed to adapt to its particularly hostile environment: it is a very enduring animal despite the overwhelming heat of the region. As a result, this animal has served as the only means of transport for a very long time, for both people and goods! But today, this animal is especially famous for its breeding in the country. It is estimated that the Algerian livestock includes about 150 000 heads. This breeding is undergoing a significant expansion, especially with the strengthening of certain measures in
the country, such as the drilling of wells along the routes. In addition, the financial aid granted to camel breeders has increased, and this has motivated some to launch their production. Thus, camels are raised for their meat, but also for their milk.
It is impossible not to talk about Islam, which is the most practiced religion in Algeria, as 99% of the inhabitants are Muslims. More than a belief, Islam acts on the whole way of life of the Algerians and holds a very particular influence on the functioning of the country. But where does the importance of Islam in the country come from? It is simple, this religion has been an integral part of the culture for more than 1 000 years. It was first introduced to Algeria in 670, in the context of the Muslim conquest of North Africa. This conquest was carried out under the orders of the Umayyads, who were a very important Muslim dynasty at the time. Its name derives from the great-uncle of the prophet Mohammed, and their dominance over the territory lasted several hundred years. Thus, the first mosque ever founded in Algeria is the Sidi Ghanem mosque, located in the city of Mila in 678. Many Berbers converted to Islam and eventually formed their own Muslim dynasties, such as the Zirids or the Hammadids.
Please subscribe and turn on the notification bell to be notified of future videos.
Contact info:
1) Email: africarevealed2@gmail.com
2) Facebook: Africa Revealed
3) Instagram: africarevealed.tv
4) Tiktok: @africarevealed
Published Sep 18, 2023
