Search

a republic in NW Africa: formerly comprised 13 departments of France; gained independence 1962. 919,352 sq. mi. (2,381,122 sq. km).
Capital: Algiers.
Contemporary Examples

The biggest country in Africa today, Algeria, has given Gaddafi’s family safe haven in exile.
Which Middle East Dictator Is Going Down Next? Bruce Riedel October 19, 2011

These last are Afghanistan, Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and Yemen.
Profiling Whole Nations Tunku Varadarajan January 3, 2010

Linda Kabouli, 52, came to Sderot with her parents from Algeria at age one.
Red Alerts At A Sderot Hair Salon Orly Halpern October 31, 2012

In the last few days, growing unrest has hit Egypt, Algeria, and Jordan.
Lebanon’s Dangerous Power Struggle Christopher Dickey January 24, 2011

Iran, Russia, and Algeria are the only three countries that continue selling oil to Syria.
Under Siege, Damascus Gets Desperate for Food and Fuel Mikel Ayestaran December 13, 2012

Historical Examples

Of all the ladies on the Algeria, I question if there were any but the staunchest Protestants.
Lippincott’s Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Vol. XII. No. 30. September, 1873 Various

As I said before, Algeria has been a fine field for the development of military genius.
Edmond Dants Edmund Flagg

Supposing 100,000 men sent from France to Algeria for six years’ service.
Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 65, No. 399, January 1849 Various

Footnote 437: Including representatives of Algeria and the colonies.
The Governments of Europe Frederic Austin Ogg

When the French made their conquest, they sent to the Tuatees to renew their tribute to them as the actual masters of Algeria.
Narrative of a Mission to Central Africa Performed in the Years 1850-51, Volume 1 James Richardson

noun
a republic in NW Africa, on the Mediterranean: became independent in 1962, after more than a century of French rule; one-party constitution adopted in 1976; religious extremists led a campaign of violence from 1988 until 2000; consists chiefly of the N Sahara, with the Atlas Mountains in the north, and contains rich deposits of oil and natural gas. Official languages: Arabic and Berber; French also widely spoken. Religion: Muslim. Currency: dinar. Capital: Algiers. Pop: 38 087 812 (2013 est). Area: about 2 382 800 sq km (920 000 sq miles) French name Algérie (alʒeri)

North African country, named for Algiers, city chosen by the French as its capital when they colonized it in 1830 + Latinate “country” suffix -ia. The city name is Arabic al-Jazair, literally “the islands,” in reference to four islands formerly off the coast but joined to the mainland since 1525. A resident of the place formerly was an Algerine (1650s), and the word was practically synonymous with “pirate” in English and U.S. usage early 19c.

Republic in northwest Africa, bordered to the north by the Mediterranean Sea, to the east by Tunisia and Libya, to the south by Niger and Mali, and to the west by Mauritania and Morocco. Its capital and largest city is Algiers.

Note: Colonized by France in the nineteenth century, Algeria was involved in a long and bloody battle for independence, gaining full autonomy in the early 1960s.