From Wikitravel

Algeria is a country in North Africa. It has a Mediterranean Sea coastline in the north. It is surrounded by Morocco to the northwest, Tunisia to the northeast, Libya to the east, Niger to the southeast, Mali to the southwest, Mauritania and Western Sahara to the west. After Sudan, Algeria is the second-largest country in Africa.

[edit] Regions

• Algiers Province - the metropolitan area around the capital
• Northeast Algeria - the extensive mountains and high plains east of Algiers
• Northwest Algeria - the mountainous coastal area west of Algiers
• Saharan Atlas - the mountain range inland of the high plateaus
• Saharan Algeria - the vast desert in the south of the country

[edit] Cities

• Algiers - Capital

• Annaba
• Batna
• Bechar
• Constantine
• Jijel
• Oran
• Sétif
• Sidi Bel Abbès
• Tamanrasset
• Tlemcen

[edit] Other destinations

[edit] Understand

Much of recent Algerian history has been dominated by civil wars and subsequent warlordism. That said, the country is gradually restoring order and will prove an interesting - if difficult - destination.

[edit] Electricity

Officially 220V 50Hz. Outlets are the European standard CEE-7/7 "Schukostecker" or "Schuko" or the compatible, but non-grounded, CEE-7/16 "Europlug" types. Generally speaking, U.S. and Canadian travelers should pack an adapter for these outlets if they plan to use North American electrical equipment in Algeria.

[edit] Get in

[edit] Visa

VISA INSTRUCTIONS

For inquiries about visa application status, please contact the visa office from Monday to Thursday from 9:00 to 11:00 am

• Please read carefully the instructions before filling out the application forms. Answer all the questions on the application form and fill out all the sections of the form. For example, if your parents are deceased, give their full names. Do not leave the section blank or write simply “Deceased”.
• Both forms must bear the original signature of the applicant.
• Please note that no old visa forms will be accepted to apply for a visa. Use only the new application forms. Any application submitted using an old form will be rejected.
• The applications must be filled on screen only. No hand written will be accepted [1]

VISA REQUIREMENTS

1. Remember to submit your passport when you apply for a visa and please attach two recent passport pictures (glued or stapled) to the two forms, one on each form. The passport must be valid at least 06 months after the date of entry to Algeria.

2. A non-refundable money-order (individual) made payable to the order of the Embassy of Algeria in the amount of $100.00 for US citizens. All other nationals must check with the Visa Section for the applicable requirements and fees.

3. Business Visa applicants must include a letter on official letterhead from their employer stating the purpose of their trip, and the full names and addresses of their contacts in Algeria. Applicants must submit with their application an invitation letter from the Algerian company they intend to visit.

4. Work Visa applicants must submit with their visa application an employment authorization delivered by the Algerian Ministry of Labor. The Embassy will not accept any authorization faxed or mailed separately.

5. Tourism Visa applicants must submit an itinerary of their airline travel and a confirmed Hotel reservation in Algeria.

6. Family / Guest Visa: Applicants must provide with their application an invitation from their host in Algeria and notarized at the city hall of the place of residence of the Algerian host. The Embassy will not accept invitations faxed or sent separately.

Spouses of Algerian Citizens should submit a copy of the valid Consulate Registration Card of their spouse and a sponsorship letter signed by the Algerian spouse.

Return of Passports: Applicants may pick up their passports at the Embassy or send a prepaid self-addressed envelope with an express US postal service, including an air bill naming them as the sender and receiver of the mail. The Embassy is not responsible for the lost or delays of document by the post office or other visa services.

IMPORTANT:

- Complete documentation is required. Any incomplete documentation may extend the processing time or returned to applicant at cost. - Processing of an application may be delayed, if prior agreement by Algerian authorities is required. Furthermore, the Embassy reserves the right to request additional documentation from any applicant. It is not the responsibility of the Embassy if there is any delay in the processing of the visa application. - Applicants should make travel arrangements to Algeria based on the date of entry indicated on their visa. Applicants should not arrive in Algeria before that date; they will not be allowed to enter. In case of change in travel plans, applicants must obtain a new visa.

[edit] By plane

Regular direct flights from:

Spain: Barcelona, Madrid & Alicante

France: All major cities

Italy: Rome & Milan

UK: London Heathrow,Gatwick.

Germany: Frankfurt,Berlin.

Switzerland:Geneva ,basel.

Belgium:Brussels.

Canada:Montreal.

Turkey:Istanbul.

Russia:Moscow.

United Arab Emirates:Dubai,Sharajh and Ajman.

Morocco: Casablanca.

Tunisia: Tunis.

Lebanon: Beirut.

Qatar: Doha.

Egypt: Cairo.

[edit] By train

You can reach Algeria by train from Tunisia, but you will have to change the train at the border post. Trains are reasonable, but less comfortable than in Europe. The border between Algeria and Morocco is now open, however there are neither buses nor trains from Morocco.

[edit] By car

The only realistic way to reach Algeria by car is across the Tunisian border and Moroccan border which is now open. The Mauritanian and Malian borders present some security problems as well. Note that if you want to get into Algeria from Niger or from the Tozeur border post in southern Tunisia you'll have to contract an official guide to go with you across the Saharian routes, otherwise police will not allow you to get into Algeria with your car. There are no problems at all if you want to get into Algeria from Tunisian border posts in the north.

[edit] By bus

[edit] By boat

From/to Spain:

• Alicante to Algiers and Oran
• Almeria to Gazhaouet
• Barcelona to Algiers and Oran

From/to France:

• Marseille to almost every Algerian harbour (Annaba,Skikda,Bejaia,Jijel,Algiers,Oran)

From/to Italy:

• Napolis to tunis & take a road for 1 hour
• Roma(civitavecchia) to tunis & take a road for 1 hour

[edit] Get around

In Oran, taxis are very cheap, and a few dinars to go a couple of miles. Buses are almost the same. If you have 2-4 people, taxis are cheaper.

[edit] Talk

The official language is Arabic. Be warned, though, that North African (Maghrebi) Arabic is quite a different dialect to that spoken in other parts of the Arab World (such as Egypt). This is particularly due to the influence of Berber and French.

French, the former colonial language, is still widely spoken, particularly in urban areas.

Algeria's Berber (Tamazigh) population also hold strongly to their own languages, which are different again.

Arabic-sabah al khair - means Good Morning; Arabic-sabah ol khayr - means Good Morning; Arabic-ahlan/Marhaba - means hello; Beber-Azul - also means Hello.

Note: Usually only the young generation in Algeria understand English, but most people are able to communicate in French.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Dates

Ghardaia Carpets

Kabyl jewelry and pottery

Touaregs jewelry

Touaregs paintings

[edit][add listing] Eat

Fettate (Sahara specialty, Tamanrasset)

Taguella (bread of sand, nomade speciality)

Couscous (steamed semolina with a red or white sauce containing meat and/or chicken, potatoes, carrots, courgette and chick peas)

Buseluf (stew of lambs head & feet with courgette & chick peas) Dowara (stew of stomach and intestines with courgette & chick peas)

Chorba (soup with meat)

Rechta (hand made spagetti usualy served with a clear broth containing chicken, potatoes & chick peas)

Chackchouka (normaly contains green peppers, onions and tomatoes can have egg added)

Mechoui (any meat, chicken or fish char grilled)

Algerian pizza

Tajine (stew)

Variety of Mediterranean juices (grenadine, orange), very sweet green tea and strong coffee

Qalb El Louz (dessert containing almonds)

Baklawa (almond cakes drenched in honey)

Ktayef (sort of baked vermicelli again filled with almonds and drenched in sugar sirup and honey)

[edit][add listing] Drink

Tango Beer is available in most urban areas. Some of the local red wine is palatable.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Learn

[edit] Work

[edit] Stay safe

Despite many Western Foreign Offices will advise you against travelling to Algeria you must know that the terrorism is, at April 2005, focused only in certain areas in the evening. These are: Chlef, Ain Defla, Relizane, Laarba, Medea, and Collo. Do not travel by night, travel by plane if you can instead of by car, avoid minor roads, ask the police if you are not sure about a region, and nothing should happen. (please keep in mind that, as with all non-current and unfinished advisories, one should never trust any third-hand information about the safety of a foreign country)

[edit] Stay healthy

Algiers is frequently struck by power cuts, which subsequently means that refrigerated foods may go bad. As a result 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, but are simply nuisances, because malaria is not common. In urban areas there are often anti-mosquito measures taken, such as city-wide spraying of mosquitoes in order to cut down their numbers.

When travelling in Algeria one should always use sun protection.

[edit] Respect

As in all of North Africa, the majority religion is Islam and the normal religious prohibitions and attitudes will apply. When visiting a mosque, for example, be sure to remove your shoes as well as dress conservatively. The exact situation regarding alcohol is not the same around the country, some conservative cities do not have any bars or liquor stores. Keep in mind to only drink at home or in a bar, never on the street.

Also, given the recent political strife, talking politics is probably not advisable.

[edit] Contact

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