When did Algeria exist?

Algeria existed 1962–present. On this map it is drawn 1963–2024.

How large was Algeria?

At its greatest extent drawn on this map, Algeria covered about 2.3 million km². That is the largest area the border data gives it across the years it is drawn, not necessarily its greatest extent in history.

Africa · Independence and the modern states

Algeria

Republic · 1962–present

Algeria, with about 47 million people and 2.38 million km² of territory — over 90% of it Sahara — is the largest country in Africa. Its capital is Algiers.

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Type: Republic
Existed: 1962–present
Shown on the map: 1963–2024
Peak area: 2.3M km²
Region: Africa

Overview

Algeria, with about 47 million people and 2.38 million km² of territory — over 90% of it Sahara — is the largest country in Africa. Its capital is Algiers.

Origins and colonial background

Ancient Numidia under King Masinissa was absorbed by Rome, then ruled by Vandals, Byzantines and, from the seventh century, Arab conquerors who faced Berber resistance led by the Kahina. Successive Berber and Arab dynasties — Rustamids, Fatimids, Zirids, Almoravids, Almohads and Zayyanids — shaped the region before the Ottoman Regency of Algiers (from 1515) made it a corsair stronghold. France invaded in 1830, annexed the north in 1848 and completed its "pacification" by 1903, despite revolts such as Abdelkader's and the Mokrani uprising; the 1945 Sétif and Guelma massacres radicalized nationalism. The FLN launched an armed struggle in 1954, and after a brutal eight-year war the Évian Accords led to independence on 5 July 1962.

Political history

Ahmed Ben Bella's socialist government was overthrown by Houari Boumediene in 1965, establishing a one-party FLN state that nationalized hydrocarbons. Riots in 1988 forced reforms, but when the army cancelled the 1991 elections that Islamists were poised to win, a civil war (1992–2002) against the GIA and other armed groups killed some 200,000 people. Abdelaziz Bouteflika ruled from 1999 until the Hirak protest movement forced his resignation in 2019; Abdelmadjid Tebboune has been president since.

Economy and culture

Algeria's economy rests on oil and natural gas — Sonatrach is Africa's largest company — giving it among the world's largest proven reserves, though diversification is limited. Algerian culture blends Arab, Berber and French influences.

Society and religion

About 99% of Algerians are Sunni Muslim; Arabic and Tamazight are official languages.

Later developments and current situation

Algeria records the highest Human Development Index in continental Africa, but political freedoms remain constrained and the Hirak movement has been suppressed.

Common questions

What was Algeria?: Algeria, with about 47 million people and 2.38 million km² of territory — over 90% of it Sahara — is the largest country in Africa. Its capital is Algiers.
When did Algeria exist?: Algeria existed 1962–present. On this map it is drawn 1963–2024.
How large was Algeria?: At its greatest extent drawn on this map, Algeria covered about 2.3 million km². That is the largest area the border data gives it across the years it is drawn, not necessarily its greatest extent in history.
Who ruled Algeria?: Ahmed Ben Bella's socialist government was overthrown by Houari Boumediene in 1965, establishing a one-party FLN state that nationalized hydrocarbons. Riots in 1988 forced reforms, but when the army cancelled the 1991 elections that Islamists were poised to win, a civil war (1992–2002) against the GIA and other armed groups killed some 200,000 people.
What did the economy and culture of Algeria rest on?: Algeria's economy rests on oil and natural gas — Sonatrach is Africa's largest company — giving it among the world's largest proven reserves, though diversification is limited. Algerian culture blends Arab, Berber and French influences.

Sources

Every source below was consulted while writing this entry.

Wikipedia — Algeria en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algeria

This entry was written from the sources above and last updated 10 September 2026.

This entry was researched and drafted with AI from the sources above, and has not been reviewed by a historian. How entries are made

Text available under CC BY-SA 4.0: reuse it with a credit to The World Through Time and a link to this page. Passages drawing on the Wikipedia articles listed above are also licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 by their contributors.

Border geometry for the map itself comes from Cliopatria v0.12 (Seshat Global History Databank, CC-BY-4.0).

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