AlbaniaA virtual guide to Albania. Get an overview of Albania's art, culture, people, environment, geography, history, economy and its government. Beside a country profile with facts and figures, this page offers maps, statistics, weather information, and links to sources that provide you with information about this Southwestern European nation, e.g.: official web sites of Albania, addresses of Albania`s and foreign embassies, domestic airlines, local news, city- and country guides with extensive travel and tourism information on accommodation, tourist attractions, events and more.Republic of Albania Shqipëria Flag of Albania
Background:In 1990 Albania ended 44 years of xenophobic communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven difficult as corrupt governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, a dilapidated infrastructure, widespread gangsterism, and disruptive political opponents. International observers judged local elections in 2000 to be acceptable and a step toward democratic development, but serious deficiencies remain to be corrected before the the 2001 parliamentary elections. (Source: CIA - The World Factbook)
border countries: Greece, Macedonia, Rep. of, Montenegro, Serbia

AlgeriaDestination Algeria, this page is about many aspects of Algeria. Here you will find comprehensive information about Algeria in its diversity: geography, economy, science, people, culture, environment, government and history.You will have access to newspapers from Algeria and you will find travel and tourism information for Algeria.
People's Democratic Republic of Algeria Al Jaza'ir
Flag of Algeria
al Jaza'ir
Background:Algeria is Africa's second largest country, covering an area of nearly 2.5 million square miles. Algeria's indigenous Berber people has been under foreign rule for much of the last 3000 years. The Phoenicians (1000 BC) and the Romans (200 BC) were the most important of these. With the incursion of Muslim Arabs in the 7th-8th century into the region, Islamic influence came to the Berbers and almost a millenium of domination by Arab dynasties.In the beginning of the 16th century the region was placed under protection of the ottoman Sultan of Istanbul, followed by reigns of ottoman beys, pachas, and aghas, brought to an end with the beginning of the French colonization in 1830. The French occupation condemned Algeria's population to economic, social and political inferiority and caused an armed resistance lasting for decades. After a century of rule by France, Algeria became independent in 1962 and Arabic became official language - with a little help of Quran teachers from Egypt and Saudi Arabia.Since then le pouvoir ("the power"), an elite of business leaders and generals behind a democratic façade has run Algeria.
Algeria is a member state of the League of Arab Statesborder countries: Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Tunisiarelated countries: France