Algerian Gastronomy

Algerian cuisine like all other regional cooking can best be described as the culmination of its geographical location, religious and ethnic background, and its rich history. The ethnic and geographical make-up of the country makes Algerian food a hybridization of both Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Also, due to the homogeneous nature of Algeria, the national cuisine is heavily inspired by Arab-Berber influences. This influence can be seen in the use of dried fruits, stews, and lamb. Among the Arab-Berber foods, Turkish (Ottoman) and French influences can also be seen through pastries and spices.

Moroccan Chickpea & Couscous Salad

The national dish of Algeria is couscous, a regional favorite. Couscous is a popular dish in the Maghreb, and is made from semolina, which is a coarse grain extracted from wheat. The staple is usually served with lamb or chicken, and other vegetables, such as chickpeas and red peppers. Common dishes also include Mechoui, a roasted lamb dish, Merquez, a spicy lamb sausage dish, and Chorba, a spicy lamb or chicken stew mixed with vegetables.

Mechoui

Merquez

Chorba Djej

How to make Boureak (Algerian Spring Rolls)

Sources


Cuisine of Algeria: http://www.algeria.com/cuisine/

Algeria: http://www.everyculture.com/A-Bo/Algeria.html#b

Cuisine Algerienne: http://mybookofrai.typepad.com/cuisinealgerienne/

Moroccan Chickpea & Couscous Salad: http://www.jeremiahfletcher.com/images/thumbs/recipes/recipe_664.jpg

Mechoui: http://notrecuisinefacile.free.fr/mechoui.jpg

Merquez: http://hagesued.eu/cms/upload/rezepte/bratwurst/bratwurst_merquez_1.jpg

Chorba Djej: http://www.chefzadi.com/images/2007/06/08/p1010016.jpg

How to make Boureak (Algerian Spring Rolls): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVHtgM4SH-Q

A Sojourn in Algeria

Algeria, while not the richest country of the African continent, is able to claim the title of Africa's geographically largest nation. Understandably, the country is extremely diverse in its vast terrain, which makes Algeria an ideal ecotourism location. The weather, which is similar to that of Southern California, also makes the country a prime tourist destination.

Aures Mountains

The country borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, which makes this part of the country suitable for agriculture. In the northwest, the Tell Atlas mountain chain extends into the country from the Moroccan border. Algiers, the capital city, is located at the base of this mountain chain. Another geographical formation found in this part of the country is the High Plateaus, which also originates from the Moroccan border. To the extreme northeast lies the Aures Mountains, while plains make up the interior of the region. The southern region of the country is covered by the Sahara Desert. Even with all the natural beauty found in the country, Algeria has dedicated several plots of land to be used as national parks. This includes the Belezma National Park, which is not only home to a beautiful forest, but also home to Roman ruins.

Belezma National Park

Algeria's tourist opportunities go beyond that of its natural habitats, as the country is home to six UNESCO Heritage Sites. These sites include Al Qal'a of Beni Hammad, Djemila, Casbah of Algiers, M'Zab Valley, Timgad, and Tipasa. Al Qal'a of Beni Hammad is a walled Muslim fortress built by the Arab-Berbers and was mandated by the founder of Algiers. Djemila is a village in the mountains of Algeria that is also home to Roman ruins, that include temples, basilicas, and a theatre. The Casbah of Algiers is the famous citadel found in the capital city. Beyond its importance as a Muslim stronghold and center of the movement for Algerian independence from France, it was also the inspiration for the song "Rock the Casbah," by The Clash. The M'Zab Valley has been designated a Heritage Site due to its well preserved architecture that displays the harmonious combination of pragmatism and usage of natural materials. Timgad and Tipasa are well known for their well preserved Roman ruins.

Casbah of Algiers

Although there are many places that must be visited when one travels to Algeria, it is its hybrid culture which has Muslim, Arabian, Berber, French, and African influences, that makes the country worthy of an extended visit.

M'Zab Ghardaia

Timgad

Mystical Algerian Tourism Video

Sources

CIA World Factbook, Algeria: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ag.html

UNESCO Heritage List: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/

Aures Mountains: http://www.world-travel-photos.com/photos2/algeria/aures-mountains-9394.jpg

Belezma National Park: http://media.lonelyplanet.com/lpimg/28098/28098-27/preview.jpg

Casbah of Algiers: http://www.hoteldealsafrica.com/media/upload/image/africacity/Algiers/algiers-casbah.jpg

M'Zab Ghardaia: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Mzab_Gharda%C3%AFa.jpg

Timgad: http://www.wallpaperstravel.com/wallpapers/arch-timgad-algeria-1024x768.jpg

Algeria Tourism 90 sec: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Do2te5UhU0

Economy

Algeria can claim the title of having the 48th largest economy in the world, as estimated by the CIA. The country has rich deposits of both petroleum and natural gas, which is evident by the fact that Algeria derives 30% of its GDP and 95% of its export earnings from the production and sale of hydrocarbons, which is a fuel source extracted from petroleum. Algeria's largest trade partners are the United States (24.9% of Exports), France (18% of Imports), Italy (17.5% of Exports), and China (10.6% of Imports). The prevalence of crude oil in the country (16th largest oil reserve) lead to Algeria's inclusion in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Graph #1

Although Algeria obtains a large portion of its GDP from the export of energy sources, 32% of the labor force works for the government. This is a lasting legacy of the country's socialist policies following its independence from France. The problem has also been exacerbated by the recent financial crisis, as the government has been forced to offer public grants and benefit increases to help support the local economy. There are also more people working in the agricultural sector (14%), than in the industrial/energy sector (13.4%). The inability of the capital-intensive energy sector to provide a proportional amount of jobs to the wealth it provides has resulted in unemployment of 9.7% in Algeria.

Graph #2

The current condition of Algeria's economy has determined the country's main long-term economic goals. These goals include the diversification of products from just oil and natural gas, allowing privatization to occur on a larger scale, and reducing the unemployment rate, especially for the sake of the next generation of Algerian workers.

Also, in recent news, there has been talk about the creation of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), which would unite Tunisia, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, and Algeria in a North African trading bloc. Renewed interest in an economic union has arisen as a consequence of the recent Arab Spring movement and the progressive thinking it has brought; however, due to previous Morocco-Algeria border disputes, the idea has stalled.


BONUS: A Historical Look at the Algerian Economy




Sources


CIA World Factbook, Algeria: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ag.html

The liberated Maghred looks to economic union: http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/the-liberated-maghreb-looks-to-economic-union#full

Graphs #1 and #2: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2008/06/country.htm

Annual trends charts: http://www.ciaonet.org/atlas/DZ/index.html

Algerian Economy: Industrial, Political and Agricultural Changes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9ZAWhGD1A8

Government

Algeria is a member of the African Union, the Arab League, and OPEC. It is a semi-presidential republic, which means that both the president and the prime minister govern the country. The current president is Abdelaziz Bouteflika and the prime minister is Ahmed Ouyahia.  The president, who serves five-year terms, selects the prime minister. There are also no restrictions as to how many terms a president may serve, who also controls the army. The current system highlights the disproportionate power the president holds, which has led some outsiders to regard the country as an authoritarian state.

Prime Minister Ouyahia and President Bouteflika

Election for the legislature is slated for May 10th, while the presidential election will take place in 2014. There are many parties in Algeria, but the largest is the National Liberation Front. The FLN (French abbreviation) holds the most power in the country due to its historic importance, as the party waged the war for independence against France. The party seeks to maintain a secular state with a moderate Islamic influence. It is this secularism, which led to the recent civil war I mentioned last blog post. The country was torn by a civil war after the FLN annulled an election that was predicted to be won by a party with Islamic fundamentalist ideologies. The FLN party is also known for its pro-market stance, as oil and natural gas make up the majority of their exports.

Algerian Oil Field

The country's membership in the African Union, moderate approach to politics and religion, and economic opportunities in the energy industry makes the country a generally inviting place for Africans and other migrants.

Algerians

Sources

CIA World Factbook, Algeria: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ag.html

Algerian president sets elections for May 10: http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-02-09/algeria-elections/53031590/1

Algeria deputies allow third presidential term: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gBXuH284ngl30Ife9WhcsTCFshSg

PM and President Picture: http://hogra.h.o.pic.centerblog.net/o/6afe9044.jpg

Algerian Oil Field Picture: http://i3.makcdn.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/134979/files//2009/08/hassi310.jpg

Algerians Picture: http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/sports/photos/2010/05/07/algeria-fans-091118.jpg

History

Most well known for being a former French colony, Algeria is situated along the Mediterranean Sea in Northern Africa, and consists of approximately 35 million people.  French influence is evident by the fact that the capital, Algiers, which also served as inspiration for the name of the country, is etymologically derived from French.  The modern boundaries of the country was also created by France.  Although the French laid claim to the country for over a century, the official language of the country is Arabic, while 99% of the population is ethnically Arab-Berber and 99% Muslim, revealing the extreme homogeneity.

Map of Algeria

The uniform population can be attributed to the Islamization of the country between the 8th and 11th centuries.  There were many Arab military excursions into the region, but due to greater interest in Egypt and the Nile Delta, power was redistributed to the native Berber dynasties.  Increasing Arab presence in the country, led to the Berbers to consider themselves as Arab-Berbers.  Arab influence was replaced by intermittent control of the country by the Spanish, which finally ended when the Ottoman Empire controlled the region between 1517 and 1830.  The 300 year reign of the Ottomans was not particularly important to the history of the country as they did not have effective influence over the population.  The colonization of Algeria began in 1830 after the French occupation of Algiers.

Great Mosque

French influence slowly spread southward until full control of the country was achieved.  The increased French presence resulted in the removal of native peoples from positions of power and land.  The resistance of disenfranchised Algerians began in 1933, which was initially carried out through peaceful means, but eventually culminated in violent protests.  The Algerian War of Independence took place from 1954 to 1962, and resulted in France declaring Algeria independent.  Independence did not come without its costs, as Algerian deaths are estimated at a peak of one million lives.  As an independent state, Algeria did not immediately become more peaceful.  Modern Algeria was plagued by a recent civil war that ended in 2002, and only now has the country seen a return to normalcy.  The country's large resource of oil has helped Algeria easily transition through a well functioning economy.

Monument of the Martyrs

I decided to blog about Algeria mainly because of my interest in its rich architecture, and also because of my unfamiliarity with the country as a whole.  My interest is also derived from the fact that it is the country of origin of Zinedine Zidane, a famous French soccer player.  I hope to research and learn more about Algeria, and perhaps discover if the large Arab-Berber population created a different dynamic in the slave trade than in other African countries.

Zidane Head-Butt

Sources

Map of Algeria: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/algeria.jpg

Picture of the Great Mosque in Algiers: http://www.printcollection.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/product_full/05526u.1.jpg

Picture of Monument of the Martyrs in Algiers: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXj655xpMEz1wAMqlLWpKd-DzixLr6s2bYxoW9O3mtFc1_oe5MuXIlM_qU-NUlXiWgMX6EqhepxarFmCkrfMyF_S3-0QCPuuamp7E4tQcIaXuy42EV8clvp5PFQt103ecQIxJ1AhXDLZS/s1600/Algiers.JPG

Picture of Zidane Head-Butt: http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/1006/all.alliteration.team/images/zinedine-zidane.jpg

CIA World Factbook, Algeria: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ag.html

Library of Congress, Algeria: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/dztoc.html

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