Algeria- The Tourist Destination in Western Africa

Algeria is the one of the most captivating countries in the North Africa. It is the second largest country of Africa. Most of it is covered by the Saharan desert. Timimoun is an Oasis town in the desert of Sahara, just like a storybook. Algiers the capital city of Algeria is an interesting mixture of tradition and modernism. Salah is another town worth visiting which is split into two parts by a sand dune.

Accommodations
Accommodation facilities in Algeria are available in the form of guest houses, bed and breakfast accommodation, budget hotels, cheap hotels and luxury hotels. Youth hostels can offer comfortable stay with kitchen facilities. All big hotels in Algiers offer swimming pool, sea views, internet access, sauna and bar facilities.

History
It is widely believed that Homo erectus, a human species which has become extinct, lived in Algeria some 50,000 years back. Algeria shares its land borders with Morocco and Tunisia. On the other side, it is covered by Mediterranean Sea. It was along the Mediterranean coast that the Phoenician traders first settled around 1st Millennium B.C. Around 4 AD Vandals conquered it and later Arabs arrived around 650 AD. The Arabs converted the people from Christianity to Islam.

Algiers was a centre for piracy and ransoming during the 17th century. It became the headquarters of the Barbary Pirates. United States fought two wars trying to control the menace known as Barbary Wars. French freed the country of pirates and made it a French Colony in 1848. Algeria freed itself from French Domination in 1962 following a long independence struggle.

Popular Places
Algiers lies in the north central part of Algeria and is the capital city of Algeria. Worldwide it is known for its white buildings. The Kasbah quarter is home to some magnificent mosques is a popular tourist destination. Constantine, one of the oldest cities in Algeria, is like a natural fortress suspended over a mountain. Oran is the second largest city in Algeria. It is famous around for being the birth place of the Rai Music style.

Getting Around
Long distance communal taxis are the popular mode of transport. They run on shared basis. These taxis also run across the length of the country. One can also use the bus system, which functions properly and on time, to travel across the country. The tourists can make use of buses, trains or hire a taxi to travel throughout the country as per their budget.  

Languages
The official language of Algeria is Arabic. Berber, an old native language, is the second most spoken in Algeria. French is spoken in Algiers because of French domination.

Currency
Algerian Dinar is the currency used in Algeria. The currency is available is available both in notes and coins form. Coins are available in the denomination of ¼, ½, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100. Currency notes are available in 5, 10, 50 and 100 dinars. 1 US dollar is equivalent to 74.60 Algerian Dinar.

Group accommodation in Algeria | Cheap hostels & budget hotels