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What to visit in Algeria

On the geographical level, four great types of relief follow each other from the north to the south of the territory.

  • Alongside the Mediterranean Sea, there is a coast bordered by beaches and coves, expanded inside by the plain of Tell and its valleys where it comprises of the main part of arable lands. The major cities like Algiers, Oran, and Constantine are located here.
  • There are two East-West directed mountainous chains: the Tellian Atlas formed by the mounts of Tlemcen, Ouarsenis, Titteri, Djurdjura, Babor, Bibans and Edough which culminates in Lalla Khadidja (2, 308m), and the Saharian Atlas with the solid mass of Aurès culminating with the mount of Chelia (2, 328m).
  • In the middle of the Atlas, a zone of semi-desert high plateaus, field of the esparto is found. This unique profile of the basin explains the presence of chotts(salted lakes) 40 meters below sea level, the chott Melhrir is a large endorheic salt lake in northeastern Algeria, located at 34°18′N 6°18′E / 34.3°N 6.3°E. Chott Melrhir has an area of about 6700 km² and is the largest lake in Algeria. It also lies almost entirely below the sea level; the lowest point of Algeria is located here. It regularly dries up thus becomes a salt pan. The cities of Biskra, El Oued and Touggourt lie nearby. Chott Melrhir is designated a Ramsar wetland of international importance.
  • There is also the Sahara desert with its rocky plateaus, its arid plains, sandy dunes, the great Western erg, the great Eastern erg and its oases like Zibans. The valley of M’Zab, Touat, and Gourara are present here. Finally in the extreme south, there is Hoggar, a succession of high plateaus spread out in steps; this area’s highlight is its central amazing relief. The Tahat mount with is dominating altitude of 3 003 m is the highest summit of the country, and here there are few salted lakes like chott Ech-Chergui and chott el Hodna. To these natural charms is added an archaeological legacy of a great value.
  • Crossroads of the Mediterranean, Muslim and African worlds, Algeria inherited a number of Numidian and Romans sites, (in the east of Mauritania, in Aurès and in the north of Numidia), as well as Christian and Islamic sites and buildings.

Various activities can be practiced all round the year in vital points where exoticism and beauty go hand in hand:

  • The Coastal Strip
  •  The Aurès Mountains
  • The Kabylie Region
  •  The Wadi Me Zab valley
  • Oued Souf
  • The Hoggar Mountains and Tassili
  •  Touat and Gourara

ALGERIA EVENTS AND FESTIVALS
 
It is possible to enjoy a wide range of things to do, festivals and fairs, many of which celebrate the culture, music, crafts and food of Algeria. Over 200 small or local festivals are held throughout the country at some time during the year.
 
Algeria stages also several high-profile sporting events, as visitors converge to test their stamina in the hostile desert or mountain environments.
 
Among the most internationally attended Events:
 
JANUARY
- National Amazigh Film Festival - held in Sidi Bel Abbes in Western Algeria. Includes full length films, short films, documentaries and animation
 
FEBRUARY
 
- Western Sahara Marathon - held in late February starting from the Sahrawi refugee camp in Tindouf. With races over a variety of distances, from 5 Km to 41 Km
 
MARCH
 
- Ghardaia Carpet Festival - held in mid-March, a lively event also incorporating a procession with traditional music. Carpet weavers come from all over the country to exhibit and sell their carpets, and participate in competitions
 
APRIL
 
- Strawberry Festival - held in Jijel. The fair attracts various partners involved in strawberry cultivation. The event includes an exhibition of strawberry growing
 
- Marathon des Dunes - runners from all over the world converge in the Algerian oasis town of Béchar, intent on completing this three-stage desert race
 
MAY
 
- Dima jazz Festival - held in Constantine over eight days each May. Features well-known artists from all over Africa, as well as Asia, the USA, Europe and South America
 
- Festival Internacional de Cine del Sahara - held in the refugee camps of southwest Algeria, near the border with Western Sahara. The festival brings film to the relatively isolated communities of the Sahrawis. Spanish films tend to dominate the program. The winning film's director receives the unusual award of a white camel
 
- Exposervices - held at the Palais des Expositions d'Alger in Algiers over the course of three days
 
AUGUST
 
- Festival du Rai d'Oran - this exposition of the 'rai' music (a fusion of Arabic and Algerian folk/Western rock music) tendencies is a colorful event, featuring over 50 artists
 
OCTOBER
 
- Festival International de la Bande Dessinée d'Alger - showcases the work of cartoonists from Algeria and from further afield. Fans of the comic genre can look forward to an exhibition of artists' work, workshops, concerts and the festival competition
 
DECEMBER
 
- S'Biba of Djanet - a traditional festival that is celebrated in the town of Djanet after the Muslim feast of the Aid. The celebrations last for several days.
 
See pictures of Algeria’s beautiful cities in Photo Gallery

Contact Info
EMBASSY OF ALGERIA

2/2, Shanti Niketan, New Delhi-110 021

Phone (0091) 11 24117585 / 24117586 / 24117588 / 24117589

Fax : (0091) 1124117590

E-mail :[email protected]

Website : www.algerianembassy.co.in

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