| Algiers |
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| Africa
- Algeria
- Algiers |
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Location Overview
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| The capital city of Algeria and the most important Mediterranean port
of northwest Africa, Algiers has a population of over 3 million, making
it the largest population centre in the country. Algiers is located on
the Mediterranean coast, set against forested mountains and overlooking
a bay. Once one of the most romantic cities in Africa, encompassed by
the legendary whitewashed Casbah, Algiers is now a major modernized
city with all the metropolitan trappings.
Algiers is the site of Icosium, a legendary city founded by 20
companions of the mythical hero Hercules. Icosium remained a small
coastal trading post throughout the Phoenician and Carthaginian eras.
The modern city of Algiers is formed of two parts. The lower part is
the French-built new town with wide boulevards, and all the cultural trappings of colonialism -- an opera house, cathedrals, theatres, museums, galleries and cafes. The new town is also the site of the
city's educational institutions including the University of Algiers.
The Casbah or old city forms the upper part of Algiers, replete with labyrinthine passageways and a 16th century walled fortress.
With the growth of the population and emigration from the countryside
since World War II, suburbs have spread beyond the perimeters of the
city. Algiers forms the hub of Algeria's transport links: the main international airport is there; all roads and railway systems emanate from Algiers; and it continues to be a major Mediterranean shipping
centre. |
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