Background: Algeria

Independence: July 5, 1962 (from France);

Adjacent Countries: Libya (east), Mali (southwest), Mauritania (southwest), Morocco (west), Niger (southeast), Tunisia (northeast);
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Government: Republic; Capital: Algiers
Chief of State: President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999)
Head of Gov't: Prime Minister Ali BENFLIS (since 26 August 2000)

Population (July 2001 est.):
31,736,053

Infant mortality rate (2001 est.):
40.56 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth (2001 est.):
Total Population: 69.95 years
Male: 68.6 years
Female: 71.34 years

Ethnic groups:
Arab-Berber - 99%
European - less than 1%

Religions:
Sunni Muslim (state religion) - 99%
Christian and Jewish - 1%

Languages:
Arabic (official)
French
Berber dialects

Literacy: (definition: age 15 and over can read and write)(1995 est.)
Total Population: 61.6%
Male: 73.9%
Female: 49%