Algiers is the capital and largest city of Algeria, and the second largest city in the Maghreb (behind Casablanca). According to the 2005 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570; for the urban area was 2,135,630; for the metropolitan area 3,518,083.
Nicknamed El-Bahdja or Alger la Blanche ("Algiers the White") for the glistening white of its buildings as seen rising up from the sea, Algiers is situated on the west side of a bay of the Mediterranean Sea. The city name is derived from the Arabic word al-jazā’ir, which translates as the islands, referring to the four islands which lay off the city's coast until becoming part of the mainland in 1525. Al-jazā’ir is itself a truncated form of the city's older name jazā’ir banī mazghannā, "the islands of (the tribe) Bani Mazghanna", used by early medieval geographers such as al-Idrisi and Yaqut al-Hamawi. Algiers is the only Algerian city with an English name different from its French name.
The modern part of the city is built on the level ground by the seashore; the old part, the ancient city of the deys, climbs the steep hill behind the modern town and is crowned by the casbah or citadel, 400 feet (122 m) above the sea. The casbah and the two quays form a triangle.
PLACE TO VISIT
Notre Dame d'Afrique , accessible by one cable car, is one of its most outstanding monuments: located in the district of Z' will ghara, the basilica was built around 1858.
Monument des Martyrs ( Maquam E' chahid ): an iconic concrete monument commemorating the Algerian war for independence. The monument was opened in 1982 on the 20th anniversary of Algeria's independence. It is fashioned in the shape of three standing palm leaves which shelter the "Eternal Flame" beneath. At the edge of each palm leaf stands a statue of a soldier, each representing a stage of Algeria's struggle.
The El Jedid mosque at the Places des Martyrs near the port.
Place of the Emir Abdelkader (ex-place Bugeaud): in memory of the famous emir Abd El-Kader, resistant during conquête of Algeria.
Grand Post Office (1910, by Voinot and Tondoire): construction of the néo-Moorish type which is in full centre town of Algiers.
Garden of Test ( El-Hamma ): located has Is of Algiers, it extends on a surface from 80 hectares (198 acres). It was created in 1832 by A. Hardy. Exotic plants and gardens there are found.
Villa Abd-el-Hair , with the top of the Garden of test, one of the old residences of the dey, where until 1962, were placed the artists prizes winner of Price Abd-el-Hair, and in particular Maurice Boitel and Andre Hamburg.
Riadh El-Feth (shopping centre and art gallery).
Ketchoua Mosque (This mosque became the Saint-Philippe cathedral during colonization before becoming again a mosque).
National Library , is in the district of El HAMMA. Elle has an architecture modèrne and marries the decoration perfectly.
The Great Mosque of Algiers at the Rue de la Marine. It is the oldest mosque of Algiers and was built during the reign of the Almoravid sultan Yusuf ibn Tashfin.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Algiers is serviced by Houari Boumedienne International Airport, also Algeria's international gateway. There are services to/from numerous countries and cities. The following airlines have services to Houari Boumedienne International Airport as of July 2007
By train - Algiers Central Train Station - The train station is located near the city centre. The station offers regular services to major Algerian cities such as, Oran, Annaba, Constantine, etc.
By car - Being the capital of the country most, if not, all major roadways in Algeria begin and end in Algiers. So, getting into Algiers isn't that hard and quite easy. However, the infrastructure of Algerian roadways is not highly regarded so arriving by route might not be the most desirable option. There are a number of road projects around the country that are aiming at improving the infrastructure, most notably the East-West highway running from Annaba in the east to Oran in the west, of course coming through Algiers.
By bus - La Gare Routiere, Algiers' central bus terminus, located in the commune of Hussein Dey (about a 7-10 min drive from downtown) , offers a plethora of bus services to most major Algerian cities and towns. It is a very cheap and efficient way to get to/from a pair of Algerian cities. Most of the coaches used are modern and air conditioned ones so the rides are, more often than not, comfortable. However, there are a few old coaches still in service, so try and avoid those, for the ride won't be as pleasant.
By boat - There are regular ferry services from Algiers to: Marseilles, Nice, Palermo and Naples. Many services are operated by Ferries Algerie.
