Source: News on Air
Subject: Mapping
Context: The 7th round of Foreign Office Consultations between India and Algeria was held in Algiers where both nations agreed to strengthen parliamentary cooperation and combat terrorism.
About Algeria:
What It Is?
- Algeria is the largest country in Africa and the Arab world by land area. It is a sovereign North African nation with a rich history, serving as a gateway between Africa and Europe.
Located In:
- Region: North Africa (The Maghreb).
- Coastline: It has a long northern coastline along the Mediterranean Sea.
Capital: Algiers.
Bordering Nations:
Algeria shares land borders with seven entities:
- Tunisia: To the northeast.
- Libya: To the east.
- Niger: To the southeast.
- Mali and Mauritania: To the southwest.
- Western Sahara: To the west.
- Morocco: To the northwest.
Key Geological Features:
- The Sahara Desert: Covers more than 80% of the country’s territory in the south.
- Atlas Mountains: Two parallel ranges (Tell Atlas and Saharan Atlas) run across the north, separated by high plateaus.
- Ahaggar Mountains (Hoggar): A highland region in central Sahara with dramatic volcanic peaks.
- Tell Region: The fertile coastal strip along the Mediterranean where most of the population resides.
Significance to India:
- Algeria is a major producer of oil and natural gas, making it a strategic partner for India’s energy diversification.
- As a source of phosphates and urea, Algeria is critical for India’s food security and agricultural sector.
- Bilateral trade is growing (currently 1.7 billion dollars) with significant opportunities in pharmaceuticals, mining, and higher education.
