With ancient Roman ruins, exquisite architecture, and the golden dunes of the Sahara, the African nation of Algeria is full of cultural richness and fascinating gems, all waiting to be explored.
Today, we are exploring some fascinating facts about the beauty and brilliance of Africa’s largest country, Algeria.
World’s Leading Wine Exportation Hub 
Algeria was producing over 3 billion liters of wine annually during the late 19th and 20th century. A majority of this wine was exported to France from regions like Mascara and Tiaret.
Nobel Prize Winners
Two Nobel Prize winners have emerged from Algeria, namely Albert Camus, who won the Nobel Prize in literature in 1957, and Claude Cohen-Tannoudji, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1997
Camel Importation
The U.S. Army used to be a major importer of Camels until 1870. The camels were transported with the USS Supply, a sailing ship.
Africa’s Largest Country
Algeria is the largest African country in terms of land mass, spanning over 2.38 million square kilometers. 90% of this massive land size is covered by the Sahara Desert.
Africa’s Largest Mosque
The Djamaa El Djazair, which is also known as the great mosque of Algiers, is Africa’s largest mosque and features the world’s tallest minaret at 869 feet. Completed in 2019. This structural wonder includes a library capable of holding 1 million books and can accommodate over 120,000 worshippers.
UNESCO Heritage sites
Algeria is also home to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, most notably a Roman city known as Timgad, which dates back to 100 AD.
AFCON Winners
The Algerian national football team has won the African Cup of Nations twice in 1990 and 2019
Chott Ech Chergui: A Vast Salt Lake
Chott Ech Chergui is one of Algeria’s largest endorheic salt lakes, covering an area of about 2,000 km². Located in the Hautes Plaines region, it becomes a series of shallow salt flats during the dry season and is designated as a Ramsar wetland of international importance.
Home To the World’s Smallest Fox
The national Animal of Algeria is the Fennec Fox, which is also the world’s smallest Fox, characterized by its large ears, which measure up to 15.24 cm.
These lesser-known facts are just a glimpse into the depth and diversity that make Algeria a true hidden gem of Africa.
As we continue to uncover stories like these across the continent, one thing is clear: Africa’s beauty isn’t just in what the world sees, it’s in the details many overlook.
💬 Which fact surprised you the most? Drop a comment below, we’d love to hear your thoughts! And stay tuned for more fascinating insights from all corners of Africa
