Algiers, Algeria
The city of Algiers is located on the coast of the Gulf of Algiers on the Mediterranean Sea. Algiers is the largest city in Algeria and the capital of the country. It has about 2.5 million inhabitants. The port of Algiers is the most important one for the country. It has a developed cement and cork industry. It exports wines, iron ores, tobacco, etc. The city of Algiers originated as a small Phoenician trading port. In 950 AD, the city was conquered by the Berbers and given the name Al-Jazer, as it is now called in Arabic. In 1529, the city of Algiers was captured by the famous pirate Barbarossa, who declared it the capital. In 1830, the country was conquered by the French, who dominated here for 132 years.
At the beginning of the 20th century Algeria became the center of the struggle for liberation from colonial rule, and after independence in 1962, Algeria was declared the capital of the new Algerian state.
The Kasbah (Old City) was built in the Islamic-Arabic style. A maze of narrow streets stairs and dilapidated houses lead to the Citadel at the top of the hill. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The emblem of Algiers is the 90-metre high Monument to the Martyrs of the War of Liberation. Notable is one of the oldest residences, located in the Botanical Garden of El Hamma. The Church of Notre Dame d'Afrique is built on a cliff rising above the Gulf of Algiers and resembles the St. Mary's in Paris. Impressive is the white building of the New Mosque, built in the shape of an Orthodox cross, with a huge white dome.
Other architectural landmarks in Algiers are: the Grand Post Office in the central square, the Palace of Culture, the Museum of Fine Arts, etc. The Riyadh El-Feth Cultural Center is the largest and most beautiful recreational place for the capital's citizens. The new construction in the city is distinguished by glittering residential buildings, pompous public buildings and wide boulevards. The city of Algiers has a number of universities such as the Technical University, Algiers University, etc. Algiers is a beautiful white city.