Economy of Algeria: agriculture, industry, trade. amazing facts about the country

1. The thickness reaches 70 km, there are three layers: basalt, granite and sedimentary. What are we talking about? A) about the oceanic earth's crust; B) about the continental earth's crust; C) about the lithospheric plate.

2. The ancient continent in the southern hemisphere was called:

A) Laurasia;
B) Pangea;
B) Gondwana.

3. The speed of movement of lithospheric plates: A) 1-2 cm; B) 1-10 cm; C) 15-20 cm per year.
4. Border areas between lithospheric plates called:

A) seismic belts;
B) faults;
B) tiles.

5. Vast plains on earth correspond to:

A) folded belts;
B) platforms;
B) depressions.

6. What forces create ravines, river valleys, dunes, hills on Earth:

A) internal
B) external.

7. Most of the short-wave cosmic radiation, destructive to all living things, does not pass through the atmosphere: A) carbon dioxide; B) the ozone layer; B) water vapor.
8. Constant winds on Earth arise: A) due to belts with different atmospheric pressure;
B) due to the difference in temperature in the upper atmosphere; B) cold air.
9. They occupy a vast territory, retain their properties for a long time and determine the weather of those places where they come: A) high pressure zone; B) air mass;
B) underlying surface.

10. In which climatic zone do air masses come from the equatorial in summer, and from tropical zone? A) subequatorial; B) equatorial; B) tropical.
11. Throughout the year, the same air masses dominate here, all 4 seasons are clearly manifested: A) the subarctic zone; B) the temperate zone;
B) subtropical zone.
12. They are equatorial, tropical, surface, deep, coastal, etc. What it is? A) nekton B) water masses; B) ocean currents.
13. What pattern is subject to the movement of ocean currents in the northern hemisphere:

A) clockwise

14. Organisms unable to resist the movement of water:

A) benthos;
B) nekton;
B) plankton.

15. A plot of the earth's surface, within which all components of nature are interconnected, interdependent and interpenetrate each other:

A) natural area;
B) high-altitude zone;
C) natural complex.

Grade 7 Topic: "The main features of the nature of the Earth" 2 var. FULL NAME_______________
1. A single ancient continent was called: A) Laurasia; B) Pangea; B) Gondwana.
2. At the base of modern continents are: A) platforms; B) folded belts;
B) seismic belts.
3.Protrusions of the continents and oceanic depressions are formed due to:

BUT) external forces;
B) internal forces;
B) weathering.

4. Air temperature on earth is distributed due to: A) the distribution of atmospheric pressure belts; B) geographic latitude; C) downward movement of air.
5. What determines the distribution of precipitation on Earth: A) on atmospheric pressure belts;
B) from the geographical latitude; C) from constant winds.
6. Trade winds are winds:
A) western latitudes; B) high latitudes; C) winds blowing towards the equator.
7. In which zone do air masses come from the tropical in summer, and from the temperate in winter?

A) equatorial;
B) subtropical;
B) tropical.

8. All year round it's hot and humid here, because dominated by the same air masses:
A) the equatorial belt; B) subequatorial belt; B) tropical zone.
9. Their formation is associated with constant winds and the deflecting force of the Earth's rotation around its axis:

A) ebbs and flows
B) wind waves;
B) ocean currents.

10. What regularity is subject to the movement of ocean currents in the southern hemisphere:

A) clockwise
B) counterclockwise.

11. Organisms actively moving in water: A) nekton; B) benthos; B) plankton.
12. The main mechanism of the geographic shell: A) the influence of solar energy on it;
B) the cycle of energy and substances; C) matter is in 3 states.
13.. The Gulf Stream affects the climate of Europe:

A) cooling
B) warming;
B) neutral.

14. The change of natural zones in the mountains is called:
A) natural zonality; B) latitudinal zonality

Give a description of the country according to the plan, show economic activity population.

Develop the ability to establish cause and effect relationships.

To cultivate a humanistic attitude towards the peoples of the world.

Lesson objectives:

• Improve the ability to work with maps of the atlas, the text of the textbook, make tables.
• To ensure the development of abilities for evaluative actions, to express judgments.
• Develop the ability to work in a team; develop mutual assistance.

Equipment : physical map world, political map of Africa, illustrations, tables, educational pictures, textbook, notebook, workbook, atlas, universal encyclopedia for youth (countries and peoples), geographical atlas of the world, multimedia technologies (technical equipment).

Forms of work : group with elements of a role-playing game.

Lesson type : for didactic purposes - the study of new material; on teaching methods - role-playing game.

Lesson plan:

1. Organization of the lesson.

2. Actualization of students' knowledge. Statement of educational tasks. Exploring a new topic.

3. The work of students in groups. Results of work in tables. Student responses.

4. The result of the lesson. Evaluation of student responses. Achievement of the goal.

5. The practical part of the lesson.

Completing the task in the workbooks on page 43.

6. Homework.

The course and content of the lesson.

1. Stage - organizational.

Greetings. Ready for the lesson. Mark absentees in the journal.

2. Stage - updating the knowledge of students.

Teacher. We continue to study the mainland Africa. Africa is the ancestral home of man. The most ancient remains of human ancestors and tools of his labor were found in rocks that are 27 million years old. Guys, let's update our knowledge.

Question #1 What are the geographic coordinates of a point on the earth's surface?

Answer: Latitude and longitude are geographic coordinates of a point on the earth's surface.

Question number 2 Define the concept of "geographical location".

Answer: The geographical position is the position of any point or object on the earth's surface in relation to other points or territories.

Question number 3 In what climatic zones is mainland Africa?

Answer: Africa is located in the equatorial, subequatorial, tropical and subtropical climatic zones.

Question number 4 Name the largest countries in terms of area.

Answer: Russia, China, Brazil, USA, Canada.

Teacher: According to natural conditions, the composition of the population, Africa can be divided into four parts: North, West and Central, East and South.

Lesson topic: “Countries of North Africa. Algeria".

The purpose of the lesson : characterize the country according to the plan, show the economic activity of the population. (students write the date, the topic of the lesson in their notebooks).

3. Stage - a group form of work.

Teacher: Guys, today we work in groups. To compile the characteristics of the country, a standard plan is used (textbook - p. 313).

The template is displayed on the screen. (Appendix 1)

The questions of the plan are reflected in the tables presented to each member of the group. Groups have three questions, including evaluation sheets (Appendix 2), the organizer is determined, who distributes questions, listens, evaluates answers.

You work with atlas maps, which provide 80% of the information, with the text of the textbook §31 and additional literature. The results of the work are entered in the table.

The fourth group will prepare additional information about Algeria.

Groups begin to work, the time allotted for the tasks is 10 minutes.

Upon completion of the work, the groups give a description of the country according to the plan.

(In the course of characterization, each of the groups enters the results of the other group into the table).

Description of the country according to the plan.

1. What maps should be used when describing a country?

The physical map of Africa, the climatic map of Africa, the map of the natural zones of Africa, the political map of Africa.

2. In what part of the mainland is the country located? What is the name of its capital?

Algiers is located in northwestern Africa. This is one of the major developing states of the mainland, freed from colonial dependence.

The capital of the country is Algeria, geographic coordinates are 37 degrees north latitude. and 3 degrees east

3. Features of the relief (general nature of the surface, the main forms of relief and the distribution of heights). Minerals.

Due to the large extent from north to south, in Algeria, Northern Algeria and the Algerian Sahara are distinguished.

The Atlas Mountains amaze with their beauty. The ridges, rising up, end with sharp peaks with sheer cliffs.

Two main mountain ranges stretch along the coast - the Tell Atlas and the Saharan Atlas.

The highest peak - Shelia(2328 m) in the Ores mountains. Most of the southern part of the country is an elevated plain, while highlands rise in the east Ahaggar. Most of the surface of the Algerian Sahara is rocky; and sands are found only in some areas. The bowels of Algeria contain large reserves of fuel minerals – oil and gas, ore - iron and polymetallic, chemical - phosphorites.

From iron ore cast iron and steel are smelted, non-ferrous metals are smelted from polymetallic, and mineral fertilizers are smelted from phosphorites.

4. Climatic conditions in different parts of the country(climatic zones, average temperatures in July and January, annual precipitation). Differences by territory and by seasons.

Climatic zones - subtropical, tropical. The climate of the coast is subtropical, Mediterranean.

The subtropical climate is characterized by dry, hot summers and warm, wet winters.

Northern part of Algeria: average temperature: January +8 degrees C, July +32 degrees C, average annual precipitation in millimeters -100-1000.

Southern part of Algeria: average temperature: January +16 degrees C, July +32 degrees C, the average annual rainfall is less than 100 mm. The reasons are the geographical latitude, the influence of the oceans and seas, the relief features, the prevailing air masses.

5. Large rivers and lakes.

There is almost no surface water here and only one river flows - Shelf.

In the Algerian Sahara, large reserves of groundwater are concentrated. Sometimes they come to the surface in the form of springs.

6. Natural areas and their main features.

Northern Algeria occupies a zone of hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs, which includes the northern part of the Atlas Mountains and the adjacent coastal plain.

In this zone there is a lot of heat and sufficient moisture. Therefore, the natural conditions of this part Northern Algeria most favorable for human life and agriculture.

The once diverse fauna of the country is now greatly impoverished; lions, leopards, ostriches, cormorants and some other animals and birds have been rapaciously exterminated. Monkeys, hares, jackals, hyenas have been preserved in Algeria. There are many migratory birds on the lakes. Numerous reptiles: snakes, lizards, monitor lizards.

7. The peoples inhabiting the country. Their main activities.

Indigenous The population of the country is Algerians, consisting of Arabs and Berbers. The nomadic population of the Algerian Sahara is represented by tribes Tuareg. They inhabit the harshest parts of the desert and the Ahaggar Highlands. Rectangular dwellings are being built in rural areas. They have flat roofs and flat courtyards. Walls without windows face the street.

Algerians are mainly engaged in animal husbandry - they breed sheep, goats and camels. Agriculture is possible only in the oases, where the Algerians grow date palms, and under their crown - fruit trees and crops.

Pottery is represented by the manufacture of carpets, woolen and silk fabrics, as well as the processing of alpha grass, from which mats, baskets and ropes are woven.

The fourth group gives additional information about Algeria.

4. Stage of the lesson - summing up.

Final questions:

1. How do you think, what is the significance of access to the Mediterranean Sea for Algeria?
2. What are the features of the nature of Algeria?
3. Which places in Algeria would you like to travel to and why?

Algeria is an agricultural and industrial country. One of the largest countries in North Africa. It ranks first in natural gas reserves, mercury and tungsten ores and third in oil reserves.

All types of land transport, as well as air and sea, operate in the country. Algeria is the main exporter of oil and natural gas to Europe, which contributes to the country's entry into the world economic level.

(The use of multimedia technologies, fragments of the natural features of the country are shown on the screen).

Evaluation of student responses.

5. Stage of the lesson - practical part lesson.

Students completing assignments in workbooks on page 43.

1. In contour maps sign the name of the country Algeria, its capital.
2. Sign the names of the countries with which Algeria borders.

(Grading in the diaries).

6. Homework: § 31, questions after § 31.

THANKS FOR THE LESSON, FOR COOPERATION.

What are natural features this North American country? Where is Algiers located? large rivers, the nature of the relief - all this will be discussed in this article. In addition, you will learn about seven amazing facts that make this state unique, unlike others.

North African countries: Algeria

According to the UN classification, there are seven states. Among them is Algeria - the largest country in the "black continent". A huge part of its territory is the almost lifeless expanse of the Sahara desert. In the north, the country has a wide outlet to the Mediterranean Sea. The capital of the state is the city of the same name - Algiers.

According to the constitution, the country is a republic, in which power is divided between the president and parliament. However, somewhat more powers still belong to the president, because he is vested with the right to appoint a third of the composition of the Senate (one of the two chambers of parliament).

The administrative division of Algeria is very interesting. The country is divided into 48 so-called vilayets. Moreover, the southern regions are much larger in area than the northern ones. So, for example, on the territory of the Adrar vilayet, at least two dozen northern vilayets of the country could easily accommodate.

What are the main natural features of Algeria? This will be discussed in following sections articles.

Geological structure and relief

Within this country, two geological structures coexist:

• platform Sahara (Precambrian age);
• folded Atlas (formed in the era of Alpine mountain building).

Some interior regions of the country are located below the ocean level. This is one of the interesting features that Algeria has. Minerals mined in this state, their deposits are closely related precisely to the geological structure of this territory.

About 80% of the country's area is occupied by the Sahara - the largest desert on the planet. The relief features of Algeria are very specific: almost the entire flat part of the country consists of separate rocky and sandy massifs (ergs). In the southeastern part, the Sahara Desert smoothly passes into the Ahaggar Highlands, within which the country's highest point, Mount Tahat, is located (the absolute height is 2906 meters). Algeria stretches mountain ranges - Tel Atlas and the Saharan Atlas. They are separated by an elevated plateau generously cut by deep canyons and beautiful caves.

Like all other countries in North Africa, Algeria has a wide outlet to the Mediterranean Sea. total length coastline of this country is almost 1000 kilometers.

Algeria: minerals and their reserves

In terms of total reserves of mineral raw materials, the country can be safely put in the top five African countries. The territory of Algeria is rich in minerals such as oil and gas, phosphorites, iron ore, manganese ore, mercury, lead and zinc. Bituminous coal is mined in the Bechar and Xiksu regions.

The most important oil and gas fields are located in the areas of Hassi-Rmel, Hassi-Mesaud, Egel, Berkin, as well as in the Illizi valley. Explored oil reserves in Algeria are estimated by experts at 12 billion barrels.

The economy of Algeria is largely shaking on the income received from the export of its energy resources. After the fall in the global oil price in recent years, the state has faced a number of economic problems. Therefore, in 2015, the country's leadership decided to increase the volume of oil and gas production.

Climatic features

The climate in Algeria differs significantly in the southern and northern regions of the country. So, in the north it is of a subtropical Mediterranean type, and in the center and in the south it is of a tropical desert type.

Algerian winter is very different, depending on the specific location. On the coast, it is very warm, with heavy rains. The air temperature here even in January often reaches +12…+15 degrees. It is cooler in the mountains, in winter there is often a snow cover. Summer in Algeria is very hot and dry, regardless of the region. In the Sahara, the amplitude of daily temperatures can reach twenty degrees!

In terms of moisture different regions Algeria also shows significant differences. So, in the desert regions of the Sahara, only 20-50 millimeters of precipitation falls per year, and in the Atlas Mountains - up to 1000-1200 millimeters.

Water resources of the country

Almost all the major rivers of Algeria have the appearance of temporarily drying up streams that are filled with water only during the rainy season. The locals call them Vedas. The rivers of the northern regions of the country, flowing from the mountains, are more full-flowing. But in the center and in the south, all watercourses, as a rule, are “lost” in the endless sands of the Sahara.

Most Algerian lakes also dry up frequently. At the same time, their hollows can be covered with a thick crust of salt. Where close to the surface fit The groundwater oases are formed.

The largest river in Algeria - Sheliff - has a length of 700 kilometers. How it looks can be seen in the photo below.

The river originates in the mountains of the Saharan Atlas, crosses the Tuil plateau and carries its muddy waters to the Mediterranean Sea. In the lower reaches, the Sheliff flows in a deep and beautiful gorge. On the river there are large cities of Algeria - Esh Sheliff, Ain Defla, Hemis Millana. AT river valley Agriculture is actively developing in Sheliff, cotton, grapes and citrus fruits are grown here.

Flora and fauna of Algeria

The geography of Algeria is not only relief, minerals, climate, and its flora and fauna are important for the study of any country.

Algeria are very different from each other. coastal areas of the country, and northern slopes Atlas is occupied by a zone of evergreen forests and shrubs. These territories receive a sufficient amount of moisture and heat. Therefore, it is here that most of the inhabitants of this state are concentrated.

In the north of Algeria, forests of holm and cork oaks grow with an admixture of pine, cedar and juniper. They are home to wild boars, hares, as well as exotic animals - macaques.

In the southern and central parts, the natural zones of Algeria are radically different. These territories are occupied by the hot desert zone. Vegetable world here, of course, it is extremely poor and is represented by rare hodgepodges and ephemera. In the Sahara, you can meet a dangerous predator of the cheetah, as well as other mammals - hyena, jackal, gazelle, antelope. In the deserts of Algeria there are many small rodents, snakes and birds of prey, scorpions and phalanxes are found.

Natural beauties and sights of the country

One of the main natural is the Mediterranean Sea! It is best to admire its open spaces from the streets of one of the ancient cities of the northern coast of the country.

Tourists in Algeria must visit the Tassilin-Ajjer plateau, which has an unusual appearance. With the help of "weathering" nature has created pillars and rocks of amazing beauty here. It is on the Tassilin-Adzher plateau that the world's largest artificial cave is located, on the walls of which you can see mysterious drawings primitive people.

Another very popular natural site in Algeria is the Hammam Mescutin spring. The water in it warms up to 98 degrees Celsius. Local residents claim with confidence that she is able to cure absolutely any human ailment.

Of interest is the Gureya National Park, located in the north of the country, near the city of Sidi Tuati. In the 80s, it was included in the list of UNESCO biosphere reserves. The center of the protected area is the Gureya mountain of the same name, on the slopes of which representatives of an endangered species of primates live - magots.

Cultural features of Algeria

The culture of Algeria is based on the features of Arab culture, which were supplemented at one time by Turkish and French influence. Most of the population of this country speaks Arabic(or rather, in its Algerian dialect). AT major cities the residents also speak French quite well.

The vast majority of the inhabitants of Algeria professes Islam, Christianity is slightly widespread, as well as Judaism.

Local writers and poets write in three languages ​​- Arabic, French and Kabyle. Literature began to develop in Algeria in late XVI century. The impetus for this development was the desire of the Algerians for independence. Among modern writers, one should single out the novelist Yasmin Khadra, whose novels were nominated for the Dublin Literary Prize.

7 amazing facts about the country

Finally, we bring to your attention seven unusual and interesting facts about this country:

• Algerians really don't like being photographed. When they see the camera, they tend to turn away sharply.
• The date of death and the name of the deceased are not written on the graves here.
• Algeria is the only country in Africa where women are not discriminated against or harassed.
• It is an amazingly diverse country in terms of climate. So, in summer the air here can warm up to +50 degrees, and in winter in some cities it often snows.
• The influence of Western (particularly American) culture in Algeria is very slight. You can’t freely buy dollars here, you won’t find the usual McDonald’s in the cities, and Coca-Cola is not at all popular.
• In this country there is a lake filled with natural ink with which you can write.
• The metro of the city of Algiers was designed and built by Soviet specialists.

Finally

Now you know what is unique about Algeria. Minerals that are actively mined here are iron and manganese ore, natural gas, and phosphorites. The Algerian land is also rich in deposits of "black gold".

The relief features of Algeria are very specific. So, about 80% of the territory is occupied by the Sahara. In the north, it passes into the Atlas mountain ranges. But over 90% of the total population of Algeria lives on a narrow coastal strip (beyond the mountains).

Most of it is located in extremely hot and arid climatic conditions. In this article, we will talk in detail about the climate, relief features and minerals of the country.

Algiers: general geographical information

Algerian Folk Democratic Republic- one of the countries of North Africa, which has a wide outlet to the Mediterranean Sea (the length of the coastline is almost 1000 km). The total area of ​​Algeria is 2.38 million square meters. km. Thus, this is the most big state on the continent.

More than 80% of the area of ​​Algeria is occupied by the largest desert on the planet - the Sahara. Therefore, it is not surprising that the vast majority of the inhabitants of this country (at least 90%) are concentrated on a narrow strip of the sea coast.

The climate in most of Algeria is tropical desert (in far north- marine subtropical). Summer in this country is very hot and dry. In the Sahara, the air temperature can warm up to +50 degrees during the day. The average annual rainfall varies from 20 mm in the desert to 1200 mm in the mountains. Small rivers with a constant flow are only in the north of the country. They originate in the Atlas Mountains and carry their waters to the Mediterranean Sea.

Relief and minerals of Algeria (briefly)

As mentioned above, 4/5 of the territory of Algeria is occupied by the Sahara desert. Here it is not homogeneous and consists of separate massifs - stony and sandy. In the southeastern part of the Algerian Sahara, an elevated region stands out - the Ahaggar Highlands. This is nothing more than the emergence of the ancient foundation of the Sahara platform, whose age is estimated by geologists at 2 billion years. From almost all sides, the highlands are surrounded by rocky plateaus, which bring some variety to the rather “boring” Saharan landscape (Tanezruft, Tademait, Tassilin-Adjer and others).

In the north of the country, two ridges of the Atlas Mountains stretch parallel to each other along the coast - the Saharan Atlas and the Tel Atlas. Between them are raised structures - High Plateaus. The Atlas is a geological structure of Alpine age. In other words, these mountains are still forming today. Therefore, these areas are characterized by frequent earthquakes, from which many residents of Algeria suffer.

The relief and minerals, as is known, are closely connected with the tectonic and geological structure of the territory. In geological terms, the country's territory is clearly divided into two regions - the platform Sahara (in the south and in the center) and the folded Atlas (in the far north). Deposits of fuel resources are confined to the first, and deposits of ore minerals and construction raw materials are confined to the second.

Are there many minerals in Algeria? In the depths of this country lie oil and gas, ores of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, as well as a variety of building materials.

Atlas Mountains

The name of the mountain system, as you probably already guessed, comes from the name of a mythological character holding on his mighty shoulders vault of heaven. Apparently, the ancient Greeks, admiring these high and rocky ridges, really thought that they "propped up the sky." A similar identification, by the way, is found in Ovid and Herodotus.

Atlas is the largest mountain system Africa. It stretches through three states - Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. The total length is over 2000 km. Within Algeria, the mountain system is represented by two parallel ranges (Saharan Atlas and Tel Atlas). The plateaus located between them are dissected by deep gorges. By the way, it is in the mountains and foothills of the Atlas that the richest deposits of phosphorites are concentrated - one of the key minerals of Algeria.

It is curious that the highest point of Algeria is not at all in the Atlas mountains, but within the Ahaggar highlands.

Ahaggar Highlands

Ahaggar is a highland in the southeastern part of Algeria. It covers an area of ​​50 thousand square kilometers and consists mainly of volcanic rocks. The climate in the highlands is the driest in the entire Sahara. In summer it is extremely hot here, but in winter the air temperature can drop below zero. Within the highlands is the national park of the same name.

The indigenous people of the Ahaggar Highlands are the Tuareg (a people from the Berber group). For two centuries (from 1750 to 1977) they even had their own state - Kel-Ahaggar. At the end of the twentieth century, it became part of Algeria.

Tassilin-Adjer Plateau

This plateau is located south of the Ahaggar highlands, near the border with Niger. Its diameter is about 500 km, the highest point is Mount Azao (2158 meters). The plateau is composed of sandstones, in the thickness of which, as a result of erosion processes, stone pillars, arches and other objects of bizarre shapes were formed. The name "Tassilin-Adjer" literally translates as "plateau of rivers". Once upon a time, the massif was indeed covered with a dense network of watercourses. But then the climate changed, and only dried up channels remained from them, in which water appears extremely rarely.

Numerous petroglyphs have been discovered on this plateau. Some of them scientists date back to the 7th millennium BC. These drawings show scenes of hunting wild animals. Moreover, animals (rhinos, antelopes, buffaloes) are depicted incredibly realistically. Thanks to these findings, part of the territory of the Tassilin-Adjer plateau was included in 1982 on the UNESCO Protected List.

The highest and lowest points of Algiers

The highest point of the country is in the Ahaggar Highlands. This is Mount Tahat with a height of 3003 meters (according to other sources - 2918 m). The summit was first conquered by Swiss climber Edward Wyss-Dunant back in the 30s of the last century. By the way, ancient rock paintings dating back to the period between the eighth and second millennium BC were also found at the foot of the mountain.

The lowest point in Algiers is located in the north of the country. This is a salty and partially dry lake Melgir. Altitude this point ranges from 26 to 40 meters with a minus sign (depending on the water level in the lake). At maximum filling, the diameter of the reservoir reaches 130 kilometers. In summer, Melgir often dries up, turning into a typical salt marsh.

Cave of Anu Ifflis

In the foothills of Tel Atlas is the vertical cave of Anu Ifflis, which is the deepest not only in Algeria, but throughout Africa. "Leopard's Cave" - ​​this is how its name is translated from French. The depth of the karst cavity reaches 1170 meters. The cave was discovered only in 1980 by a group of French and Spanish speleologists. To date, it has been little studied. At a depth of 200-500 meters, the walls of the cave are covered with thin veins of gold ores. This pattern is very reminiscent of a spotted leopard skin (hence the name of the cave).

Geography and structure of the country's mineral resources

Algeria occupies the first place in terms of total and explored mineral reserves in North Africa. The mineral resources of the country include fuel, ore and non-metallic resources. Among them are oil, natural gas, coal, iron and manganese ore, uranium, copper, phosphorites and others.

Mineral resources of Algeria are distributed over its territory rather unevenly. Their main deposits are concentrated in three regions. Significant reserves of iron ores, phosphorites and barites are concentrated in the mountains and foothills of the Atlas. The second region is a plateau in the western part of the country, where significant deposits of iron ore are located. Finally, in the south, the minerals of Algeria are represented by non-ferrous (including precious) metals. Diamond deposits have also been discovered within the Ahaggar Highlands.

Algeria's top ten minerals (by proven reserves) are as follows:

1. Barite (6700 thousand tons).
2. Natural gas (3950 billion cubic meters).
3. Oil (1900 million tons).
4. Iron ore (1535 million tons).
5. Zinc (890 thousand tons).
6. Lead (500 thousand tons).
7. Phosphorites (150 million tons).
8. Hard coal (66 million tons).
9. Copper (160 thousand tons).
10. Marble (24 million cubic meters).

The total reserves of gold and silver are estimated by geologists at 30 and 700 tons, respectively.

What minerals are being developed most actively in Algeria today? We will talk about this further.

Oil and gas

Among the minerals of Algeria, oil occupies a special place. How important it is for the Algerian economy is eloquently evidenced by one fact: 98% of the country's exports fall precisely on the hydrocarbon sector. The oil industry is the main driver of Algeria's economic growth. At the same time, huge foreign investments are pouring into the oil and gas industry of the state, which only creates prerequisites for a further increase in the production of “black gold”.

According to the Oil and Gas magazine for 2007, there are about 12 billion barrels of oil in the subsoil of Algeria, which brings it to the third position in Africa. Most of these reserves are contained in the Hassi Mesaud deposit. Algerian crude oil is considered one of the highest quality in the world. In particular, it complies with all stringent EU standards regarding the sulfur content of fuels.

In terms of natural gas reserves, Algeria ranks second in Africa (after Nigeria). By this " gas giant"is the Hassi-R'Melle deposit, which was discovered in the middle of the twentieth century. It accounts for a quarter of the production of this fuel resource in the country. In total, there are 183 oil and gas fields in Algeria. Almost all of them are located in the northeastern part of the Sahara.

metal ores

Among all African countries, Algeria ranks 2nd in terms of iron ore, mercury and antimony reserves, 4th in uranium and zinc reserves, and 1st in tungsten ore reserves. The iron ore found in the depths of this country is not of such high quality (ferrum content is in the range of 40-55%). However, its deposits are very numerous.

The main reserves of polymetallic ores (lead and zinc) are concentrated in the north of Algeria. There are hydrothermal uranium deposits within the Ahaggar Highlands. Mercury deposits are also confined to thermal springs. The largest deposit of cinnabar in Algeria is Mra S'Ma.

There is also gold in the bowels of this North African country. The most valuable metal lies mainly in the south of Algeria, on Ahaggar.

Phosphorites and barites

Phosphorites are another mineral wealth of Algeria. In terms of its reserves, the country ranks 5th on the continent. Phosphorite deposits are located in the north of the country and are associated with carbonate and clay deposits of the Upper Cretaceous. The largest of them are Mzaita, El Kuif and Jebelyonk.

Algeria ranks second in Africa in terms of reserves of barite, a crystalline mineral that is widely used in the chemical, oil and paint industries. It also occurs in the northern part of the country. So, general reserves only one Algerian Mizab deposit is estimated at more than two million tons of barite.

In addition to all of the above, quite rich deposits of pyrites, celestine, and rock salt have been explored in Algeria. It is considered promising to study the Algerian subsoil in order to search for new deposits of copper, molybdenum, tungsten and manganese ores.

Finally

The largest country in Africa is extremely rich in mineral resources. The main minerals of Algeria are oil, gas, iron and zinc ores, phosphorites, barites, coal, marble. In terms of oil reserves, the state ranks third in Africa, second only to Nigeria and Libya.

The relief of Algeria is quite diverse. In the north of the country, the Atlas mountain ranges rise, the southern and central regions are occupied by highlands and plateaus. More than 80% of the territory of Algeria is covered with sandy and rocky massifs of the Sahara desert.

Due to its large extent from north to south, the territory of Algeria is located not only in different natural areas, but even in different zones. Northern Algeria occupies the central part of the Atlas natural region, which is part of the subtropical zone of the Mediterranean on the southern edge of the temperate zone of Africa. The main part of the country is occupied by tropical semi-deserts and deserts of the Sahara, that is, it belongs to the tropical trade wind belt of the northern hemisphere. The geological structure, relief, hydrography of these two adjacent natural areas, their soil and vegetation cover and fauna are different. Thus, the nature of Algeria has a dual character.

Although Northern Algeria makes up less than 1/2 of the territory, more than 90% of the population and almost all economic life countries. The influence of the Sahara on the nature of northern Algeria is very great. It enhances the African specificity of nature, creating its significant differences from the countries of the non-African Mediterranean. The natural conditions of the Algerian Sahara as part of the desert zone of North Africa are mainly characterized in an essay on the nature of the whole of North Africa, so here we will focus mainly on the nature of Northern Algeria, which also has many internal physical and geographical differences.

Features of the nature of Northern Algeria, as part of the Atlas region, are associated not only with its position in the far north of Africa, but also with the specifics geological structure areas. This tectonically mobile region of Africa was finally formed as the Atlas mountain fold system in the Tertiary time during the Alpine tectonic cycle. In the Alpine stage of mountain building, active volcanic activity also took place, especially in coastal areas, where many capes of the coast are composed of volcanic rocks. To the west of Oran, dilapidated ancient craters and craters of younger Quaternary volcanoes are still preserved. Witnesses of recent volcanism are numerous hot mineral springs.

Like most areas of Alpine folding, the territory of Northern Algeria is seismically mobile, and earthquakes occur here every year, and sometimes very destructive ones. For example, in 1825, more than 7 thousand people died as a result of an earthquake, and in 1954 strong earthquake left tens of thousands of people homeless and was also accompanied by many victims.

The complex geological history of Algeria predetermined the presence in the country of various minerals, the study of which, although quite active during the years of French occupation, is far from being exhausted. This is evidenced by the finds not only of oil and gas in the Algerian Sahara, but also of other deposits made during the years of independence. The country has large reserves of high-quality iron ores, usually containing manganese; Since ancient times, ores of lead and zinc, arsenic and mercury, antimony and copper have been mined. Many polymetallic and other ore deposits are essential to the development of the Algerian economy. Like other Atlas countries, Algeria is rich in phosphorites, mineral salts, cement raw materials, and other valuable building and ornamental materials. Along with the oil and gas deposits of the Saharan regions, this provides independent Algeria with strong natural prerequisites for the development of industrial sectors based on the processing of mineral raw materials.

The nature and economic development of northern Algeria is greatly influenced by such a feature of orography as height above sea level. high mountains in this part of the country there is not much: massifs with a height of 1600-2000 m account for less than 2% of the area, but lowlands (below 200 m) occupy only about 5%. More than half of northern Algeria is elevated plains with average heights of 400-1200 m. Often, even rather high absolute mountain ranges rise above this peculiar base by only a few hundred meters, giving the impression of a hilly, rather than mountainous country.

The Atlas Mountains consist of separate massifs and mountain ranges, the northern ones are called Tell Atlas. The western Tell Atlas, from the borders of Morocco to the massifs surrounding the capital, forms hilly chains interspersed with coastal plains.

To the east of the city of Algiers, the mountains of Tell Atlas jut out from the coast. The coastal areas are occupied by the ancient mountain ranges of Kabylia. From the south, they are joined by younger mountains with typical alpine peaks reaching 2000 m or more. The mountains of Kabylia are cut through by gorges of rivers, divided into many massifs and separate domed mountains. Seismically, these ancient mountains are less mobile than the Atlas. The sea, as it were, undercuts the Kabyle massifs, forming steep shores, rocky capes and closed bays, and giving the harsh beauty of this part of the coast.

East Tell Atlas occupies the northeast of Algiers. Mountain structures here resemble hills surrounding intermountain plains and basins. In the east, the mountains diverge into two branches: the Biban chain to the northeast, the Hodna chain to the southeast. The latter forms a kind of bridge between the northern and southern Atlas mountains.

A narrow depression separates the Hodna chain from one of the highest mountain ranges in Northern Algeria - Ores. In Ores is the highest point of the country - Jebel Shelia (2321 m). To the north of Aures lie the high plains of Constantine, the ancient granary of Algeria, framed in the north by mountains. These mountains are composed mainly of calcareous rocks and are distinguished by an abundance of karst landforms. In the east, the mountains merge with the Mejerda system, which extends into Tunisia. In the south, Ores comes close to the Saharan Atlas.

The Saharan Atlas is a continuation of the eastern part of the Moroccan High Atlas and, like it, forms the mountain barrier of the Sahara platform. The Saharan Atlas is a chain of mountains from the border of Morocco to Tunisia. These are the mountains of Ksur, Ulad-Nail, Ziban and Nemencha. Cuesta ridges predominate here. The proximity of the desert strongly affects small landforms (wind erosion, salt peaks, remnants, etc.). The average heights in the Saharan Atlas are 1400-1500 m, and only individual peaks in the south they exceed 2000 m.

Between the chains of the Tell Atlas and the Saharan Atlas, west of the Khodna mountains, the interior of northern Algeria is strongly leveled (average heights are 1000-1200 m) and is called the area of ​​\u200b\u200b"high plateaus" or "high plains". Numerous depressions and basins on these plains are occupied by drying up salt lakes - sebkhs and small temporary lakes - dai-ami. The monotonous relief of the plains is also disturbed by the deep valleys of the ue-dov, which are dry for most of the year.

On the coast mediterranean sea leveled areas alternate with rocky ones. There are no large islands off the coast, and there are no deep bays protruding into the land. The largest bays (Oran, Arzev, Alzhirskaya, etc.) are not very favorable for the entry of modern ships and require the installation of complex protective port facilities. But at the time of the rowing and sailing fleet, the Algerian coast was a stronghold for sailors of various Mediterranean powers, and especially corsairs.

predominance mountainous terrain, almost latitudinal strike of the main mountain structures and other features of the relief have a significant impact on the climate of the country.

Algeria is a country with a warm climate. Almost everywhere, the average monthly temperatures of even the coldest month (January) are above 0 °, with the exception of mountainous regions with altitudes over 1600 m. The difference between January temperatures on the coast, in the interior and in the southern Atlas Mountains is on average about 5 °. The differences in summer temperatures (the hottest months are July-August) average 1-2°.

Medium minimum temperatures below 0 ° in Northern Algeria are noted only in certain areas, but there are days with frosts on the coast every year. The absolute maximum temperatures are high everywhere, and even in the northern part almost everywhere they reach 40° and more (in the Saharan Atlas it is about 50°, and in the valley of the Shelif River the absolute temperature maximum of Northern Algeria is above 50°).

The climate of Northern Algeria is determined by the position of the two main air fronts - polar and tropical, and depends on the movement of air masses associated with them. In winter, when the Mediterranean Sea, especially in the western part, is warmer than North Africa, Northern Algeria is affected by cyclonic activity and the humid air masses brought in connection with it from the Atlantic. At this time, in some places of the mountain coast, precipitation even exceeds the norms of the temperate zone.

In the summer, when the permanent Azores anticyclone shifts to the north, the territory of Northern Algeria is included in its zone of influence. An anticyclonic regime with dry winds and high temperatures is established over the country for many months.

The difficult terrain causes significant local differences in weather throughout the year, and it is not uncommon for northern Algeria to experience different climatic conditions at close distances.

The formation of the climate of Northern Algeria is strongly influenced by the relief of neighboring Morocco. The Moroccan mountain ranges, exceeding the heights of Algeria, retain the moisture coming to North Africa from the west. For this reason, the low north-western part of the country (the Orana region) turns out to be drier than the coastal mountainous regions in the center and east, which are higher and more advanced to the north. These regions receive maximum amount rainfall in the country, but they themselves turn out to be a barrier, depriving the region bordering on Tunisia of a significant part of the moisture brought from the west.

The Algerian Sahara, which belongs to the continental part of the tropical belt and is the area of ​​the greatest warming of the surface layers of air, not only affects the entire atmospheric circulation within Algeria, but also directly affects the south of the Atlas part, enhancing its climatic differences from more northern regions.

The influence of the Mediterranean Sea extends only to a narrow coastal strip, where air humidity is higher, the amplitude of temperature fluctuations is smaller, and coastal winds are constant - breezes.

Summer, not even too much high temperatures not easily tolerated by humans and animals. In the coastal strip and adjacent areas, this is due to high humidity, as well as a small decrease in temperatures at night. In the more southern regions, where the average temperatures of the summer months are close to 30 °, the heat is especially hard to bear because of the withering winds - the sirocco. Under this name, the winds of the southeastern rhumbs blowing from the deserts are often combined. Siroccos are like our dry winds, they are especially detrimental to crops in the spring or early summer. During the year in Northern Algeria there are up to 30-40 days with sirocco.

The climate as a whole is characterized by slight cloudiness and a very long duration of sunshine, which is important for agriculture. Particular difficulties are created not so much by the general aridity of the climate, but by the unevenness of precipitation over the seasons. Heavy rainfall, which falls in the form of powerful short showers, is also useless and sometimes harmful to the economy. Therefore, the average annual precipitation in a country semi-arid in the north and arid in the south is only of relative importance for economic assessments.

Atmospheric precipitation falls mainly in the form of rain, but in winter time snow often falls over the mountainous northern regions. Approximately once every 10 years, it falls so much that traffic is hindered and communications are disrupted. For the highest massifs of Tell Atlas and Kabylia, Ores and even the Saharan Atlas, snow is a normal occurrence in winter, and skiing is possible for a short time in the mountainous regions of Dzhurjura and Babaran. Snowfall is essential for agriculture, as it additionally moistens the soil on the eve of sowing. Unlike Morocco, in Algeria snow does not play a significant role in feeding the rivers. Snow cover usually lasts no more than 5 days a year, and only in some mountainous areas - up to 20 or more. Hail is dangerous, falling most often during thunderstorms in spring and early summer. Hailstones sometimes weighing 100 g or more destroy crops and kill livestock.

Inland waters are of particular importance. Only one river, the Shelif, has a more or less permanent stream. The rest of the oueds of northern Algeria dry up during the dry season, retaining underground runoff and individual lakes in the valley - “gelts”. (These lakes are breeding grounds for malarial mosquitoes, and during the dry season they are the only refuge for amphibians.)

The Oueda, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea, is characterized by violent floods during the rainy season. The flow of water in rivers can increase hundreds and thousands of times, but for a short time. For example, on the Shelif and Makta rivers, which have a flow rate of about 2 cubic meters in summer. m / s, the maximum flow and floods reach 14 thousand, 1 thousand and 800 cubic meters, respectively. m/sec. Such floods, which suddenly occur within a few hours, often acquire the character of catastrophes. They demolish dams, destroy bridges, flood villages and fields. That is why in Algeria much attention is paid to the construction of protective structures against flood waters on the oueds.

The oueds of the inner regions of Northern Algeria, which flow into the drainless basins of large and small salt lakes, are especially distinguished by the great variability of the flow and the irregularity of the floods. Filled with water during the rainy season, such lakes (sebkhs) turn into a quagmire or salt marsh during the rest of the year. Large sebkhs, often called “shotts” on maps (although in reality the Arabs have long called the high banks of sebkhs so), have an area of ​​​​hundreds and thousands of square kilometers. The Chotta ash-Shergi basin annually receives more than 11 billion cubic meters of precipitation from atmospheric precipitation. m of water, which he loses almost all due to high evaporation. There are theoretical calculations of the possibility of intercepting this water for use for household needs, but the technical implementation of such a project is laborious and very expensive.

An important source of water for the needs of the population and economy in the interior of Algeria, as well as in the Algerian Sahara, is groundwater, which is quite rich in the regions of the "High Plains". Numerous mineral springs healing properties which have been known since the time of Roman colonization. Currently, these sources are used at balneological stations and resorts.

No matter how limited at first glance water resources Northern Algeria, they are widely used not only for water supply, but also for irrigation and hydropower generation. In Northern Algeria, there are about 20 large dams with reservoirs and several hydroelectric power plants, hundreds of small dams and thousands of artificial reservoirs of various sizes. The water management potential of Algeria still has considerable reserves, the use of which has become real thanks to the increase in the scientific and technical level of hydrotechnical work in the years of independence.

The soil cover of northern Algeria is characterized by various types of brown calcareous soils, similar to those of other arid parts of the Mediterranean. Under the forests of the most humid coastal mountain ranges, brown forest, often podzolized soils are developed. Gray-brown soils predominate on the internal plains, often with carbonate crusts - a sign of aridity. These soils are combined with solonchaks and other saline soils, and in the southernmost regions they gradually pass into the soils of rubble and pebble deserts.

The vegetation of the country reflects the dual nature of the Algerian nature: subtropical Mediterranean in the north and semi-desert and desert in the south. Typical Mediterranean vegetation has always been developed only in the narrow coastal zone of Tell Atlas and the Kabyle massifs. It is most clearly represented on the slopes facing the sea. This zone, due to fertile soils and good moisture, occupies a special place in the country's agriculture. Almost all lands can be cultivated here, valuable subtropical crops (grapes, citrus fruits, oilseeds, fruit trees, etc.) can be grown. Now, in its natural form, Mediterranean vegetation has been preserved only on steep slopes not used by man, in the highest massifs and in semi-reserved areas. But even in these places the vegetation is degraded, especially where there were once forests. Only in the first half century of our century, the area under forests was reduced to 100 thousand hectares, and the reduction of forests here began long before our era. Now important task for the country is the restoration of forests, which is closely related to the problem of protecting slopes and other lands from dangerous soil erosion. Throughout the north of the country, extensive work is underway to plant forests on artificially terraced slopes.

The peculiarity of the vegetation cover of Algeria is manifested in the fact that often the Mediterranean vegetation borders directly on the semi-desert. Such a change of botanical zones, quite rare in nature, occurs at a relatively short distance.

Typical Mediterranean vegetation - impenetrable thickets, or maquis, - found on the slopes of coastal massifs up to a height of 1000 m. Makvis form evergreen, often thorny shrubs, low trees (mastic, wild olive, pistachio, acacia, etc.). In more humid parts of the coast, groves of maritime pine have been preserved, the trunks of which are often curved towards the sea under the influence of constant winds. On the coast, natural vegetation has been almost entirely replaced by cultivated vegetation. At altitudes of about 1000 m or more, evergreen Mediterranean species predominate - holm and cork oak, Alep pine. In place of the reduced maquis, secondary vegetation appears with a predominance of a dwarf palm tree, which gives strong fiber, a kind of jujube plant, etc.

In coastal areas with altitudes from 500 to 1300 m, where more than 600 mm of precipitation falls, there are the main forests of cork oak, which produces high-quality cork. These forests have been exploited for a long time, they are affected by fires, and there are not so many trees from which you can get cork bark of great thickness. Above the belt of evergreen oaks, forests rise with leaves falling for the winter; chestnut-leaved oak, maples, etc. grow in them. They differ markedly from the forests of the temperate zone in that they are almost never completely bare: part of the old foliage is always preserved until new leaves appear. The vegetation of even higher belts of this part of Northern Algeria is represented by conifers - cedar forests with juniper forests, to which fir and aspen are mixed in the Babor mountain range.

For the Mediterranean part of the country, some wild and cultivated plants, brought here relatively recently, for example, prickly pear or Berer fig and agave brought from America, eucalyptus, etc.

In the southern part of the Tell Atlas, in the interior regions of northern Algeria, and especially in Ores and the Saharan Atlas, the vertical zonality has a different character. Aleppo pine forests are especially widespread here, growing well even with precipitation of 400 mm per year. It rises in these areas up to 1300 m, in Ores - up to 1600 m and in the Saharan Atlas - up to 2000 m. In the latter, sometimes the belt of Aleppo pine is located directly above the semi-desert vegetation. In the Sahara Atlas and Ores, tree-like junipers often form, as it were, an independent belt, rising to 2200 m. In Ores, you can still find relics of the ancient forests of the Mediterranean - the handsome Lebanese cedars.

All interior lowland regions of northern Algeria are occupied different types semi-desert vegetation, which are often called steppes or dry steppes. The grass cover with alpha grasses, sparta and wormwood is widespread here. Alpha is a dry-loving plant that develops even with precipitation of 200 mm, tolerates sharp temperature fluctuations well, but does not tolerate soil salinity. Alpha has a great economic importance, as its fibers serve as raw materials for high-quality paper, cardboard and wicker products. Salt-loving plants are widespread in the interior regions, growing mainly in the sebkh basins.

Even more than vegetation, was depleted for historical time animal world, although it is very diverse. Two thousand years ago it was from here for spectacles ancient rome supplied most of the exotic animals. Just a hundred years ago, in northern Algeria, there was a hunt for gazelles, lions, ostriches and other large animals, completely exterminated by the beginning of the 20th century. The basis of modern fauna are animals of semi-deserts and deserts. The forest fauna has been preserved only in the islands of the least disturbed forests of Tell Atlas, Kabylia and Ores.

Of the mammals, the mago monkey stands out first of all - the Barbary macaque, still found in the forests of Tell and Kabylia. Occasionally, hares come across here, and a species that is very far from its European relatives. In some parts of the Tell, Mediterranean rabbits live, which, as elsewhere, are malicious pests of crops. Many types of bats. Of the rodents in the more southern regions, jerboas close to Asian species are common; everywhere there are mice (forest, field), garden dormouse, from insectivores - shrews and hedgehogs.

Predators are now mainly represented by small animals; these are the fox, the steppe cat, the asca and the otter in the north, and to the south there are still quite numerous viverras - gennetts, hyenas, ichneumons, or pharaoh mice. From the Saharan regions, dune cats, lynx caracals, and jackals sometimes come far to the north.

Of the ungulates, small herds of gazelles remained, and bubal antelopes are very rare in the south. On the border with the Sahara, porcupines have recently been encountered, and the desert fox fennec fox occasionally comes in. Marine mammals have become rare off the coast of Algeria. In addition to dolphins, a relic species of the monk seal is known here, and Atlantic whales have repeatedly appeared in the past.

The world of birds is rich, but there are few local species and endemics, and the vast majority of birds are migratory or species common with Southern Europe. In the Algerian forests, the trills of our songbirds sound, the woodpeckers knock, the tits chirp. Birds from the families of passerines and ravens are numerous everywhere. In the interior regions of Northern Algeria, one can hear the familiar voice of the lark, see the handsome crane, waders and herons, and on the reservoirs - migrating geese and ducks, sometimes ringed somewhere in the Baltic states or near Moscow. There are quite a lot of birds of prey in Algeria; among them at least four species of eagles, falcons, hawks, kites, etc.

Everywhere in the country you can see representatives of scaly reptiles.. Lizards are especially diverse - thin-toed, wide-toed and fan-shaped geckos, gray monitor lizards, amphisbaenas, skinks, etc. Harmless chameleons live in the forests of Tell Atlas, which are often found in the homes of animal lovers. There are more than 20 species of snakes, of which 7 are poisonous. Snakes live everywhere. These are snakes and snakes, forest vipers and dangerous efa, or Mauritanian echidna, horned viper and Avicenna's viper, African cobra and steppe boa constrictor. Unpleasant for bathers meeting with sea snakes. Tortoises are very characteristic, of which the marsh, or water, turtle is the most common in the north. From amphibians, in addition to lake frogs and toads, in the north of the country you can see salamanders and newts.

There are few freshwater fish, but still in rivers and lakes you can fish for eels, stickleback, barbel, and in some mountainous uedas - trout. In coastal waters, ordinary Mediterranean fish are hunted - whiting, sea bream, mackerel, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, etc.

Everywhere you can meet representatives of arachnids - salpuga, or phalanx, scorpion, etc. Carriers of serious diseases of people and animals are ticks. Among the very numerous insects, there are many agricultural pests, but the most dangerous

locusts that periodically devastate vast areas in North Africa. Repeatedly since the end of the XIX century. The vineyards of Algeria suffered heavily from aphids, phylloxera. Another type of aphid - cochineal destroys the planting of olives and citrus fruits. Some species of ants harm cork oak plantations. Pest control is one of the most important economic concerns in the country.