Nasrid Algeria | Overview

| Home • نظرة عامة | Nasrid Dynasty • بنو نص | Politics • السياسة | Economy • اقتصاد | Armed Forces • القوات المسلحة | Foreign Affairs • الشؤون الخارجية | Archives • أرشيف |
-

General Information:

Abd ar-Rahman's Banner

Royal Emblem

---

Motto: "The Rising State"

---

Demonym: Algerian

DEMONYM

noun

1. a resident of Algeria:
"I'm a proud Algerian."

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of Algeria
or it's inhabitants:
"the election of a new Algerian Taifwali"

---

Government Type: Unitary Islamic Absolute Monarchy

---

Emir: H.R.M. Omar Muhammed Abd Al-Rahman Nasri

---

Grand Chamberlain: Abdelaziz Abbas

---

Population: 13,491,016

---

Total Area: 2,545,351 km2 (982,765 sq mi)

---

GDP: $60.2 billion
Per Capita: $4,462.22

---

Drives On The: Right

History

Algeria is full of archaeological evidence that points to civilisations, such as the Umm an-Nar Culture, having been located there from the third millennium BCE. Settlements were also found farther outside the modern city of Algeria but closer to the modern city of Al Ain. There is evidence of Bronze Age Hafit period civilization around the mountain of Hafeet (Jebel Hafeet). This location is very strategic because it is Algeria's second tallest mountain, so it would have great visibility. It also contains a lot of moisture in its springs and lakes, which means that there would have been more moisture thousands of years ago

Moorish Invasions

Islamic rule in the area would begin to take shape around 611 AD, when the area was conquered by Muslim armies from North Africa. They were referred to as the Moors after Mauretania, an ancient Berber state in North Africa. Algeria's name comes from the Arabic word for the Roman settlement of ALEGRIA (Joy). Muslim rule in Algeria was not unified, with several sultanates, emirates and independent Berber-speaking states known as taifas being formed. Different Muslim armies also fought for control over Algeria. Nonetheless, the Moors built many splendid and glorious structures, including those made from the remains of old Roman temples and the Visigothic churches. Christians were allowed to remain practicing their faiths of course to pay an extra tax. This self-competition amongst the Arabs and Muslims themselves would prove to be a great disadvantage for them as this allowed Spanish, Portuguese and French soldiers to successfully re-capture the Iberian Peninsula and revert the people to Catholicism.

The Rise of Algeria

After 300 years of major infighting in the region, the last Ummayyad (His Royal Majesty, Emir Abd-ar-Rahman I) of Damascus arrived on Algeria shores in 901. From 901 to 919, he consolidated Umayyad control over the area and took over the small city of Algeria, declaring the Emirate of Algeria in 919. After winning the Battle of Thuliyyda in 924, Rahman's forces easily were able to begin the conquest of the nation under the banner of the Ummayad Emirate of Algeria. By 1027, Oran, the capital of the Moorish Ummayad state, was a thriving metropolis and a great center of leanings with over 70 libraries, 700 mosques, 3,000 public baths, sumptuous palaces on the clean and paved streets lit by oil lanterns. It was situated at the center of an important agricultural area along a river that was used for trade and the moving of raw materials and finished goods. Oran became one of the largest cities during that time.

Emirate Royal Palace, Oran

Algerian Golden Age

Oran was one of the greatest centers of learning in the world in the Middle Ages. Abd al-Rahman III's library reportedly had 400,000 volumes. From 1029 to 1566, Algeria was famous for its poetry, which resembled French troubadour poetry. Oran's libraries and poets were celebrated and Islamic scholars kept alive the knowledge of the Romans and Greeks which had died out in the Dark Ages in Europe. The monumental Great Mosque of Oran was built by Emir Abd al-Rahman IV and his successors as a symbol of the political and religious power of the Umayyads. Algeria grew rich through the export or beautiful ceramics, green and manganese Alhambra vases, detailed textiles, wool, silks, felts and linens, intricately carved ivory boxes, incense, and more. This Golden Age produced ground-breaking philosophers, mathematicians, and astronomers. Great leaps in science and navigation made the Algerian Emirate famed across the world for its sailors. Towards the middle of the 16th century, the Algerian Nasrids began to drift into political bubbles of palace intrigue and more, and soon decentralization set the Emirate towards a path of complete stagnation and fragmentation as the Walis (governors) of major cities began to assert more power.

The Centuries of Humiliation

In the 1500s, the Spanish Empire had grown powerful. Beginning in 1492, the Spanish conquered large parts of the ancient Algerian coast. The Spanish Empire wanted to convert the natives of its conquered territories to Roman Catholicism. Knowing this, Emir Abd ar-Rahman Zaidía built massive fortifications and military defenses in coastal Algeria. He sent scouts to spy on Imperial Spanish activity. In addition, Emir Zaidía purchased weapons from the British Empire, an enemy of Spain - knowing that his military's equipment was outdated compared to the superior weaponry of the Imperial Spanish Army. In addition, Emir Zaidía ordered civilians to remain heavily armed, and keep weapons, ammunition and anything that could be used to fight back. For two centuries the Spaniards began a process of great incursions, building up to the Second Battle of Thuliyyda in 1790. Under the leadership of Emir Zhulfiqari ibn Muhammad Abd-ar Rahman, the Spaniards were repulsed, but even then, remained a sentiment worried that Christian reconquest would be attempted again.

In 1812, Zhulfiqari ibn Muhammad Abd-ar Rahman, the Emir of Algeria's fears had come to fruition. Algerian scouts had tried to send warnings to the sultan of the coming Spanish invasion but were killed by Spanish coverts. On the night of September 3, 1812, Spanish armadas pounded the western coasts of Algeria. On September 5, there was another attack, this time in the north. Thanks to Emir Zhulfiqari's implementation of civilian armament, as well as Spain's war against the Portuguese monarchs, the Spanish attack was decisively repulsed and the most significant treaty was signed between the Spanish and Algerians ending the war and any wars to come between the states.

Modernization

During the First World War, Algeria did not see any fighting on its soil. However, the anxiety over the coming of war spurred the nation to modernize its armed forces and government. Emir Omar I al Rahman, began the process of drafting the 1930 Royal Constitution of the Emirate and Tairas of Algeria. The first phase of the constitutional, militaristic, and economic modernization began in 1915 when the Royal Act for National Narmorment was passed in 1915.

Miraculously, Algeria escaped the bloodiness of World War I. However, Omar I decided to continue the military buildup, fearing that one day, the country would not get so lucky. He passed the Royal Need for the National Defense Act of 1923, a continuation of the 1915 act. In his speech given from the Supreme Moorish Palace in Cordoba, he said,

In the 1923 act, all princes and taifas in the Emirate were to undergo military training, and to be taught military leadership. In addition, Omar I also established militias to undergo combat training. Males aged 18 and up were encouraged to take their skills further and join the Royal Algerian Armed Forces. The military became the country's highest source of propaganda. Emir Omar I was taken a particular interest in the military technology of the Russian Empire and its successor, the Soviet Union. In 1926, the Royal Algerian Armed Forces purchased Soviet military technology. By 1929, the Royal Algerian Armed Forces were the biggest military force in all of the region. The cities of Thulidiyya and Albacete were considered the biggest military centers of the state.

In the 1930s, as the military complex grew, interest grew in the oil possibilities of the region. On 5 January 1936, Petroleum Development Ltd (PDTC), an associate company of the Albacete Petroleum Company, entered into a concession agreement with the Emir Shakhbut bin Al-Mansuri, to explore for oil. This was followed by a seventy-five-year concession signed in January 1939. However, owing to the temperate terrain, inland exploration was fraught with difficulties. In 1953, the Shuddiya Exploration Company, the exploration arm of APC, obtained an offshore concession which was then transferred to a company created to operate the concession: Al-Daweed Duniya Marine Areas (ADMA) was a joint venture between the crown's Crown National Wealth Reserve and APC. In 1958, using a marine drilling platform, the ADMA Enterprise, oil was struck in the Umm Shaif field at a depth of about 8,755 feet (2,669 m). This was followed in 1958 by PDTC's onshore discovery well at Murban No.3, leading to major discovery of oil.

Following the discovery of oil, it was promptly nationalized with major oil companies growing inside the Emirate being able to sell to outsiders. In 1978, the Emir Omar II liberalized the economy using the Crown's oil wealth, developing major sectors of the economy while preventing corruption within the power bases of the nation. The Chancellory was given more power as per the 1982 Royal Amendments, with democratic elections being centralized to party members of the National Party for Royal Consolidation (Hizb Aldamjou Almaliki - HDM). This is considered the rise of Algerian democracy.

Geography

The city of Oran is on the northernmost tip of the Al-Sheghad Peninsula, adjoining the Mediterrenean. It is on an island less than 250 metres (820 ft) from the mainland and is joined to the mainland by the Maqta and Mussafah Bridges. A third, Emir Rahmani Bridge, designed by Zaha Hadid, opened in late 2010. Kulini Island is also connected to Saadiyat Island by a five-lane motorway bridge. Al-Mafraq bridge connects the city to Reem Island and was completed in early 2011. This is a multilayer interchange bridge and it has 27 lanes which allow roughly 25,000 automobiles to move per hour. There are three major bridges of the project, the largest has eight lanes, four leaving the Oran and four coming in.

Climate

A protected shoreline in southeastern
Algeria
Winter view

A mountain ridge on the eastern side of one
of the Jabariyya Mountains
Another view

Along the east coast in Similia runs a small mountain range running longitudinally, transforming into a large region of rolling hills on its west flank. The mountains hold a temperate rainforest that thrives on the precipitation caught by the mountains and the oceanic climate, warmer than the rest of the continent. The inner center, through most of Saqandriya Capitancy, is mainly tundra; the coast is usually ice-locked in winter. The oceanic north and east coasts and humid continental east and east central regions are the most populated, once home to a vast mixed forest blending to a boreal forest but now to a densely packed array of cities and farms. Large patches of boreal forest still remain towards the south. The west-central hills of Sharat are the driest part of Benhassiya, having a cold semi-arid climate and home to grassland and ranches.

The cooler season is from November to March, which ranges between moderately hot to mild. This period also sees dense fog on some days. On average, January is the coolest month in the year, while August is the hottest. Since the Tropic of Cancer passes through the emirate, the southern part falls within the Tropics. However, despite the coolest month having a 18.8 °C (65.8 °F) average, its climate is far too dry to be classed as tropical.

Oran

QRD skyline as seen from the Marina

Architecture

ADIA Tower to the left
and The Landmark at the
right in Oran

Nasri Tower

The city was planned under the guidance of Emir Zayed bin Muhammad Abd Ar-Rahman by Japanese architect Katsuhiko Takahashi in 1967 initially for a population of 140,000. The density of the Oranian Royal District varies, with high employment density in the central area, high residential densities in central downtown and lower densities in the suburban districts.

In the dense areas, most of the concentration is achieved with medium- and high-rise buildings. Oran Royal District's skyscrapers such as the notable Etihad Towers, Royal Investment Authority Tower, the National Bank of Algeria headquarters, the Baynunah Tower, and the Etisalat headquarters are usually found in the financial districts of QRD. Other notable modern buildings include the Aldar Headquarters, the first circular skyscraper in the world and the Royal Palace with its design inspired by the Arab heritage of the Nasrids.

The development of tall buildings has been encouraged in the Algeria Plan 2000, which will lead to the construction of many new skyscrapers over the next decade, particularly in the expansion of QRD's central business district such as the new developments on Al Sowwah Island and Al Reem Island.

QRD already has a number of supertall skyscrapers under construction throughout the city. Some of the tallest buildings on the skyline include the 382 m (1,253.28 ft) Central Market Residential Tower, the 324 m (1,062.99 ft) The Landmark and the 74-story, 310 m (1,017.06 ft) Sky Tower, all of them completed. Also many other skyscrapers over 150 m (492.13 ft) (500 ft) are either proposed or approved and could transform the city's skyline. As of July 2008, there were 62 high-rise buildings 23 to 150 m (75.46 to 492.13 ft) under construction, approved for construction, or proposed for construction.

Front and entrance of
Grand Mosque

In addition, the growth of the middle-income residential sector has also seen the QRD's skyline shift outward, with more mid and high rises being built just outside the city center to accommodate the expected growth in the immigrant population as well as house more middle-income residents by creating more affordable homes. These new homes are also expected to be a major factor in driving Algeria's economy in the near to mid future. Significant contributors to the transformation of the QRD's skyline are developers Aldar Properties and IMKAN Properties, responsible for contributing through numerous megaprojects.

One of the most domineering centers is the Algerian Grand Mosque of the Alawiyya Sufi Sect. Its design and construction reportedly 'unites the world', using artisans and materials from many countries including Italy, Germany, Morocco, Pakistan, India, Turkey, Iran, China, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Greece and the rest of the Emirate. More than 3,000 workers and 38 contracting companies took part in the construction of the mosque. Natural materials were chosen for much of its design and construction due to their long-lasting qualities, including marble, stone, gold, semi-precious stones, crystals and ceramics. Construction began on 5 November 1996. The maximum capacity is approximately 41,000 people and the overall structure is 22,412 square metres (241,240 square feet), the internal prayer halls were initially opened in December 2007.

Economy

Etihad Towers in the evening

The Nasrid Emirate of Algeria's large hydrocarbon wealth gives it one of the highest GDP per capita in the world. Algeria thus holds 7% of the world's proven oil reserves (140.8bn barrels) and almost 5% of the world's natural gas (5.8 billion cubic metres or 200 billion cubic feet). Oil production in Algeria was in the region of 10 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2008, and projects are in progress to boost production to 11 million bpd. In recent years the focus has turned to gas as increasing domestic consumption for power, desalination and reinjection of gas into oil fields increases demand. Gas extraction is not without its difficulties, however, as demonstrated by the sour gas project at Shaqqifra Taifa where the gas is rich in hydrogen sulphide content and is expensive to develop and process.

Etihad Airways, one of the
world's largest airlines, is based
in Algeria

Since 1989, the government has been diversifying their economic plans. Served by high oil prices then, the country's non-oil and gas GDP has outstripped that attributable to the energy sector. Non-oil and gas GDP now constitutes more than 50% of Algeria’s total GDP. This trend is reflected in Algeria with substantial new investment in industry, real estate, tourism and retail. Algeria has reaped the most benefits from this trend. It has taken on an active diversification and liberalisation programme to reduce the nation's reliance on the hydrocarbon sector. This is evident in the emphasis on industrial diversification with the completion of free zones, Industrial City of Oran, the twofour54 Algeria media free zone and the construction of another, ICAD II, in the pipeline. There has also been a drive to promote the tourism and real estate sectors with the Algeria Tourism Authority and the Tourism and Development Investment Company undertaking several large-scale development projects. Many of these projects, including Ferrari World and Warner Bros. World Algeria, have been completed, and are served by an improved transport infrastructure with a new port, an expanded airport and a proposed rail link between Oran Royal District and Isibiliyya all in the development stages.

An Algerian Police patrol car
on duty at Royal Palace

Algeria is the wealthiest nation in the region in terms of Gross domestic product (GDP) and per capita income. More than $200 Billion is invested worldwide in its capital city alone. In 2007, the GDP per capita also reached $25,000, which ranks 33rd in the world. Taxation in Algeria is nil for a resident and for a non-bank, non-oil company. The Nasrid Emirate of Algeria is a fast-growing economy: in 2006 the per capita income grew by 9%, providing a GDP per capita of $26,220 and ranking 15th in the world at purchasing power parity. Algeria's sovereign wealth fund, the Algerian Royal Investment Authority (ARIA), currently estimated at US$975 billion, is the world's wealthiest sovereign fund in terms of total asset value. Etihad Airways maintains its headquarters in Algeria.

Marina Shopping Mall, one of the
largest shopping malls in the nation

Algeria's government is looking to expand revenue from oil and gas production to tourism and other sorts of things which would attract different types of people. This goal is seen in the amount of attention Oran is giving to its International Airport. The main international airport in Thuleyyda, in 2009, experienced a 30%+ growth in passenger usage. This idea of diversification of the economy is also seen in the Algerian Economic Vision 2030 planned by the Oran Urban Planning Council. In this plan Algeria's economy will be sustainable and not be dependent on any one facet or source of revenue. More specifically the non-oil portion of income is planned to be increased from about 50% to about 60%.