Geography

Most of the Algerian coastal area is hilly, sometimes even mountainous, and there are a few natural harbours. The area just south of the coast, known as the Tell, is fertile. Further south is the Atlas mountain range and the Sahara desert. The Ahaggar Mountains (also known as the Hoggar), are a highland region in central Sahara, southern Algeria, located about 1,500 km (932 miles) south of the capital, Algiersand just west of Tamanghasset.

Algiers, Oran and Constantine are the main cities.