Algeria: Flag and Facts
Algeria's flag is split into two vertical halves, green on the left and white on the right, with a red crescent and red five-pointed star centered where the halves meet.
- Official name
- People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
- Capital
- Algiers
- Region
- Northern Africa
- Population
- 48 million (2025)
- Languages
- Arabic
- Currency
- Algerian dinar
- Area
- 2,381,741 km² (919,595 sq mi)
- People
- Algerian
- Calling code
- +213
- Highest point
- Tahat 2,908 m
- Independence
- 5 July 1962 (from France)
- National symbols
- five-pointed star between the extended horns of a crescent moon
- Borders
- Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Mali, Morocco
About Algeria
Each color has a job. Green represents Islam, white stands for purity and peace, and red means liberty. The crescent curls tighter than on most flags from Muslim countries, because Algerians believe long crescent horns bring happiness. The fennec fox shares national symbol status with that star and crescent.
Over the centuries the land saw Numidians, Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Arab and Amazigh dynasties, Spanish forces, and Ottoman Turks. Under Turkish rule, Barbary pirates raided shipping from about 1500 until France captured Algiers in 1830. An eight-year war for freedom ended with independence on 5 July 1962. Desert and high plateau make up most of the country, with the Atlas range up north and the Hoggar range down south. Tahat is the tallest peak at 2,908 meters.
Did you know?
- Algeria is a little under 3.5 times as large as Texas.
- The lowest spot in Algeria, Chott Melrhir, sits 40 meters below sea level.
- A hot, dusty wind called the sirocco often sweeps across Algeria in summer.
Want to test yourself? The random flag generator has a quiz mode, and the full flags of the world page shows every flag at once.
Questions about Algeria
What is the capital of Algeria?
Algiers is the capital of Algeria.
When did Algeria become independent?
Algeria gained independence from France on 5 July 1962.
Sources
- CIA World Factbook, checked October 8, 2026
- REST Countries data (mledoze/countries), checked October 8, 2026
- Flag artwork: flag-icons (MIT), checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.