Algeria. Economy and Mining

After Algeria won its independence in 1962, many French and other European settlers fled the country. These were the people who had been running Algeria's most modern farms and factories. Algerians then formed a socialist government—one that owns or controls the means of producing goods, such as the farms and factories.

Since 1962, the government has tried to follow a three-stage economic program by: (1) developing industry, especially the petroleum industry, but also manufacturing and construction; (2) using the money from industry to develop modern methods of agriculture; and (3) developing industries that produce consumer goods.

By following this program, the government hoped to meet the needs of the people while creating a modern economy. Algeria is now a leader among the world's developing nations.

An abundant date harvest awaits transportation from the oasis of Touggourt in Algeria's northeastern Sahara, below. Date palms in oases are watered by underground springs

Mining. Algeria's huge deposits of petroleum and natural gas have been a major factor in its development. The northeastern part of the Sahara in Algeria has especially rich oil fields. Natural gas, petroleum, and petroleum products account for about 90 per cent of the total value of Algeria's export.

Algeria belongs to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), an association of countries whose economies depend heavily on oil exports.

Although it employs only about 2 per cent of the nation's workers, mining accounts for about 30 per cent of Algeria's economic production. In addition to natural gas and petroleum, minerals mined in Algeria include iron ore, lead, mercury, phosphate rock, and zinc.

Mining provides much of Algeria's wealth. Pipelines carry fuels from the main gas and oil fields deep in the northeastern Sahara to refineries on the coast. Deposits of other minerals lie near the coast

Service, manufacturing, and construction. Service industries account for a slightly larger portion of Algeria's economic production — 34 per cent. Yet they employ about 35 per cent of the nation's workers—many more people than does mining. Service workers include people with jobs in banks, government agencies, hospitals, insurance companies, and schools. Most service industries are privately owned.

Manufacturing and construction account for about 25 per cent of Algeria's economic production and employ about 30 per cent of its workers. The nation's chief manufactured products include construction materials, iron and steel, liquid natural gas, refined petroleum products, and textiles.

While most small factories are privately owned, the government has poured money into building factories and controls key manufacturing industries. Almost all factories are located in the Mediterranean coastal area in such cities as Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Constantine, and Skikda. However, there are still not enough manufacturing jobs, and many Algerians must seek work in France and other foreign countries.

Agriculture. Agriculture accounts for only 6 per cent of Algeria's economic production, but about U) per cent of its workers are farmers. Most farmers own small plots that produce only enough to feed their own families. Some farmers work on large government farms. However, the country imports more than a third of its food.

The western and central Tell have the nation's best farmland. Grains, especially wheat and barley, are Algeria's chief crops. Farmers also produce citrus fruits, dates, grapes, olives, and potatoes. Many people in the High Plateaus herd cattle, sheep, and goats, providing dairy products and meat.

Transportation and communication. Most of Algeria's 50,000 miles (80,000 kilometers) of roads and about 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) of railroad track lie north of the Sahara. Camel caravans still wind across the desert, transporting goods and people as they have done for centuries. But today, planes, jeeps, and trucks are also used.

The government controls the country's four daily newspapers and operates all radio and television stations. The few Algerians who own radios—and the even fewer who own TV sets—live mainly in urban areas. In rural areas, one radio serves many listeners, and few people ever see television.