Algeria is the largest country in Africa, located in North Africa with a Mediterranean coastline and vast Sahara Desert interior. It is a semi-presidential republic and a major regional power with rich hydrocarbon reserves, though it relies heavily on them economically. Algeria faces challenges in economic diversification and youth employment but has seen significant human development progress and investments in infrastructure. The nation's history is marked by Roman, Islamic, and French rule, leading to its independence in 1962 after a revolution