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Algeria (1924-58, 1962-)
Stamp-issuing status: active; Population: 28,133,082 (1996). A republic
in Northern Africa. Algeria was a territory of the Ottoman Turkish Empire
from 1518-1830 and during this period was one of the centers of the Barbary
pirates. France seized the coastal region in 1830 and during the 19th
century expanded its rule inland. After World War II, Algerian nationalism
increased, and French efforts to retain control resulted in a bitter civil
war. In 1958, Algeria became an integral part of France, and French stamps
replaced those of the colony. This effort to maintain the territory's
association with France failed, and in 1962 Algeria became independent and
resumed issuing its own stamps. Since independence, Algeria has been ruled
by socialist and military governments. The first democratic elections in
1991 produced a victory for Islamic fundamentalists, and the military acted
to nullify the electoral results. This provoked a bloody terrorist campaign
by the fundamentalists, which continues and has claimed tens of thousands of
civilian lives. |
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