Algeria, located in North Africa, is the largest country on the continent and the tenth largest globally by land area. Its vast expanse covers approximately 2.38 million square kilometers (919,595 square miles), making it a significant player both regionally and globally in terms of size and geographic diversity. The country’s administrative divisions, known as wilayas (provinces), reflect this expansive territory and are organized into 48 wilayas in total.
Here is an overview of the wilayas of Algeria arranged by their respective land areas:
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Tamanrasset: Tamanrasset is the largest wilaya in Algeria, known for its expansive desert landscapes and the Ahaggar Mountains. It covers a vast area in the southern part of the country, contributing significantly to Algeria’s total land area.
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Illizi: Located in the southeast of Algeria, Illizi is renowned for its desert terrain, including parts of the Tassili n’Ajjer National Park. It is the second largest wilaya in the country.
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Ouargla: Situated in the northern Sahara desert, Ouargla is known for its agricultural significance despite the arid climate. It ranks third in terms of land area among the wilayas of Algeria.
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Tindouf: Tindouf is notable for hosting refugee camps and being close to the borders with Morocco and Mauritania. It ranks fourth in land area, largely composed of desert and semi-arid regions.
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Adrar: Adrar is located in central Algeria and is known for its desert landscapes, including parts of the Sahara Desert. It ranks fifth in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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In Salah: In Salah is located in the central part of the country and is known for its natural gas reserves and desert environment. It ranks sixth in land area among the wilayas.
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Béchar: Béchar is situated in the northwest of Algeria, known for its desert climate and agriculture. It ranks seventh in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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El Oued: El Oued is located in northeastern Algeria and is known for its agricultural productivity despite the desert surroundings. It ranks eighth in land area among the wilayas.
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Laghouat: Laghouat is located in northern Algeria and is known for its desert terrain and historical significance. It ranks ninth in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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Bordj Badji Mokhtar: Located in the far south of Algeria, Bordj Badji Mokhtar is known for its desert landscapes and proximity to the borders with Mali and Niger. It ranks tenth in land area among the wilayas.
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El Bayadh: El Bayadh is located in western Algeria and is known for its desert landscapes and agricultural activities. It ranks eleventh in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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El Menia: El Menia is situated in central Algeria and is known for its desert landscapes and historical sites. It ranks twelfth in land area among the wilayas.
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Ghardaia: Ghardaia is located in central Algeria and is known for its desert landscapes and traditional architecture. It ranks thirteenth in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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Biskra: Biskra is located in northeastern Algeria and is known for its desert climate and agricultural activities. It ranks fourteenth in land area among the wilayas.
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Tissemsilt: Tissemsilt is situated in northern Algeria and is known for its mountainous terrain and agricultural activities. It ranks fifteenth in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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Ouargla: Ouargla is located in the eastern part of Algeria and is known for its desert landscapes and agricultural activities. It ranks sixteenth in land area among the wilayas.
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Béjaïa: Béjaïa is situated in northern Algeria and is known for its Mediterranean climate and historical sites. It ranks seventeenth in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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Aïn Defla: Aïn Defla is located in northern Algeria and is known for its agricultural activities and historical significance. It ranks eighteenth in land area among the wilayas.
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Djelfa: Djelfa is situated in northern Algeria and is known for its desert landscapes and agricultural activities. It ranks nineteenth in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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Oran: Oran is located in northwestern Algeria and is known for its Mediterranean climate and industrial activities. It ranks twentieth in land area among the wilayas.
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Sétif: Sétif is situated in northeastern Algeria and is known for its agricultural activities and historical sites. It ranks twenty-first in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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Constantine: Constantine is located in northeastern Algeria and is known for its historical significance and cultural heritage. It ranks twenty-second in land area among the wilayas.
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Annaba: Annaba is situated in northeastern Algeria and is known for its Mediterranean climate and industrial activities. It ranks twenty-third in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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Tiaret: Tiaret is located in western Algeria and is known for its agricultural activities and historical sites. It ranks twenty-fourth in land area among the wilayas.
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M’sila: M’sila is situated in northern Algeria and is known for its agricultural activities and historical significance. It ranks twenty-fifth in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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Batna: Batna is located in northeastern Algeria and is known for its historical significance and cultural heritage. It ranks twenty-sixth in land area among the wilayas.
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Tébessa: Tébessa is situated in eastern Algeria and is known for its desert landscapes and historical sites. It ranks twenty-seventh in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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Médéa: Médéa is located in northern Algeria and is known for its agricultural activities and historical significance. It ranks twenty-eighth in land area among the wilayas.
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Skikda: Skikda is situated in northeastern Algeria and is known for its Mediterranean climate and industrial activities. It ranks twenty-ninth in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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Blida: Blida is located in northern Algeria and is known for its agricultural activities and historical sites. It ranks thirtieth in land area among the wilayas.
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Relizane: Relizane is situated in northern Algeria and is known for its agricultural activities and historical significance. It ranks thirty-first in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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Chlef: Chlef is located in northern Algeria and is known for its agricultural activities and historical sites. It ranks thirty-second in land area among the wilayas.
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Tipaza: Tipaza is situated in northern Algeria and is known for its Mediterranean climate and historical significance. It ranks thirty-third in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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Mostaganem: Mostaganem is located in northwestern Algeria and is known for its Mediterranean climate and agricultural activities. It ranks thirty-fourth in land area among the wilayas.
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Aïn Témouchent: Aïn Témouchent is situated in northwestern Algeria and is known for its Mediterranean climate and agricultural activities. It ranks thirty-fifth in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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Sidi Bel Abbès: Sidi Bel Abbès is located in northwestern Algeria and is known for its agricultural activities and historical sites. It ranks thirty-sixth in land area among the wilayas.
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Naâma: Naâma is situated in western Algeria and is known for its desert landscapes and agricultural activities. It ranks thirty-seventh in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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Guelma: Guelma is located in northeastern Algeria and is known for its Mediterranean climate and historical significance. It ranks thirty-eighth in land area among the wilayas.
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Aïn Temouchent: Aïn Temouchent is situated in northwestern Algeria and is known for its Mediterranean climate and agricultural activities. It ranks thirty-ninth in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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Mila: Mila is located in northeastern Algeria and is known for its Mediterranean climate and agricultural activities. It ranks fortieth in land area among the wilayas.
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Mascara: Mascara is situated in northwestern Algeria and is known for its agricultural activities and historical sites. It ranks forty-first in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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Oum El Bouaghi: Oum El Bouaghi is located in northeastern Algeria and is known for its agricultural activities and historical significance. It ranks forty-second in land area among the wilayas.
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Souk Ahras: Souk Ahras is situated in eastern Algeria and is known for its agricultural activities and historical sites. It ranks forty-third in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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Tébessa: Tébessa is located in eastern Algeria and is known for its desert landscapes and historical significance. It ranks forty-fourth in land area among the wilayas.
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Ghardaïa: Ghardaïa is situated in central Algeria and is known for its desert landscapes and historical sites. It ranks forty-fifth in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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Boumerdès: Boumerdès is located in northern Algeria and is known for its Mediterranean climate and historical significance. It ranks forty-sixth in land area among the wilayas.
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Aïn Defla: Aïn Defla is situated in northern Algeria and is known for its agricultural activities and historical sites. It ranks forty-seventh in terms of land area among the wilayas.
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Algiers: Algiers is the capital city of Algeria and is located in the northern part of the country along the Mediterranean coast. It ranks forty-eighth in land area among the wilayas.
Each wilaya in Algeria contributes uniquely to the country’s cultural, economic, and historical tapestry, reflecting its diverse landscapes and societal contributions. The wilayas vary significantly in size, with the southern regions predominantly characterized by desert landscapes, while the northern regions often boast more Mediterranean climates and agricultural productivity. Understanding the distribution and characteristics of these wilayas provides insight into Algeria’s geographic and socio-economic diversity.