Algeria

French po e ion of northern Africa. Its area is about 150.000 sq. miles. The country is mountainous, in ranges parallel to the coast, with fertile valleys and plains near the shore. Pop. ab. 4,125,000, including ab. 300,000 Europe ans. It was early settled by Numidians and Mauri; afterward conquered and colonized succe ively by Romans, Vandals, Arabs and Turks. The latter established a military despotism. Their piracies were a constant menace to civilization. Charles V.'s fruitle expedition against them in 1541 was followed by like unsucce ful attempts on the part of Spain, France. England and Holland. In 1708, the dey. Ibrahim, freed Algeria from the dominion of the Porte. Piracy was somewhat checked during the French Revolution, but resumed on the return of peace. The Americans defeated the Algerine fleet off Carthagena. June 20, 1815. The bombardment of Algiers by the English and Dutch followed, and a treaty was secured by which Christian slaves were released, with the promise that piracy and slavery of Christians should cease. Piracy, however, continued. Difficulties with France culminated in a three years' blockade, ending in the bombardment of July 4, 1830, and a capitulation. The French took po e ion and control of Algeria. Many mistakes were made, and cruelties perpetrated, in the effort to introduce French laws and institutions. Abd-el-Kader became the leader of a "holy war" which raged for many years, with intervals of uncertain peace. Const an tine was meantime subjugated by the French; Algeria was placed under a governor-general; French men and foreigners to be subject to French laws, the natives to retain their own. In Feb. 1841, Bugeaud introduced a system of warfare that brought about the surrender of Abd-el-Kader, Dec. 1847. All attempts to conciliate the Arabs proved vain. After establishment of the French republic, the military government of Algeria was abolished. The territory of the Sahara remains under military rule. Algiers. City, seaport, and capital of Algeria. Pop. ab. 75,000. Algiers, CORSAIRS OF. See CORSAIRS. Algodonite. Mineral compound of copper and arsenic, named from a locality in Chili.