EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3.90 The first imbalance observed in Algeria concerns the distribution of the population across the country. The narrow coastal strip in the north of the country, between the Mediterranean and the Atlas mountains, covers a surface area representing 7.5 per cent of the territory, yet over 66 per cent of the population live there. In contrast, the rest of the country represents 92.5 per cent of the mainly desert or semi-desert territory, but is home to only 34 per cent of the population. 3.91 Another imbalance is illustrated by the level of development in general and industrial development in particular, in the cities of the more industrialised, modern and affluent northern parts, as opposed to the rural communities of central and southern Algeria, which are generally poorer. These imbalances cause migration to the industrialised northern region, mostly by young people looking for jobs which, unfortunately, are insufficient in number to absorb them. It is important to emphasise, however, that thanks to the presence of gas exploration activities at Hassi Messaoud and other government development programmes, some oases of development and prosperity do exist, notably at Ghardaïa and Ouargla. 3.92 In addition, there are imbalances between the immense mining wealth of the southern part of the country, predominantly gas and oil. These resources are, however, buried beneath a desert that is moving inexorably northwards. There is a shortage of water resources and green areas south of the Atlas mountains. It is nonetheless known that the southern region has vast underground water resources, which have already been identified but only partially exploited, and there are other potential water resources that could still be identified. 3.93 Environmental destruction threatens the balance of the country‟s ecosystems as a result of earlier industrial programmes. Since independence, the country has committed to a policy of industrialisation with plans to establish industries not only along the coastal strip but also in the southern region, particularly due to the vast quantities of gas and oil to be found there. The downside of the industrialisation process, designed to wean the economy of its dependency on oil, has been that these industries, most of which subcontract crude oil byproducts, produce solid and liquid waste. 3.94 The environmental question is linked to that of territorial development. The CSAR reports that environmental degradation is responsible for a loss of around 7 per cent of national wealth, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP). The Ministry of Territorial Development and the Environment stated that “Algeria is faced with a major ecological crisis, which threatens public health and sanitation, the sustainability of fragile ecosystems, the sustainable development of the country, and the capacity of future generations to enjoy the resources they need for their socio-economic needs” 1 . 1 People‟s Democratic Republic of Algeria. 2005. Report on the current and future situation of the environment. Ministry of Territorial Development and the Environment, p. 20. 25