Algeria

**Algeria** is a playable nation in *Cossacks 3*.

## Background

A long time ago, Algeria was inhabited by Berber tribes. In the 7th century it was conquered by Arabs, who converted the Berbers to Islam. During the Middle Ages and in later periods, Algeria was a centre of piracy. Famous buccaneers such as Hairaddine the Red Beard, Dragut and Ulge Ali controlled the Mediterranean Sea, and a lot of European countries were obliged to pay them tributes. During the period from 1609 to 1616, Algerian buccaneers managed to capture a great number of vessels (only 446 of them were British ships). Their soldiers raided the Azores, Denmark and Norway. Pirate ships were sighted at the Elba and the Thames. In 1799, even the United States, who had just declared their independence, had to pay the pirates 50 thousand dollars plus 28 cannons, 10,000 cannonballs along with a sufficient amount of gunpowder, and to provide the buccaneers with ships and the necessary equipment.

Ottoman beys forced foreign visitors who brought their tributes to crawl under a wooden plank in order to make them bow to them. Sea piracy was legal and accompanied by the slave trade. Not just once did the European countries try to capture Algeria and smite the pirates' lair. In 1655, the British navy set sail and fought against Algeria. In 1683, the French fleet fired about six thousand cannonballs at Algiers and left the city in ruins. Five years later, in 1687, French Admiral d'Estre and a huge fleet armed with 18 thousand bombs were sent to destroy the city once again. But this time Algiers was greatly reinforced. About 100 cannons were set on the shore, while the city itself encamped 20 thousand soldiers. Civilians were evacuated to a safer place. When the siege and bombardment began, Algerian General Mesamorto ordered his troops to load the French consul and other French captives into the cannon and fire them at the enemy. The French fleet faced a serious counterattack. In 1830, the French army entered Algeria and took power in their hands.

## Characteristics

**General**:

-Cannot build Barracks, 18th century or any replacement;

**Town Hall**:

-Costs 450 wood, 250 less than standard;

-Provides only 50 dwellings;

-Cannot reach 18th century;

-Has 5500 health points, 1500 more than standard;

-Trains:

 Time

**Housing**:

-Has 4300 health points, 300 more than standard;

**Mill**:

-Takes a bit more space than the standard one: less field overall;

-Improve grain crops treatment costs only 600 food instead of 750 from standard;

-Lacks Improve grain crops storage;

**Storehouse**:

-Costs only 30 wood and 10 stone, instead of 50 wood and 20 stone from standard;

**Mosque**:

-Takes only 114 seconds to build with one peasant, compared to the 190 seconds of the standard;

-Has 19% more health points;

**Shipyard**:

-Costs 800 wood, 800 less than standard;

-Has 55000 health points, 10000 less than standard;

-Has no Yacht or anything that can replace it;

-Builds:

**Bazaar**:

-Has 4500 health points, 500 more than Market;

-Costs 150 stone. The second bazaar costs 6750 wood, 2250 less than Market;

**Barracks**:

-Costs no gold. Costs 400 wood and 400 stone, respectively 300 and 300 more than Barracks, 17th century;

-Provides only 50 dwellings;

-Has 35000 health points, 5000 less than Barracks, 17th century;

-Trains:

**Blacksmith**:

-Takes 133 seconds to build with one peasant, compared to the 114 seconds of the standard;

-Has 6500 health points, 1000 more than standard;

-Lacks Forge bayonets and broadswords for infantry;

-Lacks Forge new cuirasses;

**Stable**:

-Build 80% faster than standard;

-Costs 1000 wood, 1500 less than standard. Costs 2200 stone and 0 gold;

-Has 55000 health points, 35000 more than standard;

-Trains:

 Wood
 Gold
 Time

**Artillery Depot**:

-No Multi-barrelled Cannon;

-Trains:

 Gold
 Iron
 Time

**Minaret**:

-Takes much less space: very easy to place;

-Costs 1450 wood, 200 more than standard;

-Takes only 190 seconds to build with one peasant, compared to the 762 seconds of the standard;

-Lacks all upgrades related to gunpowder units, except artillery;

-Lacks Design multi-barrelled cannon;

-Lacks Design Montgolfier;

-Lacks Research improved steel grades for cuirasses;

**Diplomatic Center**:

-Costs 4600 wood and 2020 stone, respectively 300 less and 320 more than standard;

-Has 5500 health points, 1000 more than standard;

**Wall**:

-Costs 60 stone, 10 more than standard;

-Takes 146 seconds to build with one peasant, compared to the 110 seconds of the standard;

**Tower**:

-Costs 150 wood, 90 stone and 100 gold, respectively 50 more, 10 less and 50 less than standard;

-Takes only 1200 seconds to build with one peasant, compared to the 1500 seconds of the standard;

-Has 22500 health points, 2500 more than standard;

-Does 1200 cannon damage, 200 more than standard;

-A bit slower rate of fire than standard.

**Good for:** Low or no peacetime games.