New dynasties arose, including the Rustamids in the eighth and ninth centuries, who established a capital at Tahert. Various Amazigh and Arab dynasties followed, contributing to a dynamic political landscape. Algeria was part of larger Islamic empires such as the Almoravids and Almohads, which spanned North Africa and parts of Spain. These empires facilitated trade, scholarship, and architectural achievements. Mosques, madrasas, and fortified cities reflected the flourishing of Islamic civilization in the region.
By the sixteenth century, the Ottoman Empire extended its authority over much of coastal Algeria. The Regency of Algiers became a semi-autonomous province under Ottoman suzerainty. Algiers developed into a prominent port city, known both for commerce and for corsair activity in the Mediterranean. The Ottoman period left architectural, culinary, and cultural influences that remain visible today. It also integrated Algeria into broader Islamic networks connecting North Africa, the Middle East, and beyond.
The nineteenth century marked a dramatic turning point. In 1830, France invaded Algeria, initiating a colonization process that would last 132 years. Unlike some other colonies, Algeria was treated not merely as a territory but as an extension of France itself. Large numbers of European settlers, known as pieds-noirs, moved to Algeria, occupying fertile lands and reshaping urban spaces. Indigenous Algerians were subjected to discriminatory laws, economic exploitation, and political marginalization. shutdown123