Embassy Fortresses

The tour I'd really like to take in this city is of its embassies.

They are massive, rich, sprawling mini-fortresses. The French embassy is 17 acres in the middle of the city, reserved for France by the treaty that ended the Algerian War for Independence. The Americans have just rebuilt a vast new complex next to its old one but has held on to the 14th Century palace nearby that is the ambassador's residence.

The huge edifices stand in testimony to the oil, gas, cold and other mineral wealth of Algeria. The countries of the world all want a piece of the business action here.

But, security and diplomacy both crave secrecy, so these stunning buildings are all out of public view behind huge thick walls surmounted with barbed wire and guarded by heavily armed men.