The Influence of French Real Estate Policies on the Establishment of the General Land Survey System in Algeria

Land surveying plays a crucial role in clarifying and securing real estate ownership by accu-rately defining property boundaries on the ground and identifying legitimate owners. It represents the practical application of the real property registration system, which carries legal authority in confirming and formalizing ownership rights—a function that land surveying fulfills with precision and effectiveness. In Algeria, as in many other countries, the real property registration system based on land surveying was officially adopted in 1975. Nevertheless, the foundational stages of this system can be traced back to the era of French colonization, which spanned from 1830 to 1962. This research paper aims to examine the historical roots of Algeria’s land surveying system, with a particular focus on the influence of French legal frameworks. During the colonial period, French authorities introduced numerous legal provisions that laid the groundwork for real estate owner-ship purification through land surveying in Algeria.