Tunisia <div style="float: right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em"> <table cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="border: 1px solid #9866FF; background-color: #f3f3ff" width="220"> <tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #C9AFFF; background-color: #ddddff">Flag</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; padding: 2px">Image:ts-flag.png</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #C9AFFF; border-top: 1px solid #C9AFFF; background-color: #ddddff">Quick Facts</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Capital'''</td><td>Tunis</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Government'''</td><td>republic<br/></td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Currency'''</td><td>Tunisian dinar (TND)</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Area'''</td><td>''total:'' 163,610 sq km <br>''water:'' 8,250 sq km <br>''land:'' 155,360 sq km</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Population'''</td><td>9,924,742 (end 2003)</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Language'''</td><td>Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce)</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Religion'''</td><td>Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Calling Code'''</td><td>216</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Internet TLD'''</td><td>.tn</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Time Zone'''</td><td>UTC +1</td></tr> </table> </div>  '''Tunisia''' is a country in North Africa|Northern Africa that has a Mediterranean Sea coastline in the very centre of Mediterranean Africa. Tunisia lies immediately to the south of Italy and Malta. Libya borders Tunisia to the south-east, whilst Algeria lies to the west. Image:ts-map.png|frame|Map of Tunisia ==Regions== ; '''Administrative divisions''' : 23 governorates; Ariana (Aryanah), Beja (Bajah), Ben Arous (Bin 'Arus), Bizerte (Banzart), El Kef (Al Kaf), Gabes (Qabis), Gafsa (Qafsah), Jendouba (Jundubah), Kairouan (Al Qayrawan), Kasserine (Al Qasrayn), Kebili (Qibili), Mahdia (Al Mahdiyah), Medenine (Madanin), Monastir (Al Munastir), Nabeul (Nabul), Sfax (Safaqis), Sidi Bou Zid (Sidi Bu Zayd), Siliana (Silyanah), Sousse (Susah), Tataouine (Tatawin), Tozeur (Tawzar), Tunis, Zaghouan (Zaghwan) ==Cities== *Tunis - the capital of Tunisia *Bizerte *Gabes *La Goulette *Hammamet *Sfax *Sousse ==UNESCO World Heritage list== *'''Medina of Tunis''' - home to some 700 monuments dating from the 12th to the 16th centuries. *'''Site of Tunis|Carthage''' - from the C6th BC to the C2nd BC was the base of a powerful trading empire spanning much of the Mediterranean. Finally destroyed by Imperial Rome who established their own city on the ruins. *'''Amphitheatre of El Jem''' - beautifully preserved C3rd colosseum, the largest in North Africa. The amphitheater is estimated to have seated up to 35,000. *'''Bizerte|Ichkeul National Park''' - a freshwater lake and marshland which is the last remaining in a chain that once crossed North Africa. Of importance to migrating wildfowl and included on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1996. *'''Punic Town of Tunis|Kerkuane and its Necropolis''' - abandoned Phoenician city, probably the only example of its kind to remain. * '''Medina of Sousse''' - part of a trans North Africa coastal defense system, the medina contains many features typical of an early Islamic town. *'''Kairouan''' - the capital until the 12th century, it long remained the principal holy city. *'''Dougga / Thugga''' - Thugga is the Punic name for these Roman ruins of 65 hectares. Regarded as "the best preserved small town in North Africa" (World Heritage List inscription). ==Other destinations== *Matmata — desert village where Star Wars' Tatooine was filmed *Sidi Bou Said — beautiful seaside town of white houses with blue doors and shutters *Djerba — a popular tourist destination on a Mediterranean island in the south ==Understand== ===Climate=== Temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south. ===Terrain=== Mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara desert. ; '''Elevation extremes''' : ''lowest point:'' Shatt al Gharsah -17 m <br>''highest point:'' Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m ===History=== ; '''Independence''' : 20 March 1956 (from France) ; '''National holiday''' : Independence Day, 20 March (1956) Following independence from France in 1956, President Habib Bourguiba established a strict one-party state. He dominated the country for 31 years, repressing Islamic fundamentalism and establishing rights for women unmatched by any other Arab nation. In recent years, Tunisia has taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to diffuse rising pressure for a more open political society. Malta and ''Tunisia'' are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Tunisia's main international airport is '''Carthage International Airport''' ('''TUN''') near Tunis. ===By boat=== Ferry services link Tunis to Malta, Trapani (Sicily, Italy), Genoa (Italy) and Marseille (France). ==Get around== ===By train=== The national train company '''SNCFT''' runs modern and comfortable trains from Tunis south to Sousse, Sfax and Monastir. There are three classes of service, namely ''Grand confort'' (deluxe 1st), 1st and 2nd, and all are quite adequate. Example fares from Tunis to Sousse are 12/10/6 dinars in Grand/1st/2nd class. A light railway also connect Tunis northward to Carthage and Marsa. ==Talk== Arabic phrasebook|Arabic is the official language of Tunisia and one of the languages of commerce, the other being French phrasebook|French — a relic of Tunisia's former status as a French colony until 1956. English is of limited use. ==Buy== ==Eat== Tunisian cuisine is very much in the Northern African Maghreb tradition, with ''couscous'' and ''tajine'' stews forming the backbone of most meals. Distiguishing characteristics are the fiery ''harissa'' chili sauce and the heavy use of tiny olives, which are abundant in the country. Lamb forms the basis of most meat dishes. Local fish is plentiful. *''Shorb Frik'' - lamb soup *''Coucha'' - shoulder of lamb cooked with ''tumeric'' and ''cayenne'' pepper *''Tabouna'' - traditional oven baked bread ==Drink== Being a Muslim country, alcohol availability is restricted to certain licensed (and invariably more expensive) restaurants, resort areas and ''Magasin General'' shops. ==Sleep== ==Learn== ==Work== ==Stay safe== It is apparently not considered rude for a man to stare at a woman's body which should indicate that modesty will attract less attention. Travellers report problems being perstered either to buy something or for other purposes. Persistence is a major complaint. Some say that a refusal often results in a bad reaction, "being hissed at" is one example, but those that advise to politely refuse with a smile rarely complain. This seems to be borne out by the reports of sole female travellers who you would expect to receive the most attention, but who often report the least problems (from an admittedly small sample), perhaps because they are more cautious than accompanied females. It certainly seems to be the case that sole female sea bathers attract a good deal of unwelcome attention (even molestation) until a male friend arrives. Theft of belongings, even from hotel rooms and room safes, is widely reported and the usual caveats apply - keep valuables in a secure place (e.g. supervised hotel safe deposit), do not flash too much cash, and keep wallets, purses and other desirable items where pick pockets cannot reach them. A good recommendation is only to carry enough cash for your immediate requirements and only one credit or bank card, provided you can be assured of the security of your reserves. ==Stay healthy== ==Respect== Tunisia is a Muslim country, and dress code is important, particularly for females. Whilst a lot of skin (even topless) is tolerated on beaches and within hotel complexes, a modest amount of exposed skin may be frowned upon outside these areas. ==Contact== ==External links== *[http://www.tourismtunisia.com/ Tourism Tunisia .com] - official tourism website fr:Tunisie de:Tunesien {{msg:stub}} First page | Prev | Next | Last page |

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