Welcome to Tunisia, a country with three thousand years of history and 1,300 km (800 miles) of Mediterranean coastline. Tunisia is located at the tip of North Africa and separated from Europe by the Mediterranean Sea. Tunisia’s 165,000 sq km (63,700 square miles) of area has a variety of landscapes. In the north, it is dominated by the Atlas Mountains, vast green plains and low plateaus. To the south, the Sahara desert stretches with its many oasis and golden sand dunes.
The population, despite all the adventures that gripped the country for all its history, is an astonishing homogenous country. Islam is professed by more than 99% of Tunisians but there are small communities of Jews and Christians. From the 10 million inhabitants of Tunisia, the majority are concentrated in coastal cities. The capital is Tunis, home to nearly 3 million. The other two largest cities are Sousse and Sfax. The official language is Arabic, the language spoken is an Arabic dialect called "Derja". French is also spoken throughout the country and German and English are also spoken in many of the hotels and restaurants. English is now taught in the primary schools.
Tunisia has been a part of world history and coveted for its location for Millenniums. In approximately 800 BC Carthage was founded by the Phoenicians and became the most powerful civilization of Ancient World. One of the most memorable battles in history was launched by Hannibal. The famous Carthaginian crossed the Pyrenees Mountains with elephants, and then attempted to conquer Rome. When Rome defeated Carthage in the 146 BC, it became a Roman province. Rome ruled what is now Tunisia for over 500 years. For Tunisia, the Romans left behind their ruins, an infrastructure and the olive trees that can be seen through out the country and today produce much of the world’s olive oil. The land was conquered by the Arabs around the year 700 AD. The Great Mosque in Kairawan was built 820 to 836 AD. The Kairawan Mosque is considered one of the important holy places of Islam. Ottoman Empire spanned three continents, controlling much of Southeastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Tunisia became part of this Empire and was ruled by the Turkish Beys. In the 19th century, Tunisia became a protectorate of France and remained under French colonial rule until its independence in 1956.
Tunisia is a republic with a strong presidential system dominated by a single political party. President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has been in office since 1987, when he deposed Habib Bourguiba, its president from the time of Tunisia's independence from France in 1956.
It enjoys a temperate climate with an average temperatures range between 13 ° C (55 ° F) in winter and 28 ° C (82 ° F) in summer. There is always plenty of sunshine. Tunisia is a country where one can spend time and appreciate a vacation by the sea and with sun at any time of the year, stay in the paradise of a Sahara oasis, or experience excursions in the interior of the country and its countless archaeological sites and natural parks. Tourism contributes each year to the country’s economy and attracts over 6 million tourists to Tunisia, from every country in the world.
There is a lot to see in Tunisia. With its Mediterranean coastline and sandy beaches, it is a vacation paradise. But besides the sun and the sand, there is much more. The Roman ruins are spectacular. The Bardo museum houses some of the world’s finest Roman mosaics. At El Jem is an amphitheater that revivals the coliseum of Rome and still has live performances. At Dougga, there is a marvelously preserved Roman city. There are other sites at Bulla Regia, Maktar and Sbeitla, as well as the legendary Cartage.
During World War II, the English, French, Americans fought the Germans. World War II desert campaign sites and cemeteries abound for British, American, French and German tourists to visit. The North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial is situated 10 miles northeast of the city of Tunis. Here rest 2,841 of America’s Military Dead who gave their lives during World War II in the landings in, and occupation of, Morocco and Algeria and in subsequent fighting which culminated in the liberation of Tunisia.
For more information on Tunisia, visit the New York Times articles
