Tunisia - Tunísia

Tunisia[1] is a country of North Africa which lies on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, right in the center of Mediterranean Africa. Tunisia is south of Italy and Malta, bordering the Libya to the southeast and with the Algeria to the west.

Understand

Tunisia has a rich cultural history, dating back to antiquity. The Carthaginian empire, Rome's enemy, was centered on Tunisia. Its capital, Carthage, is now a suburb of Tunis. Founded by Phoenician settlers from Tire and Sidon (modern day Lebanon), Carthage was an ancient Mediterranean power. Three wars between Rome and Carthage (known as the Punic Wars) were fought in the early centuries just before the birth of Christ. These culminated in the decimation of Carthage in 146 BC by the Roman general Scipio, who is said to have wept at its destruction. Between the destruction of ancient Carthage and the Arab conquests of the 7th century, many cultures have made Tunisia their home. Carthage enjoyed a new period of prosperity under the Roman Empire until its collapse in the century. Roman rule was quickly replaced by the Vandals, who made Carthage the capital of their kingdom. Carthage was then temporarily absorbed by the Byzantine Empire, until the rise of Islam in the century. After the dissipation of the Arab caliphates, Turkish pashas from the Ottoman Empire ruled Tunisia. With the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Tunisia became a victim of European imperialism in the form of a French protectorate, along with neighboring Algeria. After independence from France in 1956, President Habib Bourguiba established a strict one-party state. He ruled the country for 31 years, cracking down on Islamic fundamentalism and establishing rights for. Habib Bourghiba was quietly replaced in 1987 by Zine El Abidine Ben Ali (Ben Ali for short). His forced abdication was carried out under the pretext that he was unable to perform his duties as president, due to his mental and physical ill state as a result of his extreme old age. However Bourghiba is still credited with the birth of the modern state of Tunisia, for which he fought his entire life. In recent years, Tunisia has taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its external relations. Internally, he has sought to diffuse the growing pressure of a more open political society. Malta and Tunisia are discussing commercial exploration of the continental shelf between the two countries, in particular for oil exploration.

History

The territory where Tunisia is located was colonized in 1000 BC by the Phoenicians, people of Semitic origin who founded Carthage, an important commercial center of the Mediterranean Sea until its destruction by the Romans in 146 BC It then became part of the Roman Empire. The Arabs conquered the region in the seventh century of the Christian Era and transformed the city of Tunis into the most important Islamic religious center in North Africa. In 1574, Tunisia is incorporated into the Turkish-Ottoman Empire and remains administered by Turkish governors (beis) until 1881, when it becomes protectorate of France. In World War II, the country, occupied by the Germans, became a scene of combat. With the end of the conflict, the Tunisian nationalist movement flourishes.

nationalism and dictatorship

In 1956, France grants independence to Tunisia. Habib Bourguiba, the main nationalist leader, is elected to the presidency in 1959, later becoming president for life. In 1964, his party becomes the only legal one. Libya's 1980 invasion of the south of the country is promptly repulsed. Strikes and popular demonstrations mark the 1980s and reflect growing dissatisfaction with the Bourguiba government. In 1987, the leader is deemed incapable of governing, replaced by Prime Minister Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who revokes the lifetime presidency and establishes party freedom. There is a resumption of economic growth, which reached 4.8% in 1992, with an increase in tourism and in relations with the European Union (EU). Ben Ali and his party win the 1994 elections. The government, however, is accused of persecuting the opposition, which the following year wins elections in 47 mayors. The growth of Islamic fundamentalism worries the government. The sentence of the president of the Tunisian League for the Defense of Human Rights to five years in prison, in January 1998, provoked international protests. In May, the government announces a plan to privatize 50 state-owned companies by the end of 1999.

Climate

Tunisia's climate is subject to Mediterranean and Saharan influences. The Mediterranean climate predominates in the north and is characterized by mild winters and hot, dry summers. Temperatures vary depending on latitude, altitude or proximity to the Mediterranean Sea. Average temperatures are 12 °C in December and 30 °C in July.

Regions

Northern Tunisia the capital Tunis, across the north coast and mountains, and some of the most popular mediterranean paradise resorts.

Tunisia's southern coast fax, Gabes and the beach resorts to the south.

Saharan Tunisia The desert interior - stony plains, dunes, some important archaeological sites, popular for desert excursions.

Cities

• Tunis
• Djerba
• Hammamet
• Mathath
• monaster
• nabeul
• Sousse
• fax
• Tabarka
• Tozeur

Other destinations

• Cartago
• Dougga
• two
• El Jem
• Jebil National Park
• Kerkouan
• Mathath
• Metlaoui
• Sufetula

To arrive

Visas are not required for Brazilians, Americans, Canadians, citizens of the European Community, nationals of the Greater Maghreb (Libya, Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania), Japanese and South Koreans. A landing visa (on arrival) is available for Australians. For New Zealand, Africa and other Asian "national countries, the visa must be applied for the covering embassy.

By airplane

Tunisair is the national airline.

Tunisia's main international airport for regular flights, is Tunis-Carthage International Airport (TUN), near Tunis. From the airport you can take a taxi to Tunis city center (be careful, counters can be manipulated). Alternatively, take the #635 or #35 bus to Ave Habib Bourguiba for about one dinar. The bus arrives approximately every half hour and stops in front of the terminal. Tunisia's second airport, Habib Bourguiba, Skanes, Monastir (MIR), which is served by low-cost charter flights from all over Europe. Monastir is closer to most holiday destinations. Cheap charter flights (at least from the UK) are available through airlines such as Thomas Cook. As of May 2010, Jet2.com also operates a Monastir service. Other destinations with international airports include Tozeur and Djerba. Other airports across the country are serving domestic and international flights, and here is a list of Tunisia Airports: Tunis Carthage International Airport near Tunis (Northern Tunisia) - Habib Bourguiba Skanes Monastir near Monastir (Central East Tunisia) - Sfax Thyna near Sfax Airport (East Central Tunisia) - Tozeur Nefta Intl Airport near Tozeur (South West Tunisia) - Gafsa Airport near Gafsa (Southwest Tunisia) - Tabarka November 7, 1987 near Tabarka (Northwest Tunisia) - Djerba International Airport on Djerba Island (South East Tunisia).

Of boat

Ferry services link Tunis to Malta, Trapani (Sicily, Italy), Naples (Italy), Genoa (Italy) and Marseille (France). Traveling boats usually depart from the port of La Goulette (near Tunis). Other commercial ports are also available (Rades, Gabes, Sousse Sfax, Zarzis...).

By car

By bus/bus

By train/train

Circular

By airplane

SevenAir is the national airline branched from Tunisair. You can fly between Tunis and Tozeur, Djerba and Gabes, as well as flights to Malta and Bizerte. French website only, online booking not only through SevenAir agencies.

By car

Highways in Tunisia resemble the American ones. Interstate or European roads with a dual carriageway: A-1 runs from Tunis south towards Sfax (The section from Sousse to Sfax has recenly opened June 2008), A-2 runs from Tunis North towards Bizerte and A-3 runs from Tunis West towards Oued Zarga. Tunisian highways speed limit is 110 km/h. It is possible to maintain this speed on the road very easily. The routes shown on some maps have a predicted length of Gabes, then Ras Jedir (Libya Borders) in the south from 2011-2014 and Ghardimaou (Algerian Borders) in the West, but several years later. The remaining roads have single lanes, with traffic abouts round- at the main intersections, which follow the European model (those at the roundabout have the right of way). Therefore, on roads other than the A-1,2,3, it can be difficult to maintain an average speed of more than 75 km/h most of the time as the speed limit is 90 km/h. Almost all road signs are written in Arabic and French. Driving in Tunis is very different than in the rest of the country, with road signs being largely ignored, and track markings equally treated as just theoretical. To see the Medina from Tunis, it would be better to park some distance from the Medina, and take the light rail (called TGM) from Marsa/Carthage, the green tram (called Metro) in the center, or perhaps a taxi to from the nearest periphery. Car rental is fairly easy to find, but a little pricey.

By train

The national railway company SNCFT runs comfortable modern trains from Tunis south to Sousse, Sfax and Monastir. There are three classes of service, namely Grand Confort (1 deluxe), 1 and 2, and all are perfectly suited. Example fares for Sousse Tunis are 12/10/6 dinars (6/5/3 Euros) in Grand/1st/2nd class. Although tickets are issued with wagon/seat numbers marked on it, it is largely ignored by locals. So if you are traveling with more people, try to get on board quickly to find adjacent places. A good thing to do is buy a Carte Bleue (blue card). It costs about 20 dinars for a week and you can travel all over the country using the banlieue (Suburban) and grande ligne (long distance). For long distance you will have to make a reservation and pay a small fee (1.50 dinars or so). These passes can be purchased to cover 10 or 14 days. Trains also go to Tozeur and Gabes in the south, where access is easy from the Sahara and Ksour regions respectively. At some stations, where train frequency is low (eg Tozeur), the ticket office will remain closed for most of the day and will reopen all the time for the next train to depart. A light metro (called TGM) also connects north to Tunis Carthage and Marsa. Take this light rail system from Sidi Bou Said as well.

By taxi

Private taxis are reasonably priced even for long distance travel, just be sure to agree on a fare before departing. See also [2]

By bus/bus

Long-distance bus (called car) is also a safe and economical way to travel between major cities such as Tunis, Nabeul, Hammamet, etc. You will usually find a station in every major city that offers many departures per day (a every 30 minutes between Tunis and Hammamet). Some of the buses on site called "comfort car" offer higher standards (tv, air conditioning) with cheap prices.

By train/train

by carriage

Speak

Look

history and archeology

Although Tunisia is now best known for its beach holiday resort, the country has a fantastic heritage with some exceptional archaeological remains to explore. little remains of CartagoBut what is well presented and an absolute must see for all visitors to Tunisia. This great city of the Pheonician dates and periods from the 6th century BC, and was the base of an extremely powerful empire that spans the entire southern Mediterranean. The most famous was Hannibal, who crossed the Alps to battle the Romans. Hannibal suffered his first significant defeat at the Battle of Zama in 202 BC, and after more than 50 years of being closely watched by Rome, Carthage was attacked in the third Punic War and completely destroyed. The city was rebuilt by the Romans a century later, and Carthage became the capital of the Roman province of Africa. What we see today are the remnants of what was. So much monaster like Sousse they are well known as beach resorts among sun-loving Europeans, but they are also heritage cities. Monastir has a history dating back to Hannibal's time, an especially remarkable museum and a wonderful ribat (fortified monastery). Sousse is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its authentic medina and souk, which is not to be missed. El Kef it has a splendid byzantine kasbah emerging from the old medina with its obvious byzantine and ottoman architecture. In El Jem you will find exceptional remains of a Roman amphitheater, another of Tunisia's UNESCO World Heritage Site.

the desert

Tunisia has one of the most accessible desert settings, the beautiful Sahara. Star Wars fans will recognize the village of Mathath. The troglodyte dwellings here were used as the setting for young Luke Skywalker's home on Tatooine. The western desert cities of Tozeur and two are surrounded by the beautiful dunes of the Sahara. In the northwest, the Mesa Jugurtha is a large table with a surface like the moon and deep crevices and is usually accessed from the town of El Kef.

Knife

Buy

Silver Jewelry Authentic Berber bracelets and necklaces can still be found in the souks. Bracelets are inclined to be heavy - some ornate some exquisitely modern in their primitive designs. Pricing is usually by weight, depending on silver content and finish. Necklaces are often restrung with the original silver pieces and glass beads, coins or coral, the latter increasing the price. A reputable store will show you the silver stamp, albeit on very old pieces that has sometimes been worn away. Copies of original jewelry are more plentiful and often just as beautiful, and lighter and easier to wear. Fish, Fatma's hands, triangles, bows and other designs are charms to ward off the evil eye or ensure fertility. The same symbols are often woven into carpets. Many fine books about Tunisia explain in detail the ancient meaning of these signs. While Nabeul (Cap Bon) offers a dizzying selection of pottery and pottery, many of these creations can be found in the souks. Ceramics, plates, bowls, are displayed in every color, hue and design. A careful eye will ensure that the hand painting is well done and the piece intact. Use and region dictate colors such as Jerba's yellow/green, Sedjane's earth tones and primitive designs, and Nabeul's popular blue and white. Guellela (Jerba) holds the award for the beautiful natural color of the clay used to create more "ceramic" . Oil and water flasks, basins and pitchers in a classic Mediterranean style. Relief, engraved or carved, in copper and brass, on trays, teapots, vases and ashtrays are found everywhere. The complexity of the calligraphy and design on the trays defines the price as well as the weight and size. Ashtrays that can be engraved on site with your name in Arabic are a popular and inexpensive souvenir. Both traditional and modern models are used by The Smiths, the choice is yours. Craft shops with fruit-based items, large bowls of small copper red enamel ashtrays in a beautiful variety of colors and hues. Hats, wallets, carryalls and hassocks are popular items, especially the natural or embossed leather hassocks painted with traditional patterns, or the ever-popular camel. Book covers are decorated with gold and the skill of traditional leather is partly reconverted into making quality leather jackets and coats. Whether you prefer natural wool or Kairouan camel hair alloucha, colored Klim, margoums, elegant or silk, rugs from Tunisia award the prize for quality and price. The selections in each category are endless and rare, it is the visitor who can resist such wonders at such reasonable rates. Shopkeepers will unroll one splendor after another until they find your rug. The Crafts Offices in most cities only sell stamped and inspected quality carpets and as long as there is no negotiation, prices are reasonable and you can ship your carpet by plane. Embroidery or plain, natural tones or prints, the same skill and art that is used to make the rug is used in the hand weaving of these items. Pure undyed wool blankets are much appreciated in the days of synthetic materials and fine shawls embroidered with traditional designs make unusual and colorful tapestries. The colorful, figurative rugs from Gafsa are often hung on the walls of banks, offices and homes and offer a wide variety of size, price and color. While it is possible to discover a real treasure in the souks in many cities, certified antiques can only be purchased in a few stores in Tunisia. There are imitations of ancient coins, stone and statueson lamps for sale in many stores and in the gift museum. Navigating through the souk shops you will find coins, statues, fossils, authentic traditional women's costumes, art deco, a brac and old bric versus antique pottery, furniture and artwork. The souk is also a treasure trove of inexpensive and interesting items for collectibles, ornaments and entertainment. You can find cheap sequins and golden harem outfits, jebbas and embroidered vests, scorpions, fossils, shells, African pearls, minerals, the sand rose, flip-flops, Bedouin scarves and bandanas, the Tunisian seals , which are of originality, define the beautiful pottery (collectors, visit to the Post Office Museum in Tunis), small tea boxes, pill boxes - some silver lamps, oil, flutes, Tunisia "harmonica", bottles of exquisite perfume, tambourines, perfume essences, incense and so on. Something for everyone! A collection of traditionally dressed dolls can be found in the official office of Craft shops. Well done and authentic replicas of Tunisian women's costumes and dresses make these dolls wonderful gifts and souvenirs. "Sidi Bou Said" white or olive wood cages are world famous and can be used as decoration and ..... for birds. Day market In addition to shopping in the souks of the Tunisian towns and medinas, the weekly market is held in most towns and villages in the country. It offers an incredible variety of products and miscellaneous items, along with the fun of sharing the hustle and bustle of the "weekly" event. Market days are considered a perfect occasion to sell your prize goat.... Plastic bottles, Berber jewelry, wooden kitchen utensils, souvenirs, just about anything that can be traded, sold or exchanged.

With the

Tunisian cuisine is much more in the North African Maghreb tradition, with couscous and marqa stews (similar to Moroccan tajine, but what Tunisians refer to as "tajines" are nothing like the Moroccan variety) forming the backbone of the most meals. Distinctive features are the fiery harissa chili sauce, the heavy use of small olives that are plentiful in the country, and tajines in Tunisia (not to be confused with their Moroccan counterparts) refer to a type of pie, like omelet prepared with a stew of meat and/or vegetables mixed with other ingredients such as herbs and vegetables, then enriched with eggs and cheese and finally baked in a deep pie dish until eggs are just one set, a bit like an Italian fry. Lamb is the mainstay of meat dishes. Local seafood is plentiful.

• Shorba Frik - lamb soup
• Coucha - roasted lamb shoulder with saffron and cayenne pepper
• Khobz Tabouna - (pronounced khobz Taboona) traditional bread oven
• Brik - very crispy thin crust with a whole egg (Brik à l'oeuf), parsley and onion and perhaps also minced lamb or tuna (Brik au thon). Very tasty as an inexpensive starter. Eat it very carefully with your fingers.
• Berber Lamb - Lamb cooked with potatoes, carrots in a clay pot.
• Merguez - small sausage.
• Salade Tunisienne - lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, onions, olives, radishes mixed with tuna.
• Tunisian Cakes - Baklava-related sweets.
• Harissa - Very hot spicy chili paste (somtimes milded with carrots or yogurt) served with bread as a yeast in almost any meal.
• Fricassé - fried sandwiches with small tuna, harissa, olives and olive oil.
• Bambaloony - sweet donut, like fried cake served with sugar.

drink and go out

Being a progressive Muslim country, the availability of alcohol is limited (but not much) for certain licensed (and invariably more expensive) restaurants, resort areas and General Magasin stores. Large department stores (Carrefour in Marsa/Carthage) and some supermarkets (eg Monoprix) sell beer and wine, and some domestic and imported hard liquors, except during Muslim holidays. Female travelers should be aware that, outside the resort and areas of major tourist concentration, they may find themselves having a beer in a smoky bar full of men who drink in a very specific way. Some bars refuse to admit women, others may ask for a passport to verify nationality. Look around a bar before deciding to drink! Beer - Local Celtia is the popular brand, but some places also serve imported Pilsner beers. Locally brewed Löwenbräu is decent, and is planning a Heineken Brewery Tunisia in 2007. Celtia "En Pressure" (On Tap) is good. Celestia is a non-alcoholic beer that is also popular. Wine - Most places that serve alcohol will have Tunisian wine, which is pretty good. Tunisian wine has always been produced by French winemakers. Most of it was exported to France until 1970. Cooperative cellars produce 80% of the wine that is mainly served to tourists. Since the privatization of some parts of these cooperatives, the international flavor of wine has entered the Tunisian market. Small businesses like Domaine Atlas, St. Augustin, Ceptunes etc., have successfully established the new generation of Tunisian wine. Importing wine is extremely difficult because of high taxes. Some high-end hotel restaurants can make French or Italian wines miraculously appear at a price. Boukha - is a Tunisian fig brandy. Coffee - served in strong small cups. Tunisian cappuccino is also served in small cups. "Café Creme" is available in tourist areas and may even appear in a "Copa America". Tea - is usually taken after meals. Mint Tea - very sweet mint tea that is taken at any time of the day.

sleep

• Tunisia Hotels[3].

Learn

The Bourguiba Institute of Modern Languages ​​offers intensive summer sessions in July and August for anyone interested in learning Standard Modern Arabic or Tunisian dialect. In the summer 2005 session there were over 500 students of all ages from all over the world. This included students from the US, France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Norway, Croatia, Turkey, Japan, China, etc. On the first day of class, there is no test to identify your level. Levels range from beginner to advanced, with 15 to 25 students per class. Only Arabic is allowed in the classroom. We use both the book with a course developed by the Bourguiba Institute and videos also with Arabic music and with the respective text. Courses are daily from 8:00 am to 1:15 pm. In the afternoon there are activities and excursions to the medina and museums. They also offer optional excursions to sites in Tunisia. At the end of the one-month course there is a written and oral exam. Several students complained about the lack of cleanliness in student dormitories. Some students stayed in a hotel and then rented a beachfront apartment for the month. It is usually easier to negotiate rental prices once you are in Tunis. Some students also expressed concern about the school's methodology, which appears to be outdated and in need of major overhaul. If you have studied Arabic before, either in your home country or at another school in the region, be prepared for a continuation of your sub standard Arabic studies. The school is in the city of Tunis. It's about a 20-minute subway ride to the beach. If you go to summer school, be prepared for the high temperatures.

Work

Labor issues are quite sensitive in Tunisia, as job offers are limited even for Tunisian nationals. Foreign investors are welcome to establish projects and the government is to provide permitting facilities relating to such initiatives. For a job a very high level of experience and excellent skills are naturally required. Low-level jobs are mostly in the service sector as in much of the world. Salaries in Tunisia are naturally lower than in Western Europe or North America, due to the lower cost of living.

Safety

It is not considered rude for a man to look at a woman's body which should indicate that modesty will attract less attention. Women can expect to be the target of frequent boos ("Gazelle" seems to be especially popular). Tunisian women often wear clothes that would normally be seen on the streets of any big city in the world (tight jeans, skin-tight top), but they do so while showing traditional modesty, exposing themselves little. Some are covered to the cuffs, collars for the neck (cleavage is non-existent) and a head scarf can be worn. Western women visiting can minimize attention by selecting clothing that minimizes the skin shown. The V-neck goes well if another layer with a larger collar is worn underneath. Persistence is a serious complaint. Theft of belongings, even from hotel rooms and safes, is widely publicized and caveats apply - keep valuables in a safe place (eg, supervised and secure hotel warehouse), keep wallets, purses and other desirable items that they cannot hide in their pockets, in a safe place. A good recommendation is to just carry enough cash for your immediate needs and just a credit card or bank, as long as you can be assured of the security of your reservations. Theft is also reported at the Airport. Keep your belongings under your direct supervision at all times.

Health

Malaria - There is not much malaria risk in Tunisia, but the bug spray pack. Sun Remember that the sun is often your biggest enemy, we recommend frequent application of a high (factor 30 or more) sunscreen. It is usually cheaper at local market. Watch what and where to eat and drink (remember the ice cubes too), diarrhea is a common complaint among uncautious travelers. Tap water in the high-end Tunis-Carthage-Marsa area appears to be safe (2006). Vaccinations Always check with your doctor 4-8 weeks before travel (04/08 The week is important as some vaccines take weeks to become effective, and with polio it can be contagious for a while too): Yellow fever is required for all travelers Hepatitis A is generally recommended two Havrix injections, given 6 months apart. Typhoid Poliomyelitis Hepatitis B - Highly recommended for anyone who may have close contact with locals or visitors, if for more than 6 months.

respect

Stay in touch

• Telephone - Public telephones are available in all cities and in most villages under the name Publitel or Taxiphone - in cities simply look around - there is at least one on each street. International calls tend to be very expensive (DT 1,000/minute for calls anywhere in the EU). There are two GSM mobile operators, private Tunisian and state-owned Tunisie Telecom, both offering extensive mobile coverage (including some oases in the Sahara desert). In May 2010, a third operator, Orange started commercial service with GSM and 3G (UMTS/HSPA) networks. Coverage is not great, but roaming with Tunisie Telecom available. Rates tend to be quite low for national calls, but very high for international calls (around 1500 DT/minutes). Order a prépayée carte for a prepaid SIM card.
• Internet - Public internet access is available in many cities and towns, often using the Publinet logo. Since internet access at home is very expensive in Tunisia, many locals will use them, so they are very widespread, especially in non-touristy areas of cities. Look for a large poster with the purple Publinet logo. Access is normally 0.8DT/hour, and speeds tend to be quite low 512kbps is the norm in Sousse and 2048 in Tunis ). Note that FTP and peer-to-peer access is not available anywhere in Tunisia, and access to certain sites, particularly those involving Tunisian political issues, is limited by the government.
• mail - La Poste Tunisienne is very efficient and fast. Rest Post is offered in some (large) offices.

Rapide Post is the Postal Service for sending mail and packages quickly. Once a Rapide Post package enters the US it is handled by Fedex. It is the best and safest way to ship things in Tunisia.

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