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| Capital | Tunisia | ||
| Area | 163,610 km² | ||
| Population | 11 551 448 (2018) | ||
| Currency | dinar (TND) | ||
| Horizon | UTC 1 | ||
Tunisia (Arabic: تونس Tunis, berbere: Tunes, france: Tunisia) is a country in North Africa.
Regions
From the administrative point of view, Tunisia contains 5 regions (Arabic: منطقة minṭaqa) and 24 provinces (Arabic: ولاية wilaya).
From the tourist point of view, it can be divided into only 3 regions.
| Northern Tunisia This region contains the capital Tunisia, the northern coast, the mountain range, and the northern part of the east coast. There are famous spas, for example Suso to the east and Tabarka to the north, important Roman ruins, for example in Carthage, en Dugga and in Out-Sigh, and several Islamic monuments, including the Great Mosque of Kairouan. |
| Central Tunisian Coast This region contains the coast of Sfax to the border with Libya, with several places famous for their sandy beaches, among which Gabeso and the island Gerba. |
| Saharan Tunisia This region contains the desert hinterland, which is a small part of the Sahara. There is sand, dunes, but also rocks, salt lakes, traditional villages and ruins of Roman cities (Sufetula is the most important). Tunisia's largest national park is located in that region. |
Cities
The capital of Tunisia is:
- Tunisia (Arabic: تونس tūnis, france: Tunis), with just over 1 million inhabitants.
Some cities with more than 100 thousand inhabitants:
- Bizerto (Arabic: بنزرت binzert, france: Bizerte)
- Gabeso (Arabic: ڨابس gebis, france: Gabès)
- Kairouan (Arabic: قيروان [qai̯rwa: n]] or [qɪrwɛːn], france: Kairouan)
- Sfax (Arabic: صفاقس sfaks, france: Sfax)
- Suso (Arabic: سوسة susa, france: Sousse)
Other destinations
In Tunisia there are several archaeological sites that were important cities in antiquity.
Among them:
- Carthage (Latin: Carthage, arabic: قرطاج [qærtˤɑʒ], france: Carthage)
- Utiko (Latin: Utica, Arabic: وتيك ūtīk, france: Utique)
- Out-Sigh (Latin: Thysdrus, Arabic: الجم from sigh, france: The Jem or The Djem)
- Dugga (Latin: Thugga, Arabic: دڨة dugga, france: Dougga)
- Sufetula (Latin: Sufetula) next to the present Sbeitla (Arabic: سبيطلة sbeitla, france: Sbeïtla)
There are also places famous for their sandy shores or the possibility of entering the early part of the Sahara, the great desert.
Among them: (...)
The list is completed by 17 national parks, including:
- the Ishkul National Park (Arabic: إشكل, France: Ichkeul), with coastal lakes and rare birds;
- the Zambia National Park (Arabic: الشعانبي ash-shaʿānabī, france: Chambi), with dry mountain forests around the highest mountain in Tunisia (1544 m);
- the Jbil National Park, containing a vast desert area (1500 km²) in the south of the country.
Understand
Tunisia is the smallest of the countries in North Africa. It resembles the remaining North African countries in terms of religion (Islamic) and official language (Arabic); in other respects it is more similar to the neighboring countries of western North Africa (Algeria and Morocco), which together with it are called Maghreb .
Terrain
Tunisia lies on the southern shore of the Mediterranean and the northern part has the same typical weather of most Mediterranean countries, although slightly warmer and drier (see details below). Because of this, the countryside looks green and there is no shortage of forests, especially on the mountains, but rivers are short and poor in water. The longest river, Megerda, is 365km long.
Almost half of Tunisia - the southern part - is a desert, belonging to the edge of the world's largest warm desert, the Sahara.
In the desert there are two large salt lakes: Shot el-Gerid, more than 5000km², and Shot el-Gharsa, smaller (approx. 1300km²) and lower, largely below sea level (up to -17m).
There are not many mountains in Tunisia, but some do exist, near the border with Algeria. The highest peak reaches 1544m.
History
The oldest known inhabitants of present-day Tunisia were Berbers.
In the 9th century BC. (traditionally in 814 BC) the Phoenicians founded their most successful colony, Carthage, lying on the shores of the Gulf of Tunisia. Carthage quickly became the capital of a vast empire, ruling the southern shores of the Mediterranean and additionally Sardinia, Corsica, parts of Sicily, parts of Spain.
After three fierce wars, in 146 B.C. Carthage was conquered by Rome, and Tunisia became a Roman province under the name Africa (Africa). Carthage was destroyed, but after about a century Julius Caesar refounded it as a Roman colony.
Many ruins remain as traces of the wealthy cities that were located here at that time, and are today tourist destinations.
Since the 2nd century, Christianity has spread. Among other ruins are also those of ancient Christian churches.
In 439 the Vandals, arriving in North Africa through Spain, conquered Carthage, which was still under the Roman Empire, and declared a new independent kingdom. This, however, did not last long, for after about a century it fell under the Byzantine Empire.
Around 650 the Arabs attacked for the first time the Byzantine possessions in present-day Tunisia. In the following years, several cities fell under their rule; finally, in 695, Carthage was also conquered. The Roman province Africa got the new name of Ifriqiya. Initially, it was ruled by caliphs with their headquarters in the Middle East, but in the 9th century it became an autonomous emirate and later an independent caliphate. The Great Mosque in Kairouan was the cultural heart of the new state, while Tunisia acquired a new role in military and economic affairs; both were alternately also capitals.
During the 12th century the Almohad caliphs, ethnically Berbers, created a new caliphate in Morocco and from there they conquered the entire Maghreb and additionally southern Spain, taking away both from other Muslim rulers (Arab or Berber). They conquered Tunisia in 1159: for about 70 years, it was no longer the capital of an independent country, but only of a province in the Almohad empire. At the same time, however, the economy prospered, mainly due to Tunisia's maritime trade with other Mediterranean ports.
A more important change took place in 1574, when, after several unsuccessful attempts, the Ottomans stably took possession of Tunisia and the surrounding country.
In 1705 Hussein I began to use the title of "bey of Tunisia ". By this hereditary title he declares himself governor, under the Ottoman Empire. In fact, however, the bey of Tunisia is a very autonomous, almost independent king. The title lasted even after the end of the Ottoman Empire, until 1957. Since 1881, however, Tunisia has entered the status of a French protectorate, almost a colony; the bey no longer obeys the Ottoman rulers, but the French, always guarding some autonomy.
In 1956 the protectorate ended and Tunisia became independent. Since the following year it has been a republic.
Ethnic groups and languages
There are still a few Berbers living in Tunisia who speak the modern version of the Berber language (most of the current Berbers live in Algeria and Morocco), but also many of the Arabic speakers are probably descendants of ancient Berbers.
The majority of Tunisians speak Arabic, most often its local dialects. These dialects are similar to the dialects of Algeria and Morocco (sometimes referring to the set of Arabic dialects used in the Maghreb by the name of Maghreb language) and contains some influence of the Berber language.
Not many Tunisians speak French natively, but more than 60% know it as a second language, at least at a basic level.
Climate
Two things greatly affect the Tunisian climate: the sea and the desert. A succession of low mountains (c. 1000m), directed from west to east to almost the coast between Sfax and Gabes, is the southernmost of the mountain ranges that largely separate the impact of the two factors.
Thus, the climate of the northern part of Tunisia is a Mediterranean climate, with cool winters, rainy and hot, dry summers. It is comparable to Sicily, though a little warmer and drier. For example, in Tunisia the average temperature varies between 7 ° C during the January nights and 33 ° C during the summer afternoons; in Sfax and in Djerba they are still very similar. Annual rainfall is 400-500mm on the north coast, but only 200-250mm in Sfax and along the south coast.
Closer to the Sahara, and farther from the sea, summer is much warmer and the whole year much drier. In Tozeur, for example, in summer the temperature can easily exceed 40 ° C in summer, and rainfall reaches only 100mm per year.
Enter
Citizens of many countries can enter Tunisia without entry visa, if they travel for tourist reasons and / or up to 90 days. The image on this side shows the location at the end of 2018 - always check the current location for your country!
The permission to enter without an entry visa does not entail permission to enter only with simple identifiers. Even without an entry visa, it is almost always necessary passport. Common exceptions, from several countries, are group, arranged trips.
Enire avie
The most important airport in Tunisia is the Tunisia-Carthage airport, 9km northeast of the center of Tunisia. There are connections with several cities in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Last year also began a connection with Montreal in North America. (See the article on Tunisia for more information.)
The remaining airports are very small: the most important are in Monastir, Sfax and Djerba. Flights to them take place mostly only in summer, but there are also a few flights throughout the year.
Get on board
Tunisia has naval links mainly with Italy and France. There are several ferries, enabling the carrying of cars.
The main ferries reach Tunisia from Palermo, Civitavecchia, Genoa and Marseille. From Sicily the journey takes 10-15h (depending on the ship's volume and the weather); almost 24h or even more from the remaining mentioned ports.
There are also, at least in summer, ferries directly to Djerba.
Get on the train
It is possible to reach Tunisia by train from Algeria.
Get in the car
Travelers coming from Algeria or Morocco can reach Tunisia by car. For example, from Algiers to Tunisia it takes approx. 10-12 hours; the drive is a little over 800km long, of which more than half are on motorways (A1 in Algeria and A3 in Tunisia or A1 in Algeria and A4 in Tunisia, depending on whether one is driving through Suk Ahras or via El Tarf).
From other countries in Africa there are many difficulties due to the conditions of the roads and many safety risks.
From (or through) Italy or France, you can take your car by ferry (see above).
From Spain, it is possible to take a ferry to Morocco or Oran in Algeria and from there travel. (From Oran to Tunisia it is about 1200km, and it takes at least 15h.)
To move
Public transport
Aircraft
Tunisair Express, a branch of Tunisair, connects several places in Tunisia with Tunisia.
Website: www.tunisairexpress.net (france, angle)
Trains
The national railway company in Tunisia is SNCFT (French: National Society of Tunisian Railways, Arabic: الشركة الوطنية للسكك الحديدية التونسية, translation: National Society of Tunisian Railways). It belongs to the state.
In total there are a little over 2000km of railways, partly with normal gauge, partly with narrow gauge.
It takes about 2 hours from Tunisia to Suso or Bizerte, 3-4 hours to Sfax, 5 hours to Gabes and 9 hours to Tozeur.
Website: www.sncft.com.tn (france arabic angle)
Buses
The main company for bus transportation in Tunisia is SNTRI.
Website: www.sntri.com.tn (france, arabic, angle).
Common and ordinary taxis
Common taxis (rent) waits until there are 8 passengers. They cost around as well as the trains and reach places where there are no railways.
Of course there are also ordinary taxis. To travel from one city to another, they are less expensive than in Europe, but it is advisable to define the cost before the trip.
Drive a car
(...)
See
Curiosities in Tunisia belong to several categories. Below are some places worth mentioning about each category.
- Historical sights:
- from before Roman times: Carthage *, Utiko *, Kerkuan *, Metlaui * (megaliths), Gafsa, Dugga
- of Roman times: Carthage *, El Gemo *, Dugga *, Sufetula * (near Sbeitla), Thuburbo Majus * (near El Fahs), Utiko, Suso, El-Kef
- of the early Middle Ages (Vandal and Byzantine times): Carthage
- of the early Islamic time (Arabic and Berber): Kairouan *, Monastir *, Suso *, Tunisia, Sfax
- from Ottoman times: Tunisia *, El-Kef *, Bizerte, Sfax
- of the last two centuries: Tunisia *, Monastir (mausoleum of Bourgiba), Carthage
- Natural sights:
- coasts and islands
- desert
- salt lakes
- national parks
- Social sights
- Cultural sights (museums etc.)
Fari
Communicate
Buy
The currency is the Tunisian dinar (TND).
It is common to ask for reductions in prices, even very strong ones.
Stores
Eat
Traditional foods
Tunisian cuisine mixes the original Berber tradition, common to the whole of the Maghreb, with many later influences.
Traditionally, as in nearby Sicily, durum wheat is important, from which and pasta (as in Sicily) and couscous (as in the rest of the Maghreb). But pasta has arrived in recent centuries, while the origin of couscous is very ancient; even its name does not come from Arabic, but from Berber (ⵙⴽⵙⵓ sex, ⴽⵙⴽⵙⵓ keskesu, meaning "wheat").
There is not one couscous, but many kinds. The most typical, similar to the couscous of Algeria and Morocco, contains lamb meat, olive oil, various vegetables. Meat and vegetables are cooked in a casserole or boiled; on the contrary, the tiny grains of wheat flour are steamed.
Among the other species of couscous, it is worth mentioning:
- the fish couscous, traditional along the coast, for example in Sfax or Djerba
- the couscous with milk, in which milk and rosemary are added
- the couscous with usban, containing a sheep's stomach stuffed with beef mill
Vegetarianism and veganism
There are types of couscous without meat (only couscous grains, olive oil and vegetables), suitable for both vegetarians and vegans.
Pasta with tomato sauce can also be suitable for both when they do not contain meat.
Drink
When it comes to water, be careful in the south and in the smaller towns, as there can sometimes be health risks.
Coffee is usually small and strong.
Tea is widely used, most often after meals. Particular types of teas are tea with pine nuts and tea with mint.
Legmi is palm lymph (sometimes fermented, so containing alcohol).
Alcohol
Remember that Tunisia is a Muslim country, so alcohol is not to be found everywhere and one must pay attention to laws as well as customs.
Alcohol is not banned, however.
There are also traditional Tunisian spirits:
- Tunisian wines (often produced according to indications from French winemakers), among which Tyna, Thibar, Magon (red) and Cothage hills, dry Kelibia Muscat (white)
- palm wine (fermented legmi)
- boukha, liqueur from figs
- thibarine, a liqueur of dates
To live
Esperanto housing
Campsites
Hostels
Hotels
Security
Overall, Tunisia is fairly safe, although a bit of caution is always recommended, especially when it comes to thieves. Thefts can also occur in hotels and airports. Do not publicly display valuable items.
There are also occasional demonstrations (usually not in tourist places), with a risk of violence and skirmishes against the police.
In recent years, a number of terrorist acts have taken place (few - but they have taken place), and there are many police checks.
The places closest to the borders with both Libya and Algeria (except Tabarka) and most of the south are not safe. Excursions in the desert (usually from Douz) are allowed only with authorized companions.
Before the trip, find out about the detailed location in the places to be visited.
Healthy
Respect
Esperanto
Local Esperantists
Esperanto meetings
Embassies and consulates
In Tunisia there are embassies of many countries, as well as many consulates.
The list is available for example at embassypages (English, French, Spanish).
According to these reports, France has consulates in several cities outside Tunisia. Other European countries (not many) have each consulate in one of the tourist places, not all in the same (Austria, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Ukraine). Algeria and Libya also have consulates outside Tunisia.
Be sure to check out the embassy or consulate you are interested in though!
