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Travel & Tourism . Tourist Guide to the Country

Tunisia Introduction





Tunisia extends farther north than any other country in Africa. Its northern tip is only 137 kilometres from Sicily, Italy, a part of Europe. Both northern and eastern Tunisia border the Mediterranean Sea.

Tunisia is part of the Arab world, the Mediterranean area, and Africa. Almost all Tunisians speak Arabic and follow an Arab way of life. For hundreds of years, trade routes have connected Tunisia to Africa south of the Sahara.

France controlled Tunisia from 1881 until Tunisia became independent in 1956. Tunisia shows many French influences. Tunis is its capital and largest city.

A Short Background

Following independence from France in 1956, President Habib BOURGIUBA 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.

PEOPLE & HISTORY
Modern Tunisians are the descendents of indigenous Berbers and of people from numerous civilizations that have invaded, migrated to and been assimilated into the population over the millenia. Recorded history in Tunisia begins with the arrival of Phoenicians, who founded Carthage and other North African settlements in the 8th century BC. Carthage became a major sea power, clashing with Rome for control of the Mediteranean until it was defeated and captured by the Romans in 146 B.C.

The Romans ruled and settled in North Africa until the 5th century when the Roman Empire fell and Tunisia was invaded by European tribes, including the Vandals. The Muslim conquest in the 7th century transformed Tunisia's and the make-up of its population, with subsequent waves of migration from around the Arab and Ottoman world, including significant numbers of Spanish Moors and Jews at the end of the 15th century.

Tunisia became a center of Arab culture and learning and was assimilated into the Turkish Ottoman Empire in the 16th century. It was a French protectorate from 1881 until independence in 1956, and retains close political, economic, and cultural ties with France.

Nearly all Tunisians (98% of the population) are Muslim. There has been a Jewish population on the southern island of Djerba for 2000 years, and there remains a small Jewish population in Tunis which is descended from those who fled Spain in the late 15th century. There is no indigenous Christian population. Small nomadic indigenous minorities have been mostly assimilated into the larger population.


1UpTravel's Guide to Tunisia

Topography of Tunisia - Read more about the geography and topography of Tunisia

History of Tunisia - Presents a detailed historical background and culture of Tunisia

Life & People of Tunisia - Study the characteristics, background, and details on the people of Tunisia

Local Cuisine of Tunisia - Find out delicious local cuisines of Tunisia

Holidays in Tunisia - Check out a list of the local holidays in Tunisia

Festivals in Tunisia - Learn about the festivals in Tunisia

Embassies of Tunisia - Provides an Embassy database for Tunisia

Administration facts of Tunisia - Learn about the governmental administration facts of Tunisia

Newstands in Tunisia - Browse through a collection of local online newspapers of Tunisia

Attractions in Tunisia - Discover the best places to visit, sight seeing, and tourist attractions in Tunisia

Maps of Tunisia - Discover a detailed map of Tunisia

Map Database of Tunisia - Browse a large collection of city, country, historical, political, thematic, and shaded relief maps of Tunisia

Flags of Tunisia - Uncover the flag images and description of the flag of Tunisia. Includes historical flags, symbols, and related information

Weather for cities of Tunisia - Browse weather forecast, hourly conditions, temperature, sunrise, sunset, and other weather related reports for the cities of Tunisia

Shopping in Tunisia - Find out the best places for shopping in Tunisia

Restaurants in Tunisia - Browse a list of eat-outs in Tunisia

Geography of Tunisia - Highlights the location, map references, area, land boundaries, climate, natural resources, land use, natural hazards, environment, and geography of Tunisia

People of Tunisia - Learn about the population, age structure, birth and death rate, sex ratio, nationality, ethnic groups, religions, languages, and literacy in Tunisia

Government and Politics in Tunisia - Profiles the country name, government type, administrative divisions, independence, national holiday, constitution, legal system, suffrage, executive, legislative, and judicial branches, political parties and leaders, and a flag description of Tunisia.

Economy of Tunisia - Study the GDP, growth rate, per capita, inflation, labor, budget, industries, exports, imports, currency, exchange rates, and economy of Tunisia

Communications in Tunisia - Browse statistics on telephones, mobile and cellular lines in use, radio broadcast stations, televisions, internet country code, ISP's, internet users, and facts on communications in Tunisia

Transportation in Tunisia - Offers statistical details on the railways, highways, waterways, ports & harbors, airports, and other facts on transportation in Tunisia

Military of Tunisia - Provides statistics on military branches, army, air force, navy, manpower, military service, expenditure, and facts on military in Tunisia

Transnational Issues of Tunisia - Explore international disputes and transnational issues of Tunisia

1Up Info - Tunisia Political Geography - Encyclopedia resource provides information on the country along with its cities.


 





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