Tunisia is a North African country, situated along the Mediterranean coast, to the southwest of Sicily and south of Sardinia. It stands bordered by Algeria in the west and Libya in the southeast. The northernmost country in Africa, Tunisia boasts of more than thousand miles of coastline (Mediterranean). The landscape of the country varies from cliffs of the north coast to woodlands of the interior, from steep valleys to desert and from soaring mountains to salt pans that are lower than sea level. Around forty percent of Tunisia’s landscape comprises of the Sahara desert, lying to the south of Gafsa and Gabès. Read on to get some more information on Tunisia.
Fun & Interesting Facts about Tunisia
- The official name of Tunisia is the ‘Tunisian Republic’.
- The official language of Tunisia is Arabic, but French is also widely spoken there.
- Majority of the population in Tunisia comprises of Muslims, followed by Christian and Jews.
- Arabs, Europeans and Jews comprise of the main ethnic groups of Tunisia.
- The currency of Tunisia is Tunisian Dinar.
- The capital of Tunisia is Tunis.
- Tunisia follows the system of a Republic.
- Tunisia is the northernmost African country, apart from being the smallest nation situated along the Atlas mountain range.
- The year 1883 saw French Protectorate being established over Tunisia.
- Tunisia gained independence from France on 20th March 1956.
- Till date, Tunisia has had only two presidents - Habib Bourgiba, who ruled from 1956 until 1987, and Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who assumed power in a bloodless coup in 1987.
- Modern day Tunisia is the location of the ancient Phoenician empire, centered on Carthage, its ruins now around 10 km from modern Tunis.
- Tunisia is divided into 24 governates (wilayat), of which Tataouine is the largest and Tunis is the smallest, in terms of area.
- Tunisia is home to a number of archaeological sites, particularly those of Roman origin.
- Tunis is currently the only town in Tunisia to be equipped with a metro ("tube") service, which is more like a tramway.
- The highest point in Tunisia is formed by Jebel ech Chambi (1,544 m).
- The Tunisian oasis at Kebili has been found to be containing evidence of Stone Age settlements.
- Spain occupied Tunisia for a short time, in the middle of the 16th century. The country became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1574.
