About Tunisia
The official name of the country is the Tunisian Republic, but the unofficial name comes from the name of the capital, which, in turn, was named after the Phoenician queen Tanit. Previously, Tunisia belonged to the great Roman Empire, and on its territory there were many Berber settlements. The Arabs appeared in the country in the 7th century, and they founded the first Arab city of Kairouan in North Africa, which is recognized as the 4th holy city for Muslims in the world, after Jerusalem, Mecca and Medina. After that, Tunisia was included in the Ottoman Empire, but by the end of the 16th century, the Turkish sultan was the ruler of these lands only formally, in fact, the beys ruled here, who became the founders of the Muradid dynasty in 1612. Tunisia became an independent state in 1705, when the Husseinid dynasty came to power, declaring the Sultan nothing more than the religious leader of the country. And in 1957, the monarchy in Tunisia was completely eradicated.
Geography of Tunisia
According to Extrareference, Tunisia is located in North Africa. In the north and east, the country is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, and in the south there is a border with another large-scale state – Libya. To the west, Tunisia borders on Algeria. The capital of the state is the city of Tunis. The state is divided into 23 vilayets (in our opinion – provinces). The largest cities in the country are Sfax, Bizerte and Sousse. The main territory of the state is covered by the desert.
Capital
Tunisia.
Area
The area of the country is 163,610 km².
Population
About 9705 thousand people live in Tunisia.
Currency
The official currency is the Tunisian dinar, equal to 1000 millimes.
Language
Arabic has been the official language in Tunisia for centuries.
Visa
Free visa on arrival
Climate of Tunisia
In general, the climate in Tunisia is quite expected in relation to its Mediterranean location, for the most part it is desert and subtropical. In January, the average air temperature in the north of the Tunisian Republic is within +9°C, and in July – around +16°C. In the South it is warmer by about 0.5 times. As in most countries of North Africa, the rainiest months of the year are March and April, it is at this time that the so-called rainy season takes place in Africa. The hottest time in the country is in July and August. The flora of the coastal regions of the Tunisian Republic is very similar to that of South Europe. The northern regions of the state are decorated with forests of pine, juniper and cork oak thickets. The southern regions of the country, 40% of which is occupied by the Sahara desert, are decorated only with desert vegetation, and date palms can be found in oases.
Transport
Buses in this country do not have a fixed route, the windshield usually indicates the bus number and destination in Arabic. Tourists should not use buses. Intercity buses are yellow-green and usually run at night during the summer. The road transport network of Tunisia is developed at the highest level, the rules of the road here are European. Movement in the country is right-handed. In the cities of the Tunisian Republic, the maximum speed is 50 km / h, and on highways – 110 km / h. The condition of the road surface is excellent, especially in the northern part of the state, and gasoline is quite cheap. According to the rules, when passing a police post, you need to slow down or even make a stop so that the policeman can check the documents. Traveling in the Sahara desert without a specialized permit is strictly prohibited.
Currency exchange in Tunisia
1 Tunisian dinar is approximately equal to 1 US dollar. It is best to change money right at the airport, or at banks and hotels in the country. Exchange everywhere is made at a fixed rate set by the national bank of the country. Banks in Tunisia are open from 7.30 to 11.00 (from July to September) and from 8.00 to 11.00 from 14.00 to 16.30 (from October to June). Credit cards are accepted in many hotels and shops in the country. ATMs are also easy to find.
Electricity
In Tunisia, the mains voltage is 240 V, 50 Hz.
Religion in Tunisia
The state religion of the Republic of Tunisia is Sunni Islam, Muslims in the country are about 98%.
Security
In general, Tunisia is a rather calm country. The president holds his country in an iron fist, making Tunisia the lowest crime rate among African countries. The inhabitants of the state themselves are quite friendly and welcoming, so at night you can walk here without fear. After gaining independence, Tunisians retained the progressive thinking that the French gave them, many of the country’s inhabitants still speak French perfectly. There is no poverty in the state either. Puritan strictness in this country does not apply to tourists, for the beach “topless” is the norm. But petty theft is quite likely here, so be careful in crowded places so as not to be left without a wallet.
Health
In terms of health, Tunisia is a safe country, so you should not be afraid, but some vaccinations are still better to be given, for example, the dengue fever vaccine. Particularly common in Tunisia is a kind of thalassotherapy, thanks to which local women look just great. There are thalasso centers in every hotel, without exception, and a special guarantee is issued for all procedures. By the way, the kilograms and years shed here do not return to their place upon returning home. The list of thalassotherapy also includes magical algae wraps. All treatments are good for the skin and are based on sea water from the Mediterranean. Massage is done using almond or jasmine oil.
