51 Tunisia Facts: Know About The Northern Most Country In Africa
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Ethnic groups in Tunisia are 98% Arabs, 1% Europeans, and 1% are Jewish and other groups.
The most popular sport in Tunisia is football. Hiking, running, and water sports like windsurfing and swimming at the coastal resorts are also quite famous.
Did you know that Tunisia is located in North Africa? It's the northernmost country of the continent and has a rich history that dates back to ancient times.
Many 'Star Wars' scenes were filmed in Tunisia. In this article, we will discuss some facts about Tunisia! These Tunisia facts will give you a better understanding of the country and its people.
History
Tunisia has a long and rich history dating back to ancient times. The Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Ottomans, and French all ruled over the country at different points in its history. This diverse range of influences has resulted in a unique culture evident in everything from architecture to food.
Around 5,000 BC, farming methods from Fertile Crescent reached the Nile Valley and spread across Northwest Africa or Maghreb around 4,000 BC.
When history started to get recorded, Berber tribes occupied Tunisia
The name Tunisia is occasionally associated with Tanith, the Punic goddess of the ancient city of Tynes.
Stone age materials found in the country date back to around 200,000 years, hinting at the early settlements of humans in this region. A town called Kebili held the evidence of stone-age humans.
Phoenicians settled in Tunisia in the 11th century BC.
The Carthaginians took control of the country in the third century BC.
Rome conquered Tunisia in 146 BC, and it became a province of the Roman Empire.
After the collapse of Rome, Tunisia came under Byzantine rule.
In 698 AD, Arabs from Syria invaded and conquered Tunisia. Tunisia became an independent kingdom in 1881.
Tunisia was a part of the Ottoman Empire from 1574 until 1881, when it became a French protectorate. Tunisia gained independence from France in 1956.
Southern Tunisia was covered in savannah and forest, unlike today's desert. About 8,000 years ago, when the last Ice Age ended, Sahara spread across this area.
Habib Bourguiba led Tunisia for three decades after the country received independence. He also brought secular ideas to the country.
This country has had only five presidents until today since its independence.
Geography And Tourism
Tunisia is located on the Mediterranean Sea and borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Tunisia is home to some beautiful beaches and ancient ruins.
The country has a total area of 63170 sq. mi (163,610 sq. km) and is about the size of Maryland in the United States.
The ancient city of Carthage in Tunisia, located on the Gulf of Tunis, was discovered in the ninth century BC. This site is listed in UNESCO, and it was the hub of the great trading empire that covered most parts of the Mediterranea.
Roman site of Dougga's ancient ruins is noted to be the best case of well-preserved remains of North Africa's Africa-Roman town. It has also been known as an 'exceedingly magnificent Roman site in Africa.'
The town Kairouan in the country is famous for housing the Mosque of Uqba, the Great mosque. This is the oldest mosque in Northwest Africa.
The country experiences very little rainfall each year. The average temperature in Tunisia is 64.4 F (18 C). The average yearly temperature is 79 F (26 C).
The coastline of this country is about 497 mi (800 km) long.
There is also a high level of variability in weather conditions from year to year. Cyclones can occur on the coast, while dust storms are common in the interior regions.
The Sahara desert covers most parts of North Africa that including Southern Tunisia. The 'field of sand dunes' or large erg, Grand Erg Oriental, is located in central Tunisia.
Tunisia has a temperate climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
Tunisian cuisine is very similar to other Mediterranean cuisines and includes dishes such as couscous, tajines, and kebabs.
Some of the other major cities in Tunisia include Sousse, Sfax, and Gabès. These cities are all located on the coast and have populations ranging between 100,000-300,000 people each.
The famous El Djem Amphitheater, one of the world's largest Amphitheaters, was constructed when Tunisia was still a part of the Roman empire.
Jebel eh Chambi is the highest mountain of Tunisia, reaching 5,066 ft (1,544 m) above sea level.
Politics And Government
Since its independence in 1956, Tunisia has been a republic with a president and parliament. The president is the head of state, and the prime minister is the head of government. The former president, Beji Caid Essebsi, was elected in 2014. He was the first democratically elected president in Tunisia's history.
In the Arab world, Tunisia was considered the only democratic state between 2014 and 2020, as per the Democracy Index of the Economist Intelligence Unit.
Tunisia has a secular government, which means that religion and state are separate. This is different from many other North African countries, where Islam is the official religion.
Kais Saied is the current president of this country. He was elected in October 2019.
Women have made great strides since Tunisia's independence in 1956.
In 1956, women were not allowed to vote or hold public office. Today, women make up over one-third of parliamentarians and hold important cabinet positions such as minister of defense and foreign affairs.
The country's current prime minister is Najila Bouden, the first female prime minister in the Arab world and Tunisia. She was elected in October 2021.
Tunisia is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
In 1995, Tunisia signed an Association Agreement with European Union, France, and United States, with which the country has close relations.
In 2020, the Economist Intelligence Unit rated the country as a 'flawed democracy,' which placed it in the same category as France and the United States.
The country's military has no role in the country's politics and is neutral.
This country's legal system is based on the French civil law system.
Private televisions and five private stations, like Sherms FM and Express FM, have been set up.
Economy
Tunisia has a mixed economy based on agriculture, industry, textiles, and tourism. Industry accounts for about one-third of the GDP, with some significant sectors including textiles, mining, food processing, and petroleum refining.
Mining petroleum, zinc, iron ore, phosphates also significantly contribute to the economy of Tunisia.
Tourism is the country's primary source of income. There are many ancient ruins in Tunisia that attract tourists from all over the world. Tourism accounts for around 15% of Tunisia's GDP.
The main crops are olives, grapes, wheat, barley, and citrus fruits. Oil production accounts for about 25% of GDP.
Tunisia has a large fishing and automotive industry. The main exports are textiles, clothing, agricultural products, and oil.
Tunisia's forests are made up mostly of cork oak trees. These trees are harvested for their bark which is used to make wine.
Tunisia has a very high unemployment rate (about 17%), and youth unemployment is incredibly high (close to 40%).
Poverty is also widespread, with about one-third of the population living below the poverty line. While the government has been working to improve the country's economy, much work still needs to be done to reduce poverty levels.
According to the World Bank, about 15% of Tunisians live below the national poverty line. However, this figure is likely higher when considering those who are struggling but not considered officially poor.
Despite its challenges, Tunisia has made significant progress in recent years and is working towards becoming a middle-income country.
In 2018, it was estimated that nearly 12 million tourists visited Tunisia. This number has been increasing steadily in recent years due to its beautiful beaches and rich history.
Tunis is the capital of Tunisia, and it boasts a long list of must-see historical sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site named Medina of Tunis.
The country ranks in 92nd place in the Global Competitiveness Report of the World Economic Forum as of the 2015-2016 result.
Tunisia is a fascinating country with a rich culture and history. It's definitely worth visiting if you're interested in learning more about North Africa and the Arab world.
FAQs
Q: Why is Tunisia still poor?
A: Several factors contribute to Tunisia's poverty, including its political instability, lack of infrastructure development, and high unemployment rate. Additionally, Tunisia has a large trade deficit and relies heavily on foreign aid.
Q: Where is Tunisia located?
A: Tunisia is located in North Africa, on the Mediterranean Sea. It shares borders with Algeria to the west and Libya to the southeast. Tunisia has a coastline of about 777 mi (1250 km). The capital of Tunisia is Tunis, which is located on the country's northeast coast. Other major cities include Sousse, Sfax, and Gabès.
Q: What language do they speak in Tunisia?
A: The official language of Tunisia is Arabic. However, French is also widely spoken due to the country's colonial history. In addition, Tunisian Arabic and Berber are both languages that are commonly used.
Q: What is the capital city of Tunisia?
A: The capital city of Tunisia is Tunis. It is located on the country's northeast coast and has a population of about 670,000 people.
Q: What language is spoken in Tunisia?
A: The official language of Tunisia is Arabic.
Q: What continent is Tunisia in?
A: Tunisia is located in North Africa, on the Mediterranean Sea. It shares borders with Algeria to the west and Libya to the southeast.
Q: When did Tunisia gain independence?
A: Tunisia gained independence from France on March 20, 1956.
Q: What is the population of Tunisia?
A: As of 2019, Tunisia's population was estimated at 11 million people.
Q: What is Tunisia known for?
A: Tunisia is known for its beautiful beaches, rich history, and friendly people. It is also a popular tourist destination due to its relatively low cost of living and proximity to Europe.
Q: What is the currency of Tunisia?
A: The currency of Tunisia is the Tunisian Dinar (TND). One TND is divided into 1000 millimes. One US dollar was equivalent to about 2,904 Tunisian dinars.
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Bachelor of Engineering specializing in Aeronautical/Aerospace Technology, Master of Business Administration specializing in Management
Arpitha RajendraBachelor of Engineering specializing in Aeronautical/Aerospace Technology, Master of Business Administration specializing in Management
With a background in Aeronautical Engineering and practical experience in various technical areas, Arpitha is a valuable member of the Kidadl content writing team. She did her Bachelor's degree in Engineering, specializing in Aeronautical Engineering, at Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology in 2020. Arpitha has honed her skills through her work with leading companies in Bangalore, where she contributed to several noteworthy projects, including the development of high-performance aircraft using morphing technology and the analysis of crack propagation using Abaqus XFEM.
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