Brief information
Small Tunisia is a real African pearl on the Mediterranean coast. Even the ancient Romans appreciated all the charms of this country, and therefore tried to capture it. Tunisia has a lot of historical sights and beautiful Mediterranean beaches.
Geography of Tunisia
Tunisia is located in North Africa. In the west, Tunisia borders on Libya, in the southeast – on Libya. In the north and east, the country is washed by the Mediterranean Sea. The total area of this state is 163,610 sq. km., and the total length of the state border is 1,424 km.
In the north and northwest of Tunisia, there is the Atlas mountain system stretching from the border with Algeria, in the center – part of the Sahara desert, in the east – the El Hamra desert. In the southwest of the country, tourists will also see the desert. Only about 4% of the territory of Tunisia is occupied by forests and reserves. The highest local peak is Mount Jebel Shambi, whose height reaches 1,544 meters.
Tunisia has deposits of oil, phosphates, iron ore, zinc, lead and salt. Approximately 20% of the country’s territory is pasture.
Capital of Tunisia
According to allpubliclibraries.com, Tunis is the capital of Tunisia. The population of this city is now more than 1.3 million people. Archaeologists claim that human settlements on the site of the modern city of Tunis are already in the early Middle Ages.
Official language
The official language is Arabic.
Religion
About 98% of the inhabitants are Muslims.
State structure of Tunisia
According to cancermatters.net, Tunisia is a presidential republic. Its head is the President. The head of government is the Prime Minister.
The bicameral Tunisian Parliament is called the National Constituent Assembly, it consists of the Chamber of Deputies (214 members) and the Chamber of Councilors (112 members).
The main political parties are the Islamist An-Nahda (Revival) party, the People’s Petition for Freedom, Justice and Development, and the Congress for the Republic.
Administratively, the country is divided into 24 provinces (vilayets), which in turn are divided into 264 districts. Each province is headed by a governor.
Climate and weather
The climate in the north of Tunisia, where, in fact, tourists come, is typically Mediterranean. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are mild and rainy.
The best time to visit Tunisia is from June to August. However, spring and autumn in this North African country has its advantages. For example, this is the best time to visit the desert regions of Tunisia (in the south and in the center of the country). December-February is considered the low season in Tunisia. When hotel prices go down. Rain is possible during this period.
Sea off Tunisia
In the north and east, the country is washed by the Mediterranean Sea. The length of the coastline is 1,148 km. The average water temperature near the coast in January-March is +16C, and in July-September – +25C.
Rivers and lakes
The Mejerda River flows through the territory of Tunisia, which originates in Algiers. Its length is almost 460 kilometers. It is the largest river in Tunisia.
Culture of Tunisia
The culture of Tunisia was formed under the influence of the Phoenicians, Romans, nomadic tribes of the Vandals, Byzantines, Arabs, Turks, Spaniards and French. All of them left their mark in the history of this country. All this heritage is reflected in Tunisian literature, art, cinema, architecture, music. By the way, Andalusian and Ottoman influences are especially noticeable in music.
The Tunisian government is trying to maintain the traditions of its people by organizing various festivals of music, poetry and folklore.
In Tunisia, a large number of various festivals are held annually. The most popular of them are the Xar Festival in Tatavin, the Rose Festival in Ariana, the Spring Festival and the Coral Festival in Tabarka, the Carthage Festival and the Medina Festival in Tunis, the D’0ssu Festival in Sousse, and the Oasis Festival in Tozeur.
Kitchen
Tunisian cuisine is a synthesis of the culinary traditions of the Arabs, the French, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Local dishes are prepared with olive oil, anise, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, saffron. Mint, orange, or rose water are often added to dishes for flavor. Many dishes are served with harissa, a thick, paste-like hot sauce, as well as chili and garlic seasoning.
On the coast you will find a large number of fish and seafood dishes, and in the Sahara – Berber dishes. In all regions of Tunisia, couscous dishes are popular, as well as dishes from fried marten and fried lamb. The inhabitants of this country are very fond of salads, which are eaten all year round (they are quite simple to prepare).
About desserts in Tunisia is not very good. But there are many different Arabic sweets, which, as a rule, add nuts, and then they are poured over with honey or syrup.
We recommend trying the following dishes: “Couscous” (semolina and wheat flour with meat or fish sauce), “Harissa” (spicy sauce), “Salade Mechouia” (salad of fried vegetables), “Tajine” (spicy quiche, which is served cold), “Brik” (Tunisian version of the Turkish “borek)”, “Merguez” (very spicy beef sausage), “Filfil mahshi” (stuffed peppers with harissa sauce), “Lablabi” (chickpea soup with garlic), “Marqa” (stew with vegetables), “Ojja” (spicy Tunisian scrambled eggs, made with tomatoes, peppers, and sometimes meat).
Traditional soft drinks are Thé à la menthe (mint tea, often served with pine nuts), Ahwa arbi (Arabic coffee).
Traditional alcoholic drinks – “Boukha” (“Bukha” – fig vodka), “Thibarine” (liquor infused with herbs).
Sights of Tunisia
There are still many sights left in Tunisia from the time of Carthage. In the city of Tunis are the ruins of the ancient city of Carthage, which once nearly conquered the Roman Empire.
In the valley of the Mejerda River, 105 km southwest of the city of Tunis, there are the Roman ruins of the ancient Roman city of Duga, in which you can see a theater for 3.5 thousand seats, the sanctuary of Juno Celeste, ancient Roman baths, the mausoleum of Ateban, the temple of Saturn, the arch of Alexander the North, Square of the Winds, as well as the House of Dionysus.
About 40 km from Tunisia is the city of Zigvan, where tourists will see the ruins of the temple of Water, ancient Roman baths, the temple of Mercury, as well as the Forum and the Capitol.
On the island of Djerba, we recommend visiting one of the most ancient synagogues in the world of Mushroom, located in Riyadh, which was founded in the 6th century. BC e., as well as the fort of Borj el-Kebir, the mausoleum of Sidi Zitouni and the mosques of Jamaa el-Gorba and Jamaa Etruk.
Cities and resorts
The largest cities are Tunis, Sfax, Gabes, Ariana, Sousse and Bizerte.
Tunisia is famous all over the world for its magnificent beach resorts. These are, first of all, Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia, Port El Kantaoui, Hammamet and Yasmine-Hammamet. Most of the hotels are located on the coast and have their own beaches. By the way, the beaches in Tunisia are magnificent with white sand. The best beaches, according to most experts, are in Mahdia and Sousse (because of the great sand).
Almost every Tunisian beach resort has a well-developed recreation infrastructure with numerous shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
Souvenirs/Shopping
Tourists in Tunisia buy handicrafts, shoes, leather bags, belts, copper trays, bird cages, carpets, jewelry, Tunisian fezzes (traditional oriental red hats), national clothes, perfume extracts, henna and much more.
Office Hours
Banks:
Mon-Fri: 08:00-16:00 (winter), 07:00-11:30 (summer)
The shops:
Mon-Sat: 08:00-12:00 and 16:00-20:00 (summer), 09:00-13:00 and 15:00-19:00 (winter)
Visa
Tourists do not need a visa to visit Tunisia, but individuals need a visa.
Currency of Tunisia
The Tunisian dinar is the official currency in Tunisia. Its international designation is TND. One Tunisian dinar = 1,000 millimes. Credit cards and travelers checks are widely accepted.
Customs restrictions
Foreign currency can be imported without restrictions. Local currency cannot be imported. Foreign currency can be taken out no more than the amount that was imported. It is forbidden to export local currency.
It is forbidden to import pornographic materials, medical preparations (with the exception of medicines for personal use, but for this you need to have a certificate from a doctor), drugs, rare animals, counterfeit goods, objects of history and culture, henna, palm trees and palm products, explosive materials.
To import animals into the country, a certificate from the veterinary service is required that they do not have contagious diseases. For cats and dogs, an additional rabies vaccination certificate is not required.
When buying carpets and jewelry in Tunisia, we recommend that you keep receipts – you will need them at customs when you leave the country.
Useful phone numbers and addresses
Consulate of Tunisia in Ukraine:
Index: 03069, Kiev, st. Nechuya-Levitsky, 38A
T: (044) 493-14-97
Email. mail: [email protected]
Embassy of Ukraine in Tunisia:
Tunusie, 1002, Tunis,
Notre Dame, Saint Fulgence, 7
Tel.: (10-21671) 845861, (10-21671)
845895 mail: [email protected]
Emergency numbers
190 – Ambulance
197 – Police
198 – Fire brigade
Time
Behind Kyiv for 1 hour. Those. if, for example, in Kyiv 13:00, then in the city of Tunisia – 12:00.
Tips
Tipping in Tunisia is welcome, but there are no specific standards. It all depends on the quality of service.
The medicine
It is recommended that tourists before traveling to Tunisia be vaccinated against yellow fever, diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, polio, tuberculosis, tetanus and typhoid.
Security
The crime rate in Tunisia is quite high. It is not a very safe country to travel. Before you go to Tunisia, ask about the political situation there.
Most often, foreigners become victims of petty thieves (in tourist areas and in bazaars). Therefore, we recommend that you be careful not to advertise your wealth and not show jewelry, etc.
