Tunisia is the northern most African country and shares borders with Algeria and Libya. To the North the country has a stretch of coastline along the Mediterranean Sea. Its capital city is Tunis and is home to almost three quarters of a million people. The Tunisian population is estimated to be between 10 and 11 million. The capital city was built on the historic site of the City of Carthage, which still draws a significant number of tourists.
Tunisian Climate
The Tunisian climate is generally hot. It has typical Mediterranean climate with hot dry summer and a cool rainy season. The average temperature is about 23 degrees Celsius with significant changes during summer and winter.
Sites to Visit in Tunisia
Tunisia has rich history and as such has many beautiful historic sites to offer tourists. An example is the old walled Islamic city called Tunis Medina built in the 18th century. Another beautiful location is called Sidi bou said, a picturesque whitewashed location that has become something of a writer’s colony. In addition to these, there is the Bardo Museum, the ancient Roman city of Dougga, El Djem an ancient amphitheatre in better shape than the coliseum. There are several other historic attractions not to mention the beautiful beaches and desert oases.
Tunisia’s People and Languages
According to estimates, 98% of the population comprises Arabs with the remaining portion comprising Jews, Europeans and Spanish Moors. Almost all Tunisians speak Arabic; however, due to colonial occupation French is widely spoken and often used in commerce. The country was also briefly occupied by Italy and as such, Italian is spoken in many parts.
Other Facts from Tunisia
The Tunisian currency is the Dinar denoted TND. The Tunisian economy has diverse driver including agriculture, mining, manufacturing and tourism. The country is the leading African producer of Phosphates. Tunisia’s main trading partner is the European Union. Islam is the main religion in Tunisia but the country is among the more liberal North African states and government encourages secularism in most sectors.
