Situated between Algeria and Libya, Tunisia is a destination that offers a Mediterranean haven for tourists from sun-starved countries such as the United Kingdom. Indeed, with more than 800 miles of shoreline Tunisian beaches attracted almost seven million visitors in 2007. The country is a blend of ancient and recent history, with sites like Carthage demonstrating the extent of the Roman Empire, and the European inspired architecture pointing to Tunisia's not too distant colonial past. Here is more information about Tunisia.
Short Historical Summary of Tunisia
Tunisia was settled by the Phoenicians in the ninth century BC. They founded the city of Carthage and used it as a trading port until they entered into a losing conflict with the Romans during the Punic Wars. The long parade of subsequent invaders consisted of Vandals, an East Germanic tribe with a bloody reputation, the Byzantines, Muslim Arabs, the Spanish and the Ottoman Turks. Finally, the French arrived in Tunisia and established the country as a protectorate in 1881.
Tunisia was the only Arab country to come under direct German occupation in World War II. They were forced to retreat by the Allies in 1943. In 1956, Tunisia gained full independence.
Places to See in Tunisia
Tunis is the capital city and the biggest attraction is the Bardo Museum. It's filled with impressive ancient mosaics covering the Punic, Roman, Christian and early Islamic periods of Tunisian history. For an authentic North African experience, haggle over brassware, copper, pottery and spices in the medina, or old quarter.
Matmata, with its unearthly landscape and underground cave dwellings, was the filming location for the original Star Wars film. The Berber people dug their homes in the ground to escape the intense heat, and constructed tunnels between some of the courtyards to build a labyrinth. The Hotel Sidi Driss was the canteen in the movie and it can accommodate visitors who would like to see leftovers from the Star Wars set. A daily bus service runs from Tunis to Matmata, via the towns of Sfax and Sousse.
Other places worth a look include Kairouan for its mosques and carpets, and Tabarka for its beaches. El Jem has an impressive Roman amphitheater.
Food and Drinks
Tunisian cuisine is surprisingly pungent, due to the liberal uses of such ingredients as cardamom, cumin, fennel and harissa, a hot red pepper sauce. Dishes feature elements of Mediterranean and North African cooking. The staple dish is couscous, which the Berbers have been eating since antiquity.
Here are some signature dishes:
- Brik - Puff pastries with lamb, eggs and vegetables.
- Tajine - It's not the same as what's found in nearby Morocco. The Tunisian tajine resembles a frittata.
- Merguez - These are red, spicy sausages.
Tunisia's favored beverage is mint tea served with lots of pine kernels. Unlike other countries in the Arab world, beer and spirits are widely available in Tunisia. The country produces several wines and fruit brandies.
Weather in Tunisia
Tunisia consists of two regional climactic belts. One is the Mediterranean; the other is the Saharan. The summer season in the north, from May to September, is hot and dry. October to April is milder with lots of rainfall. Going south, summer temperatures can top 40°C.
Money/Electric Power/Public Holidays
The Tunisian dinar is divided into 1000 millimes. Electric power is 230V running at 50 Hz and sockets take type "C" and type "E" plugs. The former has two round pins, and the latter has two round pins placed 19 mm apart with a hole for the socket's male grounding pin. Public holidays include New Year's Day on January 1, Independence Day on March 20 and Labor Day on May 1.
Scott Hayden - Since joining Suite101 in early 2007, I've contributed articles about travel, history and health. My speciality is writing about workplace ...
Join the Conversation