[49] Management by the later Zirid emirs was neglectful though, and political instability was connected to the decline of Tunisian trade and agriculture. [123] United Nations peacekeeping deployments for the Tunisian armed forces have been in Cambodia (UNTAC), Namibia (UNTAG), Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi, Western Sahara (MINURSO) and the 1960s mission in the Congo, ONUC. Today, the cultural identity of Tunisians is the product of a centuries-long historical trajectory, with the Tunisian nation today being a junction of the Amazigh, as well as Punic, Roman, Arab, Andalusian, Turkish, and French cultural and linguistic input. The Bey of Tunis then, by his own lights but informed by the Turkish example, attempted to effect a modernizing reform of institutions and the economy. Expressionist paintings by Amara Debbache, Jellal Ben Abdallah, and Ali Ben Salem are recognized while abstract art captures the imagination of painters like Edgar Naccache, Nello Levy, and Hedi Turki. The region was easily reconquered in 533–534 AD, during the rule of Emperor Justinian I, by the Eastern Romans led by General Belisarius. Infoplease has everything you need to know about Tunisia. Tunisia was the first Mediterranean country to sign an Association Agreement with the European Union, in July 1995, although even before the date of entry came into force, Tunisia started dismantling tariffs on bilateral EU trade. The agricultural sector accounts for 11.6% of the GDP, industry 25.7%, and services 62.8%. Passenger services between Tunisia and Algeria over the Ghardimaou - Sidi El-Hémissi border crossing were due to be reinstated on 14 May 2017. Relevance. The remainder lives on the island of Djerba with 39 synagogues where the Jewish community dates back 2,600 years,[184] in Sfax, and in Hammam-Lif. As for literature in French, it is characterized by its critical approach. [197] Infant mortality in 2016 was 11.7 per 1,000.[198]. [54] The Almohads initially ruled over Tunisia through a governor, usually a near relative of the Caliph. Portugal, officially The Portuguese Republic, is a country in southern Europe, founded in 1143, occupying a total area of 92,212 km 2. In 1910 there were 105,000 Italians in Tunisia.[61]. Majlis Al-Nuwab (Chamber of Deputies)", "49 femmes élues à l'assemblée constituante : 24% des 217 sièges", "Tunisie: Selma Znaidi, une femme de plus à l'Assemblée", "State Sponsored Homophobia 2016: A world survey of sexual orientation laws: criminalisation, protection and recognition", International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, "Two Men Sentenced To 8 Months in Jail For Suspicion of Being Gay", "The Tunisian women locked up for smoking a joint", "It will no longer be legal to rape a woman in Tunisia if you marry her afterwards", "Våld mot kvinnor blir olagligt i Tunisien – Nyheter (Ekot)", "The Global Competitiveness Index 2009–2010 rankings", "HP to open customer service center in Tunisia", "Trouble in paradise: How one vendor unmasked the 'economic miracle, "Tunisia2020 attracts billions in foreign funds", "Democracy hangs in the balance in Tunisia", "A Night, and Day, In Tunisia at a New Resort", "Effort national de maitrise de l'energie : contribution de la steg", "Tunisia : A civil nuclear station of 1000 Megawatt and two sites are selected", Nouvelle version du plan solaire tunisien, "Joint Monitoring Programme for Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation", Etude sur la participation privée dans les infrastructures en Tunisie, "Le Tunisien: une dimension méditerranéenne qu'atteste la génétique", "An outline of the Shilha (Berber) vernacular of Douiret (Southern Tunisia)", http://citypopulation.de/Tunisia-Cities.html, "Studi berberi e mediterranei. Ben Ali and his family were accused of corruption[71] and plundering the country's money. General information about Tunisia Area. Muslims have several cities that they … The Hussein dynasty of Beys, established in 1705, lasted until 1957. ... Telephone calls within Tunisia should be dialled using all eight digits, irrespective of location. Tunisia. [42] This mosque is the oldest and most prestigious sanctuary in the Muslim West with the oldest standing minaret in the world;[43] it is also considered a masterpiece of Islamic art and architecture. [116] According to 2013 survey by the Pew Research Center, 94% of Tunisians believe that homosexuality should not be accepted by society. [119] Also, the law allowing rapists to escape punishment by marrying the victim was abolished. [131], Tourism accounted for 7% of GDP and 370,000 jobs in 2009. In 2010, there were 6,639,000 French-speakers in Tunisia, or about 64% of the population. [79] In 2008, in terms of Press freedom, Tunisia was ranked 143rd out of 173.[80]. Other peoples have also migrated to Tunisia during different periods of time, including West Africans, Greeks, Romans, Phoenicians (Punics), Jews, and French settlers. engr.junaid10. It has an association agreement with the European Union; is a member of La Francophonie, the Union for the Mediterranean, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the Arab Maghreb Union, the Arab League, the OIC, the Greater Arab Free Trade Area, the Community of Sahel–Saharan States, the African Union, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Group of 77; and has obtained the status of major non-NATO ally of the United States. [144], Tunisia had plans for two nuclear power stations, to be operational by 2020. There is a 300 million envelope for the benefit of technically unemployed workers, the first of which, according to the Finance Department's proposal, would be of interest to SMEs, with a view to strengthening the SME support fund, in addition to the implementation of the previous decision to provide a bonus of 3 points of interest. Among the literary figures include Ali Douagi, who has produced more than 150 radio stories, over 500 poems and folk songs and nearly 15 plays,[203] Khraief Bashir, an Arabic novelist who published many notable books in the 1930s and which caused a scandal because the dialogues were written in Tunisian dialect,[203] and others such as Moncef Ghachem, Mohamed Salah Ben Mrad, or Mahmoud Messadi. A Carthaginian invasion of Italy led by Hannibal during the Second Punic War, one of a series of wars with Rome, nearly crippled the rise of Roman power. [155], Amazighs are concentrated in the Dahar mountains and on the island of Djerba in the south-east and in the Khroumire mountainous region in the north-west. [140], Sources of electricity production in Tunisia[141], The majority of the electricity used in Tunisia is produced locally, by state-owned company STEG (Société Tunisienne de l'Electricité et du Gaz). for its policy on recreational drug use, for instance automatic 1-year prison sentences for consuming cannabis. In the last years of the Hafsid dynasty, Spain seized many of the coastal cities, but these were recovered by the Ottoman Empire. In 1869, Tunisia declared itself bankrupt and an international financial commission took control over its economy. The Ennahda Movement, formerly banned under the Ben Ali regime, came out of the election as the largest party, with 89 seats out of a total of 217. Nobel Foundation. General information about Tunisia (Casalanca, Tunis and Sousse) Answer Save. [133], Tunis Sports City is an entire sports city currently being constructed in Tunis, Tunisia. In the 19th century, the rulers of Tunisia became aware of the ongoing efforts at political and social reform in the Ottoman capital. As of 1 January 2017, the population of Tunisia was estimated to be 11,444,409 people. Growth in private sector radio and television broadcasting has seen the creation of numerous operations including Radio Mosaique FM, Jawhara FM, Zaytuna FM, Hannibal TV, Ettounsiya TV, and Nessma TV. Go to my Tunisia Visa page for information on the different types of visas for Tunisia. The ITF Board decided to send a strong message to the Tunisian Tennis Federation that this kind of action will not be tolerated. Comprising 40,000 square kilometers of pristine desert, Tunisia's section of the Grand Erg Oriental is a wonderland of sweeping dunes and hidden oases. From November 1942 until May 1943, Vichy Tunisia was occupied by Nazi Germany. [185] Those who violate the rules of work and eating during the Islamic month of Ramadan may be arrested and jailed. About Tunisia. • Consular Officers can provide some information on other matters that affect Americans overseas or they may be able to refer Americans to the appropriate source of assistance. There was a continuing inflow of nomadic Arab tribes from Arabia. It has also made room for the rise of fundamentalist groups such as the Salafists, who call for a strict interpretation of Sharia law. The national league consists of about 12 teams, with ES. services in the Middle East and North Africa. Much of the southern region is semi-arid and desert. [185], The country has a secular culture where religion is separated from not only political, but in public life. The TV media has long remained under the domination of the Establishment of the Broadcasting Authority Tunisia (ERTT) and its predecessor, the Tunisian Radio and Television, founded in 1957. [52] The Arab historian Ibn Khaldun wrote that the lands ravaged by Banu Hilal invaders had become completely arid desert. Much of the rest of the country's land is fertile soil. It cannot be taken into or out of the country. [148] As of 2015[update], Tunisia had a total renewable capacity of 312 MW (245 MW wind, 62 MW hydropower, 15 MW photovoltaics.)[149][150]. Many Jews consider it a pilgrimage site, with celebrations taking place there once every year due to its age and the legend that the synagogue was built using stones from Solomon's temple. In 1881, using the pretext of a Tunisian incursion into Algeria, the French invaded with an army of about 36,000 and forced the Bey to agree to the terms of the 1881 Treaty of Bardo (Al Qasr as Sa'id). Phoenician immigration began in the 12th century BC; these immigrants founded Carthage. Under the Ottoman Empire, the boundaries of Tunisia contracted; it lost territory to the west (Constantine) and to the east (Tripoli). [154] According to another source the population of Arabs is estimated to be <40%[155] to 98%,[128][156][157] and that of Berbers at 1%[158] to over 60%. [113], After the revolution, a number of Salafist groups emerged and in some occasions have violently repressed artistic expression that is viewed to be hostile to Islam. The remaining 1% is made up by Christians, Jews and Shia Muslims. The city’s medina quarter encompasses the massive Al-Zaytuna Mosque and a thriving souk. With its white domed houses and blue-painted doors, the clifftop town of Sidi Bou Said is Grecian in its beauty. [41], Sometime between the second half of the 7th century and the early part of the 8th century, Arab Muslim conquest occurred in the region. It lies between latitudes 30° and 38°N, and longitudes 7° and 12°E. [145][146] As of 2015[update], Tunisia has abandoned these plans. Miscellanea offerta in onore di Luigi Serra, a cura di A.M. Di Tolla", TUNISIA 2018 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT, "The Last Christians of North-West Africa: Some Lessons For Orthodox Today", International Religious Freedom Report 2007: Tunisia, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, "Believers in Christ from a Muslim Background: A Global Census", "Pilgrims flock to Tunisia's Djerba Jewish festival | Lamine Ghanmi", "4 Tunisians jailed for eating during Ramadan", "The country where people are forced to observe Ramadan", "National adult literacy rates (15+), youth literacy rates (15–24) and elderly literacy rates (65+)", "The Global Competitiveness Report 2008–2009", "Life expectancy at birth, total (years) | Data", "Mortality rate, infant (per 1,000 live births) | Data", "A Tunis, une exposition réveille l'histoire précoloniale du pays", "La littérature tunisienne de langue française (Mémoire vive)". " Northern Tunisia has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. [195], In 2010, spending on healthcare accounted for 3.37% of the country's GDP. Geographically, Tunisia contains the eastern end of the Atlas Mountains, and the northern reaches of the Sahara desert. Paramilitary forces consisted of a 12,000-member national guard. [44], Tunis was taken in 695, re-taken by the Byzantine Eastern Romans in 697, but lost finally in 698. At the beginning of the 20th century, musical activity was dominated by the liturgical repertoire associated with different religious brotherhoods and secular repertoire which consisted of instrumental pieces and songs in different Andalusian forms and styles of origins, essentially borrowing characteristics of musical language. Ennahda's stance on the issue was criticized by hardline Islamists, who wanted strict sharia, but was welcomed by secular parties. [62][63], Tunisia achieved independence from France on 20 March 1956 with Habib Bourguiba as Prime Minister. Since 1993, ONAS has had the status of a main operator for [25][26][27] It has a high human development index. [90] On 12 December 2011, former dissident and veteran human rights activist Moncef Marzouki was elected president. [199] Artists gained international recognition such as Hatem El Mekki or Zoubeir Turki and influenced a generation of new young painters. Persians went to the West and intermarried with the Gaetulians and became the Numidians. [97], Tunisia's climate is Mediterranean in the north, with mild rainy winters and hot, dry summers. Currency: The local currency is the Tunisian Dinar (TND) which is divided in 1000 millimes. [23] As a result, Tunisia is the only country in North Africa classified as "Free" by the Freedom House organization[24] and is also considered by The Economist's Democracy Index as the only fully democratic state in the Arab World (Lebanon and Iraq being confessional democracies). The French colonization of Tunisia occurred in 1881. [143], Oil production began in 1966 in Tunisia. [110], A Code of Personal Status was adopted shortly after independence in 1956, which, among other things, gave women full legal status (allowing them to run and own businesses, have bank accounts, and seek passports under their own authority). The airport is located north of Sousse at Enfidha and is to mainly serve the resorts of Hamammet and Port El Kantaoui, together with inland cities such as Kairouan. After several attempts starting in 647, Muslims conquered the whole of Tunisia by 697 and introduced Islam and arabized the local population. Visit the Embassy's COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Tunisia. It was there in 670 AD that the Mosque of Uqba, or the Great Mosque of Kairouan, was constructed. [185], Djerba, an island in the Gulf of Gabès, is home to El Ghriba synagogue, which is one of the oldest synagogues in the world and the oldest uninterruptedly used. Additional crops included beans, figs, grapes, and other fruits. Football is the most popular sport in Tunisia. Also, some Tunisian Christians emigrated; some richer members of society did so after the conquest in 698 and others were welcomed by Norman rulers to Sicily or Italy in the 11th and 12th centuries – the logical destination because of the 1200 year close connection between the two regions. The exposition boasts documents and artifacts from the Tunisian reformist monarchal rule in mid 19th century. From 1942–1943, Tunisia was the scene of the Tunisia Campaign, a series of battles between the Axis and Allied forces. Planning, design and Thus, the persecution, and murder of the Jews from 1940 to 1943 was part of the Shoah in France. Tunisia is a republic and an independent state since 1956. Tunisia is a unitary semi-presidential representative democratic republic. [105], Rare for the Arab world, women held more than 20% of seats in the country's pre-revolution bicameral parliament. During the Roman period, the area of what is now Tunisia enjoyed a huge development. Education System. General information from Tunisia - Wikipedia Tunisian Republic. [169] Italian is understood and spoken by a small part of the Tunisian population. I offer sea freight from Tunis I provide terminal handling services I provide freight forwarding services [114], Since the revolution, some non-governmental organizations have reconstituted themselves and hundreds of new ones have emerged. Tunisia is a North African country bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara Desert. The higher education system in Tunisia has experienced a rapid expansion and the number of students has more than tripled over the past 10 years from approximately 102,000 in 1995 to 365,000 in 2005. The team won the 2011 Afrobasket and hosted Africa's top basketball event in 1965, 1987 and 2015. General information about Tunisia. [205] In 2006 this figure had increased to 1,500 and 1,700 in 2007. Nevertheless, should they lower their eyes or avoid eye … Arabic literature dates back to the 7th century with the arrival of Arab civilization in the region. French acts as a language of commerce and is spoken by around two thirds of the population, while Berber is the principal language of the south. Government and institution measures in response to COVID-19. An abrupt southward turn of the Mediterranean coast in northern Tunisia gives the country two distinctive Mediterranean coasts, west–east in the north, and north–south in the east. [128] The government has supported a successful family planning program that has reduced the population growth rate to just over 1% per annum, contributing to Tunisia's economic and social stability. Aside from the president, Tunisians enjoy a significant degree of religious freedom, a right enshrined and protected in its constitution, which guarantees the freedom of thoughts, beliefs and to practice one's religion. The country voted for parliament again on 26 October 2014,[22] and for president on 23 November 2014. [142], Oil production of Tunisia is about 97,600 barrels per day (15,520 m3/d). Under its Turkish governors, the Beys, Tunisia attained virtual independence. Built in the 3rd century, this magnificent monument once hosted 35,000 spectators. Shop signs, menus and road signs in Tunisia are generally written in both Arabic and French. Education System . Instead, Tunisia is considering other options to diversify its energy mix, such as renewable energies, coal, shale gas, liquified natural gas and constructing a submarine power interconnection with Italy. CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (, Assembly of the Representatives of the People, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, final Ottoman reconquest of Tunis from Spain, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Nawaat – Interview avec l' Association Tunisienne de Culture Amazighe", "Tunisian Amazigh and the Fight for Recognition – Tunisialive", https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51629627, "Semi-presidential government in Tunisia and Egypt", "National Institute of Statistics-Tunisia", "Portal of the Presidency of the Government- Tunisia: government, administration, civil service, public services, regulations and legislation", Tunisie – France-Diplomatie – Ministère des Affaires étrangères et du Développement international, Pourquoi l'Italie de Matteo Renzi se tourne vers la Tunisie avant l'Europe | JOL Journalism Online Press, "La Tunisie renforce ses relations avec l'Italie", "Tunisie : les législatives fixées au 26 octobre et la présidentielle au 23 novembre", "Tunisia holds first post-revolution presidential poll", "Tunisia | Country report | Freedom in the World | 2020", "Numidians (DBA II/40) and Moors (DBA II/57)", "The City of Carthage: From Dido to the Arab Conquest", "History of Tunisia – Lonely Planet Travel Information", "Populations Crises and Population Cycles, Claire Russell and W.M.S. A decree by the minister of the interior banned the "political police", special forces which were used to intimidate and persecute political activists. Around 1200 they succeeded in extending their rule over the whole of Tunisia until they were crushed by Almohad troops in 1207. Unfortunately, you cannot change TND outside Tunisia. Its coast was settled by Phoenicians starting as early as the 12th century BC (Bizerte, Utica). The official name of Tunisia the Republic of Tunisia. In ancient times, Tunisia was primarily inhabited by Berbers. Tunisia was in 2009 ranked the most competitive economy in Africa and the 40th in the world by the World Economic Forum. [citation needed], The national bibliography lists 1249 non-school books published in 2002 in Tunisia, with 885 titles in Arabic. According to the Roman historian Sallust, the demigod Hercules died in Spain and his polyglot eastern army was left to settle the land, with some migrating to Africa. The present form of the name, with its Latinate suffix -ia, evolved from French Tunisie,[28] in turn generally associated with the Berber root ⵜⵏⵙ, transcribed tns, which means "to lay down" or "encampment". The Tunisian national handball team won the African Cup ten times, being the team dominating this competition. Though it is relatively small in size, Tunisia has great environmental diversity due to its north–south extent. Refers to the Maghreb countries, including Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria and Libya. It was believed in ancient times that Africa was originally populated by Gaetulians and Libyans, both nomadic peoples. Agricultural communities in the humid coastal plains of central Tunisia then were ancestors of today's Berber tribes. The Tunisia national football team, also known as "The Eagles of Carthage," won the 2004 African Cup of Nations (ACN), which was held in Tunisia. The country maintains 19,232 kilometres (11,950 mi) of roads,[128] with three highways: the A1 from Tunis to Sfax (works ongoing for Sfax-Libya), A3 Tunis-Beja (works ongoing Beja – Boussalem, studies ongoing Boussalem – Algeria) and A4 Tunis – Bizerte. general information about Tunisia? The history of the Jews in Tunisia goes back some 2,000 years. The official language of Tunisia is Arabic. He was consistently re-elected with enormous majorities every five years (well over 80 percent of the vote), the last being 25 October 2009,[70] until he fled the country amid popular unrest in January 2011. The government believed the hijab is a "garment of foreign origin having a partisan connotation". Differences in Tunisia, like the rest of the Maghreb, are largely north–south environmental differences defined by sharply decreasing rainfall southward from any point. [115] On 7 December 2016, two Tunisian men were arrested on suspicion of homosexual activity in Sousse. The greatest threat to Almohad rule in Tunisia was the Banu Ghaniya, relatives of the Almoravids, who from their base in Mallorca tried to restore Almoravid rule over the Maghreb. The Tunisia national handball team has participated in several handball world championships. A major mercantile power and a military rival of the Roman Republic, Carthage was defeated by the Romans in 146 BC. Tunisia is characterized by moderate relief. In 2008 it had a GDP of US$41 billion (official exchange rates), or $82 billion (purchasing power parity).[128]. Some independent organizations, such as the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women, the Association of Tunisian Women for Research and Development, and the Bar Association also remain active. [76], Independent human rights groups, such as Amnesty International, Freedom House, and Protection International, documented that basic human and political rights were not respected. [195], While children generally acquire Tunisian Arabic at home, when they enter school at age 6, they are taught to read and write in Standard Arabic. Education and Literacy. In 2014 Tunisian American creative nonfiction scribe and translator Med-Ali Mekki who wrote many books, not for publication but just for his own private reading translated the new Constitution of the Tunisian Republic from Arabic to English for the first time in Tunisian bibliographical history, the book was published worldwide the following year and it was the Internet's most viewed and downloaded Tunisian book. The military has historically played a professional, apolitical role in defending the country from external threats. Until then, ERTT managed all public television stations (Télévision Tunisienne 1 as well as Télévision Tunisienne 2 which had replaced the defunct RTT 2) and four national radio stations (Radio Tunis, Tunisia Radio Culture, Youth and Radio RTCI) and five regional Sfax, Monastir, Gafsa, Le Kef and Tataouine. [160] By 1870 the distinction between the Arabic-speaking mass and the Turkish elite had blurred. Forces, with his German and Italian troops, in the western area of Tunisia.