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| Location: | North Africa. |
| Area: | 163,610 sq km (63,170 sq miles). |
| Population: | 10.4 million (official estimate 2008). |
| Population Density: | 62 per sq km. |
| Capital: | Tunis.
Population: 2 million (2004 census). |
| Government: | Republic since 1959. Gained independence from France in 1956. |
| Geography: | The Republic of Tunisia lies on the Mediterranean coast of Africa, 130km (80 miles) southwest of Sicily and 160km (100 miles) due south of Sardinia. It is bordered by Algeria to the west and Libya to the southeast. The landscape varies from the cliffs of the north coast to the woodlands of the interior, from deep valleys of rich arable land to desert, and from towering mountains to salt pans lower than sea level. South of Gafsa and Gabès is the Sahara desert. The 1,100km (700 miles) of coastline is dotted with small islands, notably Jerba in the south and Kerkennah in the east, and from the northwest to the southeast the coastline is backed successively by pine-clad hills, lush pasture, orchards, vineyards and olive groves. |
| Language: | The official language is Arabic. French is the second language, English, German and Italian are spoken mainly in tourist resorts. |
| Religion: | The principal religion is Islam; there are small Roman Catholic, Protestant and Jewish minorities. |
| Time: | GMT + 1. |
| Social Conventions: | Arabic in culture and tradition, Tunisia is nevertheless one of the more liberal and tolerant Muslim countries: women choose whether or not to wear the headscarf - Habib Bourguiba, the country’s first president, was opposed to women wearing the veil, calling it an ‘odious rag’. The Tunisians’ varied origins are shown in the country’s architecture, crafts, music and food. Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting. Hospitality is important and a small gift in appreciation of hospitality or as a token of friendship is always well-received. Dress can be informal but it is appreciated by locals if visitors dress with decorum and avoid wearing skimpy clothing, especially outside the main resorts. Visitors should respect the conventions of Islam when visiting religious monuments (shoulders and knees must be covered). |
| Electricity: | 220/110 volts AC, 50Hz. Electric plugs have two round pins (as in continental Europe). |
| Head of Government: | Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi since 1999. |
| Head of State: | President Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali since 1987. |
| Recent History: | Celebrating 50 years of independence from France in 2006, Tunisia has so far had only two presidents. Habib Bourgiba, who set the country on a secular course, ruled from 1956 until 1987, when the incumbent Zine El Abidine Ben Ali assumed power in a bloodless coup. A fourth presidential term was forbidden by the constitution but a referendum in 2002 allowed Ali to stand for up to another two terms, and he won again in 2004 (with 94.5% of the vote). The main opposition party had withdrawn in protest, stating that their participation would only serve to legitimise a rigged election. |
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| Telephone: | Country code: 216. Automatic dialling extends to almost every part of the country and covers direct international calls. |
| Mobile Telephone: | Roaming agreements with international mobile phone companies exist. You can buy a local SIM card at Tunisie Telecom offices if you provide appropriate identification. |
| Internet: | E-mail can be accessed from Internet cafes in most towns and all resorts. |
| Media: | The government retains a tight hold on local broadcasting and the press, despite freedom of information being enshrined in the constitution. The internet is monitored. Journalists and media who challenge the government are discouraged through bureaucratic pressure and harassment and, at worst, imprisonment. |
| Post: | Airmail to Europe takes three to five days; an express service guarantees delivery in four days or under.
Post office hours: Mon-Sat 0730-1300, 1700-1900, Sun 0900-1100 (summer); Mon-Sat 0800-1800, 0900-1100 Sun (winter); Mon-Thur 0830-1430, Fri-Sat 0830-1430 and 0830-1330 (during Ramadan). |
| Press: |  Daily newspapers are printed in Arabic or French.
The most popular Arabic newspapers are As-Sabah and Al-Horria.
French newspapers include Le Quotidien, Nouvelles de Tunisie, La Presse de Tunisie and Le Temps. |
| Radio: | Tunisian Radio is state run.
Radio Mosaique was Tunisia’s first privately run station.
Radio Jawhara is also private. |
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Below are Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.
2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
10 Jan Hegire (Islamic New Year).
20 Mar Independence Day.
20 Mar Mouled (Prophet’s Anniversary).
21 Mar Youth Day.
9 Apr Martyrs’ Day.
1 May Labour Day.
25 Jul Republic Day.
13 Aug Women’s Day.
2 Oct Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
7 Nov New Era Day.
9 Dec Eid al-Idha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
29 Dec Hegire (Islamic New Year).
2009
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
10 Jan Hegire (Islamic New Year).
9 Mar Mouled (Prophet’s Birthday).
20 Mar Independence Day.
21 Mar Youth Day.
9 Apr Martyrs’ Day.
1 May Labour Day.
25 Jul Republic Day.
13 Aug Women’s Day.
20 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
7 Nov New Era Day.
27 Nov Eid al-Idha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
29 Dec Hegire (Islamic New Year).
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| Note: | Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Idha may last for two days. |
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| Currency: | Tunisian Dinar (TND) = 1,000 millimes. Notes are in denominations of TND30, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of TND5 and 1, and 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 millimes. |
| Currency Exchange: | All banks change money. They may require your receipt for traveller's cheques and will want to see your passport. Post offices change cash only. |
| Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs: | Credit cards (mainly MasterCard and Visa) are accepted in a few places in major resorts and towns. American Express and Diners Club are accepted in few places in tourist areas. There are ATMs in most towns and every tourist resort. |
| Traveller's Cheques: | Readily cashed in banks and the usual authorised establishments; the most convenient currencies are Euros or US Dollars. |
| Currency Restrictions: | Restrictions apply. |
| Banking Hours: | Mon-Fri 0800-1600 (winter); Mon-Fri 0730-1300 (summer). |
| Exchange Rate Indicators: |
| Date |
Oct 08 |
| £1.00= |
TND2.27 |
| $1.00= |
TND1.28 |
| €1.00= |
TND1.76 |
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