Tunisia is a North African country. Integrating the Maghreb region, it covers an area of 163 610 km2. Bathed by the Mediterranean Sea, to the north and east, it borders Algeria to the west and Libya to the southeast. The main cities are Tunis, the capital, with 704 700 residents (2004), Sfax (271 000 residents), Aryanah (211 000 residents), Ettadhamen (192 100 residents) and Susah (155 200 residents).
The mountains of the northern region, which are part of the great Atlas chain, occupy one third of the total area of Tunisia. They are part of a mountain range known as Tell (to the north) and Alto Tell to the south. The highest point is Mount Ashsha Nabí at 1544 m and is located close to Algeria. The central region consists of plateaus. Further south there are a series of shallow lakes and some desert areas that fall into the Sahara.
Climate
The climate is temperate Mediterranean in the North and on the coast, becoming progressively more arid in the southern areas.
Economy
Using artisanal methods of collecting water, it is possible to cultivate oases in this area of Tunisia. The only river that remains over time is the Majardah River, which produces electricity and serves local agriculture. The main mineral is phosphate, with one of the largest reserves in Africa. This country also has oil and natural gas. Tourism, based on the attraction of long beaches, ancient Roman ruins and Islamic buildings, is one of Tunisia’s main recipes. Oil, produced in the Sahara, close to the border with Algeria, and phosphates also generate important recipes, and these three recipes overlapped the traditional agricultural economy. Tunisia’s main trading partners are France, Italy and Germany.
Environmental indicator: the value of carbon dioxide emissions, per capita (metric tons, 1999), is 1.8.
Population
The Tunisian population, consisting of Arabs and Berbers, was, in 2006, 10,175,014 residents, which corresponds to a population density of 61.58 residents/km2. The birth and death rates are respectively 15.52% and 5.13%. Average life expectancy is 75.12 years. The value of the Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.740 and the value of the Gender-adjusted Development Index (IDG) is 0.727 (2001). It is estimated that, in 2025, the population will be 12 028 000 residents. The Tunisian population is made up mostly of Arabs (98%), with Berbers representing only 1.2%. The dominant religion is Sunni Islam (99%). The official language is French.
History
Carthage was founded in the 8th century a. And was located where today is the capital of Tunisia (Tunis); in the sixth century the Carthaginian kingdom surrounded the territory that belongs to present-day Tunisia. Carthage became part of African Rome from 146 a. Until the 7th century d. C. during the Arab invasions. Tunisia went through several conflicts until 1574 when it was conquered by the Ottomans. This country belonged to the Ottoman Empire until its decline in the 19th century. At this time, Tunisia was the target of the interests of France, England and Italy. In 1881, he became a French protectorate, but he gained some participation in political life and, after the Second World War, independence movements emerged. In 1956 France granted Tunisia autonomy, the republic was proclaimed and the power of kings, traditional Tunisian sovereigns, was abolished. For Tunisia democracy and rights, please check getzipcodes.
Countryaah.com: Offers a full list of airports in the country of Tunisia, sorted by city location and acronyms.
Abbreviationfinder.org: Provides most commonly used abbreviations and initials containing the country name of Tunisia. Listed by popularity.
1UpTravel.com – Maps of Tunisia
Check out the shaded relief and political maps of this Northern African country, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya. View a city map of Tunis.
