Flag of Tunisia

Flag of Tunisia

Republic of Tunisia

Facts

  • Population » 11.7 million (2020)
  • Languages » Arabic (official), French is widely spoken
  • Religion » Islam
  • Life expectancy » 74 years (men), 78 years (women)
  • Time zone » GMT + 1
  • National holiday » 20 March (Independence, 1956)
  • Currency » Tunisian Dinar (TND)
  • Communications »
    • Phone Country code » 216 + 8 figure number
    • 197 Tourist Police
    • 190 Medical Emergency

Geography

  • Area » 164,150 sq km (63,378 sq miles)
  • At the centre of North Africa, Tunisia is bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the north and Sahara Desert to the south. It shares land borders with Algeria and Libya.
  • The Atlas Mountains divide the country into two regions, the well-watered north and the semi-arid south.
    • The northern region, which contains the Kroumirie Forest, Bizerte, and the Medjerda River Valley, is further divided into three subregions: the northwest, with extensive cork forests; the north central, with its fertile grasslands, and the northeast from Tunis to Cap Bon, noted for its livestock, citrus fruits and garden produce.
    • The southern regions contains a central plateau and a desert area in the extreme south, which merges into the Sahara and is characterised by the date palm oases and saline lakes.
    • The Medjerda Mountains, which run from Kroumirie to Bizerte, and the Tébessa Mountains (or Massif Meridional), in the southern region, are the two most important mountain ranges. The Medjerda, the most important river system, rises in Algeria and drains into the Gulf of Tunis.

Elevation

  • Highest point » Djebel Chambi (Jebel ech Chambi) at 1,544 m
    • An extension of the Atlas Mountains
    • UNESCO designated Jebel ech Chambi as a biosphere reserve.
    • It stands above the city of Kasserine in western central Tunisia.
    • The summit is covered by a pine forest and is part of Chambi National Park. Coordinates 35°12′24″N 08°40′59″E (Wikipedia / Peak Bagger)
  • Lowest point » Shatt al Gharsah at -17 m (Wikipedia)
  • Mean elevation » 246 m
Map of Tunisia (Source » Wikivoyage)

Map of Tunisia (Source » Wikivoyage)

Maps

Climate

  • Precipitation is very irregular and rainfall varies considerably from north to south.
  • Temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers
  • Desert in south

Terrain

  • Mountains in north
  • Hot, dry central plain;
  • Semiarid south merges into the Sahara

Tourism

  • Canadians do not require a visa to visit Tunisia for fewer than 90 days. (Canada)
  • List of World Heritage Sites in Tunisia (Wikipedia)
  • In the capital, Tunis, the Bardo Museum has archaeological exhibits from Roman mosaics to Islamic art.
    • The city’s medina quarter encompasses the massive Al-Zaytuna Mosque and a thriving souk.
  • To the east, the site of ancient Carthage features the Antonine Baths and other ruins, plus artifacts at the Carthage National Museum.

UNESCO World Heritage List

  • Amphitheatre of El Jem (UNESCO / Wikivoyage / Wikipedia /Lonely Plant / Atlas Obscura )
    • An oval amphitheatre in the modern-day city of El Djem, formerly Thysdrus in the Roman province of Africa.
    • It is the the largest in Africa and third largest amphitheatre in the world – it can hold 35,000 spectators.
    • 1km from Amphitheatre is the Archaeological Museum (Lonely Planet)
  • Archaeological Site of Carthage (UNESCO)
  • Medina of Tunis (UNESCO / Lonely Planet / Atlas Obscura)
  • Ichkeul National Park (UNESCO / Wikivoyage / Wikipedia)
  • Punic Town of Kerkuane and its Necropolis (UNESCO)
  • Kairouan (UNESCO / Lonely Planet)
  • Medina of Sousse (UNESCO)
    • Enclosed by Sousse’s city walls, this medina has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    • Sousse Archaeological Museum (Lonely Planet) nearby
  • Dougga / Thugga  (UNESCO / Lonely Planet)
    • One of the most magnificent Roman site in Africa
    • The area has everything from a forum, amphitheatre to public baths – with some of the sites dating back to the second or third century BC.

Adventures

  • Douz, a small town in south-central of Tunisia, referred to as the “Gateway to the Sahara” (Wikivoyage)
  • Brado Museum in Tunis (Lonely Planet)

Adventure Overland

  • Obtain from Border and Customs officials a “Authorization de Circulation pour un Vehicule Automobile” for the length of the visa. Typically, this will be 3 months. (Source, Mar 2020)
  • There is a ferry from Palermo, Italy to Tunis (2020)
  • Ferry services link Tunis to Malta, Trapani and Palermo (Sicily, Italy), Naples (Italy), Genoa (Italy) and Marseille (France). Travelling boats generally use La Goulette port (near Tunis). (2023, Wikivoyage)
  • The main border crossing between Tunisia and Algeria is (possibly?) at Hazoua (OSM)
  • Is is possible for foreigners to cross overland into Algeria at Nefta–Taleb Larbi border crossing. (Sahara Overland / viaMichelin map / March 2023)
  • World Fuel Prices

Ferry Crossing to/from Tunisia

  • List of Tunis ferry services (April 2023)
  • List of Ferry Operators for Tunisia 
    • Tunis ferry port in Tunisia is served by a number of ferry routes with crossings to Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Palermo & Salerno available. With a selection of up to 19 Sailings Weekly, the port of Tunis connects Tunisia with France, Italy, Rome & Sicily.
    • Sailing durations range from 12 hours on the Palermo service to 31 hours 16 minutes on the Civitavecchia service.

Vehicle Insurance

  • Tip » Obtain insurance in Tunis at “Star Insurance”, located at Devant Galerie 7, Avenue de Paris. (Horizons Unlimited, Mar 2020)

Notes

  • Tunisia has banned plastic bags
  • Tunisia gained independence from France in 1956.
  • Tunisia is more prosperous than its neighbours. Agriculture employs a large part of the workforce and tourism is a key sector.
  • Several Star Wars scenes were filmed in Tunisia (Wikipedia / Atlas Obscura)
Map of Tunusia (Source » France, July 2021)

Map of Tunisia (Source » France, July 2021)

Safety and Security

  • Due to the current security situation in Tunisia, many outside tour companies have suspended their operations to the country.
  • ICG Report
  • Some governments advises against travel to some parts of Tunisia.
  • There is a significant threat of terrorism in Tunisia. Some areas have a very high threat level.
  • Governments advise to exercise a high degree of caution in Tunisia due to the high threat of terrorist attack. Higher levels apply in some parts of the country.
  • As of July 2019, the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to:
    • the Chaambi Mountains National Park and the designated military operations zones of Mount Salloum, Mount Sammamma and Mount Mghila
    • the militarised zone south of the towns of El Borma and Dhehiba within 20km of the rest of the Libya border area north of Dhehiba
    • the town of Ben Guerdane and immediate surrounding area

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This page was updated September 19, 2023