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A Hospitable land, Tunisia, or The Republic of Tunisia is a very attractive holiday destination: The country understands the interest for the development of tourism and contributes for the creation of new resorts in the decades to come. The majority of visitors travel to Tunisia to take advantage of the sea (Djerba ,...), with its beaches, villages and cities like the capital Tunis and the ruins of ancient Carthage. However, do not forget the southern Sahara which attracts more and more new fans with its vast spaces of desert. |
Location: Tunisia occupies the eastern part of the Maghreb. Largely open to the Mediterranean, it is bordered to the north with Sardinia and to north-east with Sicily.
Area: 163 610 kms2, including 25 000 sq km of desert. Nearly 1300 km of coastline, 1050 km from west borders with Algeria and 480 kms south of Libya.
Population: 10.3 million inhabitants, 98.2% of Arabs, 1.2% of Berbers and 0.6% other (French, Italians). Highest point: Jabal Chambi, 1544 m.
Capital: Tunis (2.1 million inhabitants. In 2003.).
Religions: Islam is the official religion. Tunisia has 98% Muslim, 1% Jews and Christians 1%.
Language: Arabic, but the majority of the population speaks or understands French.
Currency: Tunisian dinar (Dt).
Administrative divisions: 24 governorates divided into teams, municipalities and sheikdoms.
Political system: presidential republic.
World Heritage Sites by UNESCO: the Medina of Tunis Site of Carthage, the Amphitheatre of El Jem, Ichkeul National Park, the site of Kerkouane, the medina of Sousse, Kairouan, and Dougga .
Main industries: petroleum, phosphates (6th largest exporter), textiles, olive oil, citrus, tourism (5 million visitors in 2002, 60% of Europeans)
Economy: The main trade is with Italy, Germany, the United States and France, while agriculture that uses about 50% of the land with crops of corn, wheat, oats, dates, olives and oranges (but 40% of food must be imported). With regard to mineral extractions, Tunisia is the sixth world producer of phosphates. Fishery sector is constantly developing, especially for tuna and sardines with an annual catch of 95,000 tons.
The geographical position of Tunisia, its natural assets and its successive civilizations are the basis of the growth of tourism that involves, for over 40 years and the combined efforts of state and private sectors. Banks are key development actors in the country
