About Tunisia

    Tunisia is located in the Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya. Its area is almost 165,000 square kilometers (64,000 sq mi), with an estimated population of just over 10.4 million. Its name is acquired from the capital Tunis located in the north-east. Settled in ancient times by the Phoenicians and dominated after the 6th century B.C. by the Carthaginians, the area later fell to the Romans (2nd century B.C.), Vandals (5th century A.D.), and Byzantines (6th century) before being conquered by the Arabs in the 7th century. Tunisia was taken over by the Ottoman Turks in the late 16th century and, as one of the Barbary States, was used as a base by pirates raiding ships in the Mediterranean. It became a French protectorate in 1881 and achieved full independence in 1956.Modern Tunisians are the descendants of indigenous Berbers and of people from numerous civilizations that have invaded, migrated to, and been assimilated into the population.There history can date back to Rome’s and Italians settling into Tunisia. That’s most words in the Tunisian language sounds like Italian and Spanish words. Berber, Arab, African and European influences have shaped the Tunisian cultural identity.

Facts and Statistics
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya
Capital: Tunis
Climate: temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south
Population: 9,974,722 (July 2004 est.)
Ethnic Make-up: Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%
Religions: Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%
Government: republic
The Language: French and Arabic
The national dish: Couscous is the national dish