| Area |
163,610 sq km (63,170 sq miles). |
| Population |
9,889,900 (2002). |
| Capital |
Tunis - population 1,927,000 (2001 (including suburbs). |
| Climate |
Tunisia has a warm climate all year. Best periods are spring and autumn. Temperatures can be extremely high inland. Winter is mild and has the highest rainfall. |
| Language |
The official language is Arabic. French is the second language, Italian is spoken in major cities, and English and German mainly in tourist resorts. |
| Religion |
The principal religion is Islam; there are small Roman Catholic, Protestant and Jewish minorities. |
| Time |
GMT + 1
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| Highlight |
Tunisia is best known for its beaches and large resorts but this small north-African country has much more to offer the discerning visitor. Tunis, the capital, is a large and relatively modern metropolis, a gateway to Africa with the vast stretches of Sahara Desert to the south of the country. Within the modern capital lies The Medina, one of the most spectacular, and best preserved, medieval cities in the Islamic world. In Central Tunisia Kairouan is the most sacred city in the country and Islam's fourth most important centre after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. Historic Roman sites include Carthage, Dougga and El Jem, Tunisia's giant amphitheatre. Jerba (Djerba) is certainly one of the country's main beach destinations; a popular recreation area as far back as Roman times. The island is predominantly flat, covered in palms with an outstanding selection of classic white sandy beaches and clear turquoise water. The Chott el Jerid is the focal point of Tunisia's desert adventures.
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| Country Facts |
Tunisia lying on the Mediterranean coast of Africa is the smallest of the three Maghreb states. Bordered by Algeria to the west and Libya to the southeast, Tunisia is 130km southwest of Sicily and 160km due south of Sardinia. The most pleasant periods to visit Tunisia are in spring and autumn. Desert temperatures can be very high in the summer. Winters tend to be mild with some rain - rainfall is at a peak during October - December. Tunisia's varied landscape includes un-crowded beaches, dramatic cliffs, nearly seven hundred miles of coastline, inland woodlands and Sahara Salt Mountains. |