Named after its capital, Tunis, Tunisia stretches from the Mediterranean to the Sahara Desert, and has a population of 11.3 million.
In ancient times, Tunisia was primarily inhabited by Berbers. Phoenician immigration began in the 12th century BC; these immigrants founded the ancient city of Carthage.
Hannibal Barca, best known for marching his elephants over the Alps, was born in 247 BC in Carthage.
Carthage became the major African city of the Roman Empire after Rome conquered it in 146BC.
The largest Roman aqueduct, at Carthage, was 87 miles long and was built during the reign of Publius Aelius Hadrianus between 117 and 138.
On July 17, 180, twelve inhabitants of Scillium (near Kasserine, modern-day Tunisia) in North Africa were executed for being Christians. This is the earliest record of Christianity in that part of the world.
After several attempts starting in 647, the Muslims conquered the whole of Tunisia by end of the 7th century. They founded there the first Islamic city in Northwest Africa, Kairouan.
The Mosque of Uqba was constructed in Kairouan, was constructed in 670. This mosque is the oldest and most prestigious sanctuary in the Muslim West with the oldest standing minaret in the world.
Tunisia was conquered by the Ottoman Empire between 1534 and 1574. The Ottomans held sway for over three hundred years until the French colonization. Tunisia became officially a French protectorate in on May 12, 1881.
Several major operations during the Second World War took place in Tunisia. On February 19, 1943, General Rommel launched a successful attack against the U.S. Forces, but the massive supply and numerical superiority of the Allies held sway and General Bernard Montgomery led the British Eighth Army to a victory in North Africa over the Germans in Tunisia on May 13, 1943.
Tunisia got its independence from France in 1956 and Habib Bourguiba became the first president. French along with Arabic is still spoken today.
Republic Day is celebrated in Tunisia on July 25th, marking the day when the Republic of Tunisia was declared on July 25, 1957.
The star and crescent of Tunisia's red and white flag, adopted in 1959, recalls the Ottoman flag and is therefore an indication of Tunisia's history as a part of the Ottoman Empire. The current official design dates to July 3, 1999.
On December 17, 2010 Tunisian street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in protest to police harassment, triggering the Tunisian Revolution.
Since the "Jasmine Revolution" of 2011, Tunisia has been the most democratic state in the Arab world.
The Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, a group of four institutions dedicated to bringing democracy, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015.
Tunisia is the northernmost nation in Africa. Cape Angela in Tunisia is the northernmost point of the continent of Africa.
It’s one of the smaller African nations and would fit into its neighbor, Algeria, 14 times.
Tunisia is 40% composed of the Sahara Desert. The other 60% is a fertile area.
Tunisia's main exports are crude oil (11 per cent of exports) and insulated copper wire (8 per cent).
There is an area in the country called Matmata, where some of the local Berber residents live in houses that are under the ground.
The country has been used for some huge films. Every Star Wars movie, except Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, has been filmed in there. Tunisia was also the setting for many scenes in Raiders Of The Lost Ark starring Harrison Ford.
In 1978 the national football team - nicknamed the Eagles - beat Mexico 3-1 to become the first African nation to win a match at the World Cup finals.
The constitution says that Islam is the official state religion.
Tunisia is the only country in the Arab world where polygamy is forbidden by law.
Despite Tunisia being a Muslim country, home brewed beer is available – the best-selling brand is Celtia.
Tunisia’s national dish is couscous. A spicy thick porridge with chicken or lamb called harissa is also popular.
A popular dish in the south-west of the country is camel. It is said to be tough and chewy.
When funerals take place in Tunisia, those in mourning usually wear bright red costumes rather than black.
Sources Daily Express, Daily Star, Talk Radio
HISTORY
In ancient times, Tunisia was primarily inhabited by Berbers. Phoenician immigration began in the 12th century BC; these immigrants founded the ancient city of Carthage.
Hannibal Barca, best known for marching his elephants over the Alps, was born in 247 BC in Carthage.
Carthage became the major African city of the Roman Empire after Rome conquered it in 146BC.
 |
| Ruins of Carthage By Christian Manhart |
The largest Roman aqueduct, at Carthage, was 87 miles long and was built during the reign of Publius Aelius Hadrianus between 117 and 138.
On July 17, 180, twelve inhabitants of Scillium (near Kasserine, modern-day Tunisia) in North Africa were executed for being Christians. This is the earliest record of Christianity in that part of the world.
After several attempts starting in 647, the Muslims conquered the whole of Tunisia by end of the 7th century. They founded there the first Islamic city in Northwest Africa, Kairouan.
The Mosque of Uqba was constructed in Kairouan, was constructed in 670. This mosque is the oldest and most prestigious sanctuary in the Muslim West with the oldest standing minaret in the world.
 |
| The world's oldest surviving minaret, 8th-9th century. Wikipedia |
Tunisia was conquered by the Ottoman Empire between 1534 and 1574. The Ottomans held sway for over three hundred years until the French colonization. Tunisia became officially a French protectorate in on May 12, 1881.
Several major operations during the Second World War took place in Tunisia. On February 19, 1943, General Rommel launched a successful attack against the U.S. Forces, but the massive supply and numerical superiority of the Allies held sway and General Bernard Montgomery led the British Eighth Army to a victory in North Africa over the Germans in Tunisia on May 13, 1943.
Tunisia got its independence from France in 1956 and Habib Bourguiba became the first president. French along with Arabic is still spoken today.
Republic Day is celebrated in Tunisia on July 25th, marking the day when the Republic of Tunisia was declared on July 25, 1957.
The star and crescent of Tunisia's red and white flag, adopted in 1959, recalls the Ottoman flag and is therefore an indication of Tunisia's history as a part of the Ottoman Empire. The current official design dates to July 3, 1999.
On December 17, 2010 Tunisian street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in protest to police harassment, triggering the Tunisian Revolution.
Since the "Jasmine Revolution" of 2011, Tunisia has been the most democratic state in the Arab world.
The Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, a group of four institutions dedicated to bringing democracy, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015.
FUN TUNISIA FACTS
Tunisia is the northernmost nation in Africa. Cape Angela in Tunisia is the northernmost point of the continent of Africa.
It’s one of the smaller African nations and would fit into its neighbor, Algeria, 14 times.
 |
| Location of Tunisia. By OCHA |
Tunisia is 40% composed of the Sahara Desert. The other 60% is a fertile area.
Tunisia's main exports are crude oil (11 per cent of exports) and insulated copper wire (8 per cent).
There is an area in the country called Matmata, where some of the local Berber residents live in houses that are under the ground.
 |
| Troglodyte house By Bernard Gagnon |
The country has been used for some huge films. Every Star Wars movie, except Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, has been filmed in there. Tunisia was also the setting for many scenes in Raiders Of The Lost Ark starring Harrison Ford.
In 1978 the national football team - nicknamed the Eagles - beat Mexico 3-1 to become the first African nation to win a match at the World Cup finals.
The constitution says that Islam is the official state religion.
Tunisia is the only country in the Arab world where polygamy is forbidden by law.
Despite Tunisia being a Muslim country, home brewed beer is available – the best-selling brand is Celtia.
Tunisia’s national dish is couscous. A spicy thick porridge with chicken or lamb called harissa is also popular.
A popular dish in the south-west of the country is camel. It is said to be tough and chewy.
When funerals take place in Tunisia, those in mourning usually wear bright red costumes rather than black.
Sources Daily Express, Daily Star, Talk Radio
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