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Tunisia

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Tunisia is a country located in the Maghreb region of North Africa.

Tunisia - Location Map (2013) - TUN - UNOCHA
Tunisia - Location Map (2013) - TUN - UNOCHA

It sits along the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the east. To the west and southwest, it shares a border with Algeria. Libya lies to the southeast. The land in Tunisia is very diverse. It includes the eastern end of the Atlas Mountains and the northern parts of the Sahara desert.

Koppen-Geiger Map TUN present
Koppen-Geiger Map TUN present

Much of the land is arable, which means it is good for farming. The country also contains Cape Angela, which is the northernmost point in Africa.

The way people live in Tunisia is shaped by many different groups. Most of the 12.1 million people are Arab and Muslim.

Bevölkerungspyramide Tunesien 2016
Bevölkerungspyramide Tunesien 2016

Arabic is the official language, and many people speak Tunisian Arabic. French is also used in schools and for government work. Tunisia is known for its beautiful blue coasts and busy markets called souks.

Tunezja, Sidi Bou Said - panoramio (10)
Tunezja, Sidi Bou Said - panoramio (10)

The country is well connected to the rest of the world. It is a member of many groups like the United Nations and the African Union. It also has close ties to European countries like France and Italy.

The history of Tunisia began with the indigenous Berber people.

Tunisia location (orthographic projection)
Tunisia location (orthographic projection)

In the 12th century BC, the Phoenicians arrived on the coast. They built the famous city of Carthage, which became a very powerful empire.

Carthaginianempire
Carthaginianempire

A famous leader named Hannibal Barca led Carthage during wars against Rome. Eventually, the Romans defeated Carthage in 146 BC. The Romans ruled Tunisia for about 800 years. They left behind large stone buildings, such as the Amphitheatre of El Jem.

Temple du Capitole (Dougga)
Temple du Capitole (Dougga)

In the 7th century AD, Arab Muslims arrived in the region. They brought the religion of Islam and the Arabic language. They built the Great Mosque of Kairouan, which is a very important place for art and architecture.

Panorama of the courtyard of the Great Mosque of Kairouan
Panorama of the courtyard of the Great Mosque of Kairouan

Later, the Ottoman Empire took control in 1546. The French conquered the land in 1881. Tunisia finally became an independent republic in 1956.

Habib Bourguiba portrait4
Habib Bourguiba portrait4

This long history created a unique culture made of many different traditions.

In recent years, Tunisia has seen big changes in how it is run. In 2011, a movement called the Tunisian Revolution took place.

This happened because people wanted more freedom and democracy. After the revolution, the country held many elections. From 2014 to 2020, it was seen as a democratic state in the Arab world.

GDP per capita development of Tunisia
GDP per capita development of Tunisia

However, things have changed recently under President Kais Saied. Today, the country continues to work through these important political shifts.

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🖼️ Images & Media (31)
Humat al-Hima.ogg
File:Tunisia location (orthographic projection).svg
Tunisia location (orthographic projection).svg
File:Tunisia - Location Map (2013) - TUN - UNOCHA.svg
Tunisia - Location Map (2013) - TUN - UNOCHA.svg
File:Carthaginianempire.PNG
Carthaginianempire.PNG
File:Mommsen p265.jpg
Mommsen p265.jpg
File:Temple du Capitole (Dougga).JPG
Temple du Capitole (Dougga).JPG
File:Statue de Okba ibn Nafi al Fihri en Algérie.jpg
Statue de Okba ibn Nafi al Fihri en Algérie.jpg
File:Panorama of the courtyard of the Great Mosque of Kairouan.jpg
Panorama of the courtyard of the Great...
File:Frans Hogenberg battle of Tunis.jpg
Frans Hogenberg battle of Tunis.jpg
File:St Louis Cathedral - Carthage - Tunisia - 1899.jpg
St Louis Cathedral - Carthage - Tunisia - 1899.jpg
File:A Churchill tank and other vehicles parade through Tunis, 8 May 1943. NA2880.jpg
A Churchill tank and other vehicles...
File:Habib Bourguiba portrait4.jpg
Habib Bourguiba portrait4.jpg

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