Plugs used in Tunisia are two pin plugs, same as Europe. Also, Tunisia was occupied by Ayyubids between 1182 and 1183 and again between 1184 and 1187.[55]. [87], On 3 March 2011, the interim president announced that elections to a Constituent Assembly would be held on 24 July 2011. Cryptocurrency: In 2019, it was announced that Tunisia became the first country to start moving its national currency to a blockchain platform. Sadok Gmech draws his inspiration from national wealth while Moncef Ben Amor turns to fantasy. Tunisian president Beji Caid Essebsi renewed the state of emergency in October for three more months. [212][213] They also represented Africa in the 2005 FIFA Cup of Confederations, which was held in Germany, but they could not go beyond the first round. The TV media has long remained under the domination of the Establishment of the Broadcasting Authority Tunisia (ERTT) and its predecessor, the Tunisian Radio and Television, founded in 1957. Tunisia Has The 4th Most Important City In The Islamic World. It is mountainous in the north and extends into the Sahara Desert in the south. A 2.5-hour drive south of Tunis takes you to El Jem, a Punic city that became an important center of commerce during Roman times. In the 19th century, the rulers of Tunisia became aware of the ongoing efforts at political and social reform in the Ottoman capital. About Tunisia. [105], Homosexuality is illegal in Tunisia and can be punished by up to three years in prison. Population. The Tunisian Dinar is divided into 1000 millimes. It still finds itself hanging between inflation and unemployment while looking up to the 6 October elections with hope of a reform. 60.4 per sq km. Visit the Embassy's COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Tunisia. For instance, the Tunisian Human Rights League, the first human rights organization in Africa and the Arab world, operated under restrictions and state intrusion for over half of its existence, but is now free to operate. The premier football league is the "Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1". [148] As of 2015[update], Tunisia had a total renewable capacity of 312 MW (245 MW wind, 62 MW hydropower, 15 MW photovoltaics.)[149][150]. services in the Middle East and North Africa. Paramilitary forces consisted of a 12,000-member national guard. [40] During the 5th and 6th centuries (from 430 to 533 AD), the Germanic Vandals invaded and ruled over a kingdom in Northwest Africa that included present-day Tripoli. [103] Tunisia (#69 worldwide) is the only democracy in North Africa. Russell", "Saladin and the Ayyubid Campaigns in the Maghrib", "Amnesty International censures Tunisia over human right", "BBC News | OBITUARIES | Habib Bourguiba: Father of Tunisia", "Tunisians hail fall of ex-leader's corrupt family", "Tunisie: comment s'enrichit le clan Ben Ali? According to a CIA World Factbook estimate, Tunisia's population stood at just over 11.4 million people in July 2017. In addition to the cultivations and the capture and transporting of exotic wild animals from the western mountains, the principal production and exports included the textiles, marble, wine, timber, livestock, pottery such as African Red Slip, and wool. Visitors from many countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand can enter without a visa for a stay of up to 90 days. [25][26][27] It has a high human development index. The region was easily reconquered in 533–534 AD, during the rule of Emperor Justinian I, by the Eastern Romans led by General Belisarius. Until then, ERTT managed all public television stations (Télévision Tunisienne 1 as well as Télévision Tunisienne 2 which had replaced the defunct RTT 2) and four national radio stations (Radio Tunis, Tunisia Radio Culture, Youth and Radio RTCI) and five regional Sfax, Monastir, Gafsa, Le Kef and Tataouine. Tunisia's currency is the Tunisian dinar; for accurate exchange rates, use this online converter. Government and institution measures in response to COVID-19. A basic education for children between the ages of 6 and 16 has been compulsory since 1991. Around 1200 they succeeded in extending their rule over the whole of Tunisia until they were crushed by Almohad troops in 1207. [143], Oil production began in 1966 in Tunisia. [46], After conquering Cairo, the Fatimids abandoned Tunisia and parts of Eastern Algeria to the local Zirids (972–1148). General Information . [133], Tunis Sports City is an entire sports city currently being constructed in Tunis, Tunisia. Portugal, officially The Portuguese Republic, is a country in southern Europe, founded in 1143, occupying a total area of 92,212 km 2. [199], There are currently fifty art galleries housing exhibitions of Tunisian and international artists. Land area: 59,985 sq mi (155,361 sq km); total area: 63,170 sq mi (163,610 sq km) The battle opened with initial success by the German and Italian forces, but the massive supply and numerical superiority of the Allies led to the Axis surrender on 13 May 1943. During the Roman period, the area of what is now Tunisia enjoyed a huge development. [173] Sunnis form the majority with non-denominational Muslims being the second largest group of Muslims,[174] followed by Ibadite Amazighs. [106] In the 2011 constituent assembly, women held between 24% and 31% of all seats. The Arab world's only democratic state fought hard against the dictatorial regime of president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali during the Arab Spring. [137], On 29 and 30 November 2016, Tunisia held an investment conference Tunisia2020 to attract $30 billion in investment projects. [79] In 2008, in terms of Press freedom, Tunisia was ranked 143rd out of 173.[80]. Sahel and Esperance S.Tunis dominating. [196] The life expectancy at birth was 75.73 years in 2016, or 73.72 years for males and 77.78 years for females. A Tunis court banned the ex-ruling party RCD and confiscated all its resources. [125], Tunisia is an export-oriented country in the process of liberalizing and privatizing an economy that, while averaging 5% GDP growth since the early 1990s, has suffered from corruption benefiting politically connected elites. The team won the 2011 Afrobasket and hosted Africa's top basketball event in 1965, 1987 and 2015. Its northernmost point, Cape Angela, is also the northernmost point on the African continent. [128] The bulk of Tunisians belong to the Maliki School of Sunni Islam and their mosques are easily recognizable by square minarets. [76], Independent human rights groups, such as Amnesty International, Freedom House, and Protection International, documented that basic human and political rights were not respected. The rate of non-revenue water is the lowest in the region at 21% in 2012. The official language of Tunisia is Arabic. Northern Tunisia has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Keep an eye out for rare desert wildlife and revel in the splendor of wilderness sunrises and sunsets. The Tunisian Revolution[81][82] was an intensive campaign of civil resistance that was precipitated by high unemployment, food inflation, corruption,[83] a lack of freedom of speech and other political freedoms[84] and poor living conditions. Its coast was settled by Phoenicians starting as early as the 12th century BC (Bizerte, Utica). Go to my Tunisia Visa page for information on the different types of visas for Tunisia. Five airlines are headquartered in Tunisia: Tunisair, Syphax airlines, Karthago Airlines, Nouvelair, and Tunisair Express. 9,889,900 (official estimate 2002). In addition to ensuring that your routine vaccines are up to date, the CDC recommends that travelers to Tunisia be vaccinated for hepatitis A and typhoid. [56] In the late 16th century the coast became a pirate stronghold. Tunisia is characterized by moderate relief. The industrial sector is mainly made up of clothing and footwear manufacturing, production of car parts, and electric machinery. Unfortunately, you cannot change TND outside Tunisia. In 2008 it had a GDP of US$41 billion (official exchange rates), or $82 billion (purchasing power parity).[128]. To discover the history behind Sidi Bou Said's unique architecture, visit the Neo-Moorish home of Baron Rodolphe d'Erlanger. [217] ITF president Francesco Ricci Bitti said: "There is no room for prejudice of any kind in sport or in society. There are now over 100 legal parties, including several that existed under the former regime. According to the Roman historian Sallust, the demigod Hercules died in Spain and his polyglot eastern army was left to settle the land, with some migrating to Africa. The founders of Carthage also established a Tophet, which was altered in Roman times. Called the Granary of the Empire, the area of actual Tunisia and coastal Tripolitania, according to one estimate, produced one million tons of cereals each year, one-quarter of which was exported to the Empire. [117], The Tunisian regime has been criticised[by whom?] The airport is located north of Sousse at Enfidha and is to mainly serve the resorts of Hamammet and Port El Kantaoui, together with inland cities such as Kairouan. Planning, design and The most famous Tunisian handball player is Wissem Hmam. One of the most popular tourist destinations in North Africa, Tunisia offers an incredibly diverse range of experiences. Critical approach to the activities of the president, government and the Constitutional Democratic Rally Party (then in power) were suppressed. Note: check the latest travel warnings before booking your trip to Tunisia. Following the Battle of Carthage which began in 149 BC during the Third Punic War, Carthage was conquered by Rome in 146 BC. The Central Bank of Tunisia announced that the digitisation of the Tunisian dinar has started and that the paper-backed CBDC will be issued on the Universa Blockchain. Refers to the Maghreb countries, including Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria and Libya. [39] Following its conquest, the Romans renamed Carthage to Africa, incorporating it as a province. The Tunisian national handball team won the African Cup ten times, being the team dominating this competition. It is 220 voltage. Labour unions were said to be an integral part of the protests. Do not travel to: [118], In 2017, Tunisia became the first Arab country to outlaw domestic violence against women, which was previously not a crime. Retrieved 15 December 2016. In 2011, the Tunisian Revolution resulted in the overthrow of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, followed by parliamentary elections. The ITF Board decided to send a strong message to the Tunisian Tennis Federation that this kind of action will not be tolerated. [33], The Numidians and Moors belonged to the race from which the Berbers are descended.