What country is Tunisia. Location of Tunisia on the world map. International sporting events

Tunisia(Arabic تونس ‎), official name - Tunisian Republic(Arab. الجمهورية التونسية ‎, al-Jumhuriyya at-Tunisiya) is a state in the far north of Africa. The population, according to the results of the 2010 census, is more than 10 million people, the territory is 163,610 km². It ranks seventy-ninth in the world in terms of population and ninety-first in terms of territory.

On October 23, 2011, elections were held for the provisional Constituent Assembly. The moderate Islamist Renaissance Party won 89 seats out of 217, the Congress for the Republic - 29, the People's Petition for Freedom, Justice and Development (Al-Arida) - 26.

On October 26, 2014, the first elections to the Assembly of People's Representatives took place after the fall of the regime of President Ben Ali and the adoption of a new constitution. The citizens of the country elected 217 deputies. The main secular party, Nidaa Tunis, won the majority of seats (83), while An-Nahda, the largest Islamist party, won 68 seats.

Geographical position

Atlas Mountains in Tunisia

The lowest point in Tunisia is El Garsa (17 m below sea level), and the highest is Mt. Shambi (1544 m). In terms of area, it is the smallest country in the Maghreb.

The climate of Tunisia is subtropical Mediterranean in the north and along the coast, in the south and inland - tropical desert. Average temperatures in January are +10 °C in the north and +21 °C in the south, in July +26 °C in the north and +33 °C in the south. Precipitation per year varies from 100 mm in the south to 1500 mm in mountainous areas, some desert areas receive no precipitation at all for years on end. The summer heat on the coast is softened by the sea breeze, so subjectively it seems a little cooler than it really is. In desert areas, frosts are not uncommon at night even in spring and autumn, although during the day the temperature during this period can reach +25 ... +27 ° C. The best time to visit the country is September-November and March-June.

Administrative division

Tunisia is made up of 24 vilayets headed by wali, which are in turn divided into 264 muatamadiyats or districts headed by muatamads. Muatamadiyats are divided into 2073 sheikhats or districts headed by sheikhs. The wali, the heads of the vilayets, are appointed by the president of the republic. The Muatamads, the heads of the Muatamadiyats, are appointed by the Minister of the Interior.

Economy

An agro-industrial country whose economy is based on agriculture. The second place in the national income is occupied by tourism, the third - light industry, mainly textile. Tunisia is the fourth largest exporter of olives and olive oil in the world. There are over 50 million olive trees in the country. Tunisia provides up to 10% of the world's olive oil production. But Tunisia does not produce enough other agricultural products and is forced to import it. Large deposits of phosphorites are being developed by state-owned companies. Oil production is 5 million tons, which provides for the country's domestic needs and provides up to 40% of export earnings.

According to polls, almost 50% of the population consider themselves to be middle class. The minimum wage set by the state is 270 dinars (just under $130) per month.

Oil and gas industry

Tunisia's oil industry is less developed than its neighbor, Algeria. Proven oil reserves in Tunisia in 2006 are 308 million barrels. According to the BP Statistical Energy Survey, Tunisia produced an average of 97,600 barrels of crude oil per day in 2007, which was 0.11% of the world's total and this figure has changed by 40.1% compared to 2006.

For a long time, oil was the main source of Tunisia's export earnings (in 1999, about 250 thousand tons of crude oil were produced in the country). Since the late 1980s this role has shifted to textiles and food.

The Ministry of Industry regulates the oil industry in Tunisia. The state oil company is L'Enterprise Tunisienne d'Activites Petrolieres (ETAP) and the Société Nationale de Distribution du Pètrole (SNDP) is the national marketing distribution company.

In Tunisia, British Gas is the largest foreign investor. It owns 100% of the shares in gas production at the Miskar field, which provides 80% of the country's daily demand for this energy carrier. In addition to the Miskar field, ‘BG’ holds a 50% interest and exploration permit in the offshore Amilcar and Ulysee fields, where the state-owned company ‘ETAP’ also operates. The Hannibal-3 appraisal well, drilled in the Amilcar field in 1997, discovered gas, but has not yet been authorized to produce it. The Miskar field provides more than 90% of all gas production (335 million m3 in 1999).

Transport

A train led by a diesel locomotive at Sfax SNCFT station

There are eight in the country international airports, the total number of airports is 29 (as of 2013). Major airports countries: Enfida, Tunis-Carthage, Habib Bourguiba Monastir and others.

The length of the country's railway network operated by SNCFT (fr. Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Tunisiens), over 1900 km, of which 473 km with a gauge of 1435 mm and 1674 km with a gauge of 1000 mm.

International cargo transportation is carried out by sea. The main ports of the country:, Sehira,.

Population

Demographic curve of Tunisia

98% of the population - Muslims, a small number of Catholics. Also in Tunisia, on the island of Djerba, there is a Jewish community.

The population is 10,982,476 inhabitants according to the 2014 census. In recent years, the birth rate has been falling sharply in Tunisia. In 2010, the total fertility rate is estimated at 1.71 children per woman. This is the lowest figure among the Arab countries.

Languages

97% of the country's population are Arabs. However, there is an insignificant part (1%) of the Berbers, mainly living on the island of Djerba and in the areas of Tatavin, Gafsa. The Berbers of Tunisia, represented by the Nefusa tribe, speak one of the dialects of the Berber language, often called Shelha. Circassians also live in the country (about 1.5%). They are mainly descendants of the Egyptian Mamluks, some of them were settlers from the Caucasus after the Caucasian War.

culture

Kitchen

Alcohol

Traditionally, Muslims do not drink alcohol, but in Tunisia, the attitude towards this issue is more liberal. The country produces dry and table wines. In the city of Grombalia, a monument in the form of a grape brush is erected on the central square. This city hosts a wine festival every September. In Tunisia, there is only one national beer brand - "Celtia". The national alcoholic drinks of Tunisia also include date liqueur "Tibarin", citrus liqueur "Cedratine" and fig vodka - "Boukha". Popular red dry wine "Magon".

Holidays and dates

• January 14 - Revolution Day
• March 20 - Independence Day
• March 21 - Youth Day
• April 9 - Memorial Day of the Martyrs
• May 1 - Labor Day
• July 25 - Republic Day
• August 13 - Women's Day

mass media

State TV company - ETT (Établissement de la television tunisienne- "Institution of Tunisian Television"), includes Télévision Tunisienne 1 (launched on May 31, 1966 as RTT, since 1983 RTT 1, modern name - Télévision Tunisienne 1) and Télévision Tunisienne 2 (launched on November 7, 1994), state radio company - ERT (Établissement de la radio tunisienne- “Tunisian Radio Establishment”), includes radio stations Radio Tunis (launched October 15, 1938), Radio Tunis Chaîne Internationale (launched 1960), Radio Jeunes (launched November 7, 1995), Radio Tunisie Culture (launched May 29 2006) and a number of regional radio stations (Radio Sfax (launched December 8, 1961), Radio Monastir (launched August 3, 1977), Radio Gafsa (launched November 7, 1991), Radio Le Kef (launched November 7, 1991), Radio Tataouine (launched November 7, 1991). ETT and ERT were created on August 31, 2007 through the division of the state television and radio company ERTT ( Établissement de la radiodiffusion-télévision tunisienne- "Institution of Tunisian Broadcasting and Television"), established on October 15, 1938 as Radio Tunis, from April 25, 1957 - RTT ( Radiodiffusion-television tunisienne- “Tunisian Broadcasting and Television”), since May 7, 1990, it has had a modern name. Terrestrial television operator - ONT ( Office national de la telediffusion, الديوان الوطني للإرسال الإذاعي والتلفزي ). Control over compliance with media laws is carried out by the Supreme Independent Directorate of Audiovisual Communication ( Haute autorite independante de la communication audiovisuelle, الهيئة العليا المستقلة للاتصال السمعي البصري ) appointed by the President.

Armed forces

Unlike its neighbors, Algeria and Libya, Tunisia has insignificant oil reserves and, as a result, its financial possibilities are limited. Military spending in the 90s. amounted to 350-400 million dollars a year. They are armed with weapons and military equipment, mainly of Western production, and rather outdated.

Sport

International sporting events

Since 1994, the local sports club Golf Yasmine has been organizing competitions at various levels. So, in 1994, the Challenge Tour was held in Tunisia, and in 2000-2001 - the World Shot Gun and the Mediterranean Games.

In 1994 and 2004, Tunisia hosted the final tournaments of the African Cup of Nations in football.

In 2005 Tunisia hosted the World Handball Championship.

Since 2006, the Tunisian Golf Championship has been regularly held.

In 2009, one of the stages of the World Rally Raid Cup was held in Tunisia - the OiLibya de Tunisie rally raid. It was marked by a serious accident, which on May 1 involved the crew of a Russian racer, BMW X-Raid team pilot Leonid Novitsky. 11 km after the start, the athlete at a speed of 200 km / h crashed into a series of sandy crossings. Leonid Novitsky and his navigator Oleg Tyupenkin, having received serious injuries, were taken by helicopter to the hospital. The race was stopped and the special stage was cancelled.

Notes

1. World Atlas: Maximum detailed information/ Project leaders: A. N. Bushnev, A. P. Pritvorov. - Moscow: AST, 2017. - S. 66. - 96 p. - ISBN 978-5-17-10261-4.
2. Results du recensements 2014 par gouvernorats et délégations (Vol2) (French) . Statistiques Tunisia. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
3. Human Development Report 2013. United Nations Development Program (2013). Archived from the original on August 13, 2013.
4. http://www.worldtimezone.com/time/wtzresult.php?CiID=6761
5. http://dateandtime.info/country.php?code=TN
6. https://www.timeanddate.com/time/change/tunisia
7. https://www.horlogeparlante.com/history-english.html?city=2464470
8. https://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/tunisia-cancels-dst-2009.html
9. States and territories of the world. Reference information // Atlas of the world / comp. and prepare. to ed. PKO "Cartography" in 2009; ch. ed. G. V. Pozdnyak. - M.: PKO "Cartography": Onyx, 2010. - S. 22. - ISBN 978-5-85120-295-7 (Cartography). - ISBN 978-5-488-02609-4 (Onyx).
10. Tunisian President Deposed
11. Tunisia: "Jasmine Revolution" and what will happen next?
12. In Tunisia, the state of emergency was canceled, counting on a large tourist flow
13. Russian tourists will be taken out of Tunisia on January 16, RosBusinessConsulting (January 15, 2011). Retrieved 16 January 2011.
14. Tunisia holds parliamentary elections on Sunday. Euronews (26 October 2014). Retrieved October 26, 2014.
15. Tunisia begins landmark election race. Al Arabiya (October 4, 2014). Retrieved October 26, 2014.
16. Blinov A. A. Arabic literary language in Tunisia // Bulletin of the Society of Orientalists of the Russian Academy of Sciences. - M.: Institution Russian Academy Sciences "Institute of Oriental Studies RAS", 2010. - Issue. 17: Proceedings of the inter-institutional scientific conference "Oriental Readings 2008": Moscow, October 8-10, 2008.. - S. 448. - ISBN 978-5-89282-409-5. (unavailable link)
17. Tunisia
18. Oil and Gas in Tunisia - Overview Archived from the original on May 13, 2006.
19. OIL AND GAS
20. The World Factbook
21. Great Soviet Encyclopedia. Ch. ed. A. M. Prokhorov, 3rd ed. T. 26. Tikhoretsk - Ulyanovo. 1977. 624 pages, illustrations; 46 l. ill. and maps.
22. Press center of Leonid Novitsky
23. Only at the end of October, at the Shamrock Rallye du Maroc (), Novitsky was able to get behind the wheel of the car again, where, with the new co-driver Andreas Schulz, he took second place, losing to teammate Stefan Petransel. And in 2010, Leonid Novitsky became the owner of the World Rally Raid Cup.

see also

• Russian-Tunisian relations

Literature

• V.V. Vodovozov Tunisia, state// Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg. , 1890-1907.
• Pantuchek S. Tunisian Literature. M., 1970. - 156 p.
• Sapronova M. A. "The Berber Question" in the Maghreb countries. - M. : MGIMO, 2005. - S. 55.

Links

• Government of Tunisia - official website (fr.)
• Tunisian House of Representatives - official website (ar.)
• Open Directory Project- Tunisia

People go to Tunisia to relax in first class spa, bargain at the oriental bazaar, ride a camel through the largest desert in the world and, of course, it’s wonderful to relax in hotels by the sea. Holidays in Tunisia have become a good substitute for holidays in Egyptian resorts: tours here are cheap, service in hotels is decent, and there is enough sand in the Sahara and ancient ruins for everyone.

Visa

Visa to Tunisia for Russian citizens need not. All you need to visit Tunisia is to pay for a hotel, fly to one of the airports and fill out a short questionnaire.

Tours in Tunisia

Prices for tours for 2 people for 7 nights with departure from Moscow

Weather

If you are planning a beach holiday in Tunisia, then remember that bathing season starts from the end of May to the end of October. For trips, it is better to choose the off-season - late autumn or mid-spring.

In the resort areas of Tunisia, there are many hotels that literally dot the entire coast. Those that are on the first line have a large area, their own beach area, garden and pools. Usually these are hotels of well-known international chains, but there are also local brands whose service is just as good. The most common category hotels 4 or 5 stars. We recommend choosing food by type "all inclusive".

Round trip flights to Tunisia

Ticket prices shown are for 1 person departing from Berlin

First of all, of course, it is worth planning a visit to, to the famous one - without visiting him, a trip to Tunisia will be incomplete. It will also be interesting to see the dwellings of troglodytes and the places where Star Wars episodes were filmed. You should definitely wander around the capital's medina, look at and take fantastic pictures in the blue and white city, feed the giraffe at the Phrygia Zoo.

Currency

Currency of Tunisia - Tunisian dinar. One Tunisian dinar is divided into 1000 millimeters and is equal to approximately 50 cents.

What to bring

The three most popular souvenirs from Tunisia - olive oil, ceramics and desert rose.

Olive oil has been produced in Tunisia for a very long time; endless olive plantations can be seen along the roads. Several varieties of olives grow in the country, so all kinds of oil are sold. It is only important to pay attention to acidity - it should not be lower than 1%.

"Desert Rose" is a beautiful souvenir that can only be found in the countries of North Africa. These are sand, salt and gypsum pressed by the wind, which form amusing shapes that look like flowers. The average price for one "rose" - one dinar, but you can bargain and get a bunch for a piglet.

Kitchen

Tunisia has long been under the rule of France, and this has left a big imprint on the national cuisine. For example, they still serve the freshest and most delicious baguette for breakfast and they know how to make croissants very well. Chefs are also good at dishes from cereals and legumes- for example, chickpeas or couscous. But with meat, everything is much sadder. Mainly mutton, cooked in the oven and generously flavored with spices so that it is almost impossible to recognize lamb.

Boiled vegetables (also with spices) are at a premium here. What Tunisians have no equal in is sweets. Nuts in honey, baklava, Turkish delight, nougat - you can’t list everything!

Transport

developed in Tunisia bus and train service as well as a taxi service. You can travel between cities by bus or train. The national carrier that controls the electric trains offers cars of varying degrees of comfort. Tickets are quite expensive - from 9 to 20 dinars. An amazing metro runs in the capital, like two drops of water similar to interconnected trams - almost all lines are ground, there are no transfers between them.

In resort towns, it is best to move from point A to point B by Taxi. It is very important to know a few rules in order not to end up on the outskirts of the city without money. First, remember that getting into a taxi is paid (about 250 millimeters). Secondly, always ask to reset and turn on the counter. Thirdly, be prepared for a rather dashing driving style. At night, a taxi rises in price by 50% - from 21:00 to 5:00 there is a special tariff. In general, traveling by taxi is convenient and very inexpensive, if you follow all the rules. A trip from to, for example, will cost about 4 dinars, and from a coastal hotel to the city center, to the medina - 2-3 dinars.

How to get there

Tunisia is a country in northern Africa, neighboring Libya and Algeria. Its shores are washed by the gentle waters of the Mediterranean Sea. About a third of the country's territory is occupied by the Atlas Mountains, and in the south of the country it begins.

There are 9 airports in Tunisia, but Russian tourists land at 4 of them. Capital (Tunisia-Carthage) accepts regular flights. New Enfidha Airport c accepts charters from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Russian cities (Perm, Tyumen, Kazan and others). The transfer will take approximately 45 minutes.

Charters with Russian tourists also land at Habib Bourguiba Airport in Monastir. Before

Safety

In 2015, another revolution shook Tunisia and the unrest has not yet passed. On excursions you can see fortified police and military vehicles. From time to time, local radicals arrange clashes, most often this happens in the capital, in resort towns such a rarity. After the sad case of a terrorist attack on a hotel, the resort administration has stepped up security - the territories are equipped with video cameras, the hotels are guarded by people in uniform.

Good to know

• Time in Tunisia is two hours behind Moscow.
• Sockets in Tunisia do not differ from Russian ones, no adapter is needed.
• The jellyfish season on the coast begins in August and lasts until early September.
• Large shops are open until 19:00, small shops - until 23:00.
• It is better for women not to appear in places that are not too crowded without an accompanying man and not to go alone to coffee shops with a male audience.

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Africa Tunisia: where is located best country north of the continent on the world map

Every year the demand for holidays in Tunisia is growing. Europeans, Americans, residents of neighboring countries and Russians are flying into the country. Beautiful eastern cities, luxury resorts, the opportunity to swim in the Mediterranean Sea, ripe fruits ... the advantages of relaxing in the country can go on and on, but it’s better to go there yourself and see everything. But first, it’s better to find out where Tunisia is located on the world map, which seas wash it and who is the neighbor of the state. And so, let's begin our story.

Tunisia itself is located in the north of the African continent. But north doesn't mean cold. There is no such thing as winter here. In the winter month, the air temperature is around +15 degrees, which is very good for relaxing all year round.
In the summer months, it's just hellishly hot. The air often warms up to +40 and sometimes even higher. The best time of the year for a beach holiday is the beginning of autumn: September and October.

On land, Tunisia borders Libya and Algeria. And the coast of the country is washed by the Mediterranean Sea.
The area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe state is not very large, and about a fifteenth of Tunisia is occupied big lake Schott-Jerith. But, and the main part of the state is occupied by the Sahara desert, excursions to which are an integral part of a holiday in Tunisia.

World map with Tunisia.

In general, Tunisia is considered the northernmost point in Africa. From here, "at hand" to Europe and especially close to Italian islands Sicily and Sardinia. Also close to the sea is Malta.

Tunisia itself has islands that are a great place to relax in summer and autumn. The most famous island is Djerba. And Carcana is less known, but also visited by tourists.

Since we touched on the topic of resorts, there are about ten of them in Tunisia. The island of Djerba is considered the main one and tourists from Russia and Europe rest on it.
Sousse is the second most popular resort in the country. It is also a beautiful city with many attractions and beautiful places.
It is impossible not to single out Monastir. There is an airport near the resort, so the place is considered very convenient for recreation. The city also has attractions, palaces and fortresses.

It is the smallest country in North Africa. And if you consider that half of the country is occupied by the desert and there is also a huge lake there, then the country seems to be completely tiny.

Few people know, but Tunisia occupies an honorable second place in terms of the number of beautiful places in the world. Beautiful places mean sights, palaces and castles, fortresses, nature reserves and much more. For excursions, the country is just a godsend.
Roofs in the country are made flat so that they heat up less. So the houses are cool and there are many times less fires.
Cactus is grown in Tunisia. This is the main fruit of the country and it is eaten, medicines are made and used for other purposes.

This is what Tunisia is like. And now you know where it is!

Geography: Tunisian Republic(Al-Jumhuriya at-Tunisia), a state in the North. Africa. Washed in the north and east mediterranean sea, in the west and southwest it borders on Algeria, in the southeast - on Libya. The area is 164.2 thousand square meters. km.

Time: Behind Moscow by 2 hours in summer and 3 hours in winter.

Natural and climatic conditions: Tunisia occupies the coastal plains, the eastern part of the Atlas Mountains (up to 1544, the city of Shambi) and northern part deserts of the Sahara. The climate is subtropical Mediterranean, tropical desert in the south. The average January temperatures in the north are 10 °С, in the south 21 °С, in July 26 and 33 °С, respectively, precipitation per year is from 100 mm in the south to 1500 mm on the Sev. Tel. The main river of Megera. In the mountains - deciduous and evergreen forests, including cork oak, in semi-deserts - alpha grass. National parks - Akshel, Bu-Khedma, etc., reserves, reserves.

Political system: The head of state is the president. The legislative body is the Chamber of Deputies.

Administrative-territorial division: 23 vilayets (governorships).

Population: 10 million people (2004), mostly Tunisians (Arabs of Tunisia).

Language: Official language- Arabic, French in some areas is used more often than Arabic.

Religion: The state religion is Islam.

Economy: Tunisia - agrarian and raw materials. country, one of the most developed in Africa. Share in GDP (1994,%): agriculture 13, mining 4, manufacturing 18. Cereals, olive tree, citrus fruits, grapes are cultivated. Extensive cattle breeding. Blanks (for export) of cork oak bark. Fishing. Extraction of phosphorites, oil. Food, textile, metallurgical, chemical, cement enterprises. Electricity generation 7.6 billion kWh (1995). Length (1997, thousand km) of railways 2.1, roads 22.5. Main seaports: Tunisia, Sfax, Bizerte, Gabes, Sehira. Export: oil and oil products, textiles, olive oil, wines, phosphorites. Main foreign trade partners: EU countries, Japan.

Currency: Dinar, equal to about $1 (floating rate), equal to 1000 millimeters.

Main attractions: Tunisia is a fairly young tourist country in the modern sense - its intensive development began only in the 80s of the twentieth century. But in historical plan- this is one of the most ancient resorts in the world - even in the days of the Phoenicians, Ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire, representatives of the nobility rested here. Now Tunisia is 1200 km. sandy beaches, hundreds of modern hotels, excellent springs thermal waters on which modern balneological centers are built, as well as many historical monuments.

Tunisia (founded in the 9th century BC) - the capital (since 1956) and main port country, located on the shores of the lake of the same name. This is a very original city that combines the most modern resort centers, traditional Muslim architecture, numerous markets and excellent museums. The center of Tunisia is considered to be the walled Medina ("old city"), spread around the mosque of Jami ez-Zeytun (Zituna, "Olive Mosque", 703) - the spiritual center of the country, surrounded by numerous madrasahs. The narrow streets, mosques, markets and shops of the Medina are the main attraction of the city. In the upper part of the Medina, next to the Kasbah ("citadel"), is the Government Square, around which the institutions are located. state power countries, among which the most colorful building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Dar el-Bey (Bey's House).

Nearby is the Souq el-Attarin, the most exotic quarter of the city, which grew up on the site of a medieval incense market. Here and now they sell various perfumes and spices. The palaces of Dar Osman (XVII century) with the Museum of Applied Arts and Dar ben Abdallah (XVIII-XIX centuries) with the city Museum of Art and Folk Traditions, decorated with multi-colored marble and paintings, have survived. Among other historical buildings, the attention of the Yusuf Bey Mosque (1616) and Hamud Pasha (XVII century), the Hassanid mausoleum Turbet el-Bey, the mosque and mausoleum of Sidi Mahrez (Abu Mohammed Mahreza es-Sadiq), the Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul, as well as the oldest building in the city - Dar el-Haddat. Medina of Tunisia in 1981 was included in the UN World Heritage List.

One of the main attractions of the capital - National Museum Alaun (Bardo Museum) in the Dar Hussein (Bardo) Palace near the Tunisian Parliament is the most big museum Maghreb with the world's largest collection of Roman mosaics, as well as with extensive collections of archaeological finds from all eras. The public library of the city is the largest (after Cairo) repository of Arabic literature in the Islamic world, and the University of Tunisia is almost as old as the famous Oxford.

central Street Tunisia, the picturesque Habib Bourguiba Avenue, goes from the gate of Bab el-Bahar ("French Gate", XIII century) of the Medina to Lake El-Bahira. Be sure to visit the extensive covered market with all the attributes of oriental trading life, numerous small markets in the Medina area, Belvedere Park, which houses the Dah Dah Zoo and Amusement Park, as well as the small Salammbo Oceanographic Museum in the suburbs of the capital.

North of the respectable area of ​​La Goulette, 35 km. from the capital, there are the ruins of ancient Carthage (founded in 814 BC) - the capital of one of the great states of antiquity. Here was the center of the trading empire of the Phoenicians, which included almost the entire Mediterranean, trade routes through the Sahara and Western Asia converged here, the famous battles of the Punic wars thundered here and great empires flourished. To this day, here, on the slopes of Birsa hill, the ruins of the baths of Antoninus Pius have been preserved - one of the largest resort complexes of that time, second in size only to the baths of Trajan in Rome, numerous Roman villas, the remains of the Capitol, an amphitheater for 50 thousand spectators, reservoirs and 70 -kilometer aqueduct laid in Carthage from the temple of Water in Zigvan, an ancient cemetery on the site of the temples of Tanit and Baal (Ammon), as well as numerous ancient port facilities stretching along the entire coast. Most of buildings of the ancient period is badly destroyed. From later eras, the ruins of numerous Byzantine churches remained, the Saint-Louis Cathedral (1890) in the back aisle of which the National Museum is located, the Cathedral of St. Cyprian and the Lavigerie Museum.

You can also visit Zigwan (40 km. from Tunis) with its ruins of the Water temple, forum, capitol, market, temple of Mercury and baths. Fans of Roman antiquity will be interested in the complex of the ruins of Tuburbo Maius with the remains of a Roman city, forums, the Colosseum, temples, baths and gyms. The pearl of Tunisia is called the town of Sidi Bou Said, whose houses nestled at the foot of the cliff are painted in dazzling white and blue, a "ribat" (fortress) rises on the top of the rock, and from the observation deck at the lighthouse on top of the rock (by the way - built of ruins of a fort from the 9th century) offers a stunning view of the capital and its surroundings. This amazing place for walking among the narrow cobbled streets lined with old stone slabs. The Orthodox Church of Alexander Nevsky, built by Russian sailors in 1939, is also charming (almost all of them rest here, in the church cemetery.

Hammamet is an ancient fishing port and one of the most popular sea ​​resorts country, located on the coast, 70 km. southeast of the capital. On the site of the city in 180 AD. e. the Roman colony of Putput appeared, later renamed by the Arabs in Hammamet ("a place for bathing"). Medina - the main historical attraction of the city, is a quadrangular fortress on the very seashore, with the Great Mosque (X century) and the market. The buildings of the city are designed in the traditional Arabic style, with harmonious arches and domes, but even a pair of identical buildings cannot be found here - each of them has its own unique architectural form. Near the medina is the former tomb of Sidi Bou-Hadid, as well as the picturesque house of George Sebastian, built using antique elements, in whose garden an annual International Festival arts. It is interesting to visit the Fabiland Children's Amusement Park, the 1001 Nights amusement park and the water park, or the largest golf club in the country - Golf Citrus, see the numerous luxury hotels located among groves and gardens, and also spend time on the beautiful beaches of the city stretching for almost 14 km. or improve your health in the best thalassotherapy centers in the country - Bioazur, Royal Thalassa (the largest in the Mediterranean) and Nahraves Center.

In the southern part of the city is the young resort area of ​​Yasmine Hammamet (or "Hammamet-Zud") - one of the largest and most modern in the country. The complex includes several beaches, the port of Marina with the possibility of mooring up to 740 pleasure boats, a well-planned promenade with many establishments, a modern Medina, a children's entertainment center Carfagoland, landscaped city parks with fountains, dive centers, numerous discos, casinos, restaurants and golf courses. club. It offers a wide variety of boat trips and water activities.

7 km. north of Hammamet is founded in the IV century. BC e. the city of Nabeul (Nabeul, former Neapolis) is the center of the country's pottery production, famous, in addition to its blue glazed ceramics, for the excellent Souq el-Juma market, a small Archaeological Museum, folk cuisine, wines and a coastline indented with rocky grottoes.

On the northern coast of the country lie rocky beaches"Coral Coast", surrounded by cliffs, reefs and historical ruins.

Bizerte (65 km north of Tunis) is famous for its magnificent forests on the slopes of an extinct volcano towering above it, as well as a huge casbah (VI-XVII centuries AD), the Spanish Fort (1570), an ever-noisy port, a small but very informative oceanographic museum in the premises of the "small fort", the white marble Martyrs' Square, Grand Mosque(1652) with a striking octagonal minaret, the Yusef Dey fountain (1642), picturesque Moorish houses, the amazing beauty of Lake Eshkel (Garaet Ishkel, 30 km southwest of Bizerte) and a wonderful fish market. Nearby is Shemtu, a relatively new archaeological site, where the ruins of the Roman forum and theater, ancient marble quarries and numerous buildings were discovered.

Tabarka ("a place covered with bushes"), located at the foot of the Krumiriya mountain range, is an ancient Phoenician port with Genoese fortress(XVI century), picturesque cliffs, which received the name "Needles" for their shape, and an ideal place for lovers of diving and fishing. 105 km. southwest of Tunisia lies the ancient Dugga (Thugga) - the most grandiose Roman ruins of Tunisia. Here, in the valley of the Mejerda River, the arch of Alexander Severus, the ruins of the Forum with the Capitol (166 AD) and the temple of Saturn, the mosaic Square of the Winds, the sanctuary of Juno Celeste, the well-preserved portico of the Capitoline temple, the Punic mausoleum of Ateban (III-II centuries BC), baths, the House of Dionysus, the House of Ulysses with beautiful mosaics (exhibited in the Bardo Museum) and a theater cut into the slope (188 AD) for 3.5 thousand seats.

The "Pearl of the Plain" Sousse (140 km south of Tunis) was founded by the Phoenicians in the 11th century. BC e. under the name of Hadrumet, later renamed by the vandals who captured it into Hunerikopolis, and by the Byzantines - into Justinianpolis. The medieval monastery-fortress Ribat (IX century) with powerful walls and a 30-meter tower, the Great Mosque and vast catacombs (over 5 km long) with 25,000 burials of the early Christian era are the main attractions of the city. The Sousse Museum houses Roman mosaics from the 3rd-4th centuries, which are considered the best found in Africa, and in the vicinity of the city there are the remains of Phoenician tombs, Roman houses and Byzantine fortifications.

5 km. north of Sousse is the world-famous resort area of ​​Port El Kantaoui - a luxurious and fairly modern tourist complex with a full range of facilities for entertainment and recreation - the artificial Marina Bay, the Oasis Park El Kantaoui Botanical Garden with a huge collection of rare plants, a water park, numerous shopping centers, the Miramar Golf casino, the Samara and Moroccan discos, the Ice Cream House, the Brau beer bar with its own brewery, one of the largest golf clubs in Tunisia, as well as a diving center and a yacht club. Nearby lies the charming coastal village of Ergla, with its majestic Sidi Bou Mendil Mosque.

The "Holy City" of Kairouan is 60 km away. southwest of Sousse. Founded in 670 AD e., Kairouan in the Islamic world is considered the fourth most important shrine after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. In the Maghreb countries, it is believed that the sevenfold pilgrimage to Kairouan is equivalent to the Hajj to Mecca. Its large mosque of Sidi Okba with a forest of marble columns brought from Carthage and a mighty minaret in the form of a 100-meter three-tiered pyramid tower is one of the masterpieces of Islamic architecture. Of interest are the Bardobrey Mosque with the tomb of the personal hairdresser of the Prophet Muhammad - Abu Jama el-Balawi (Sidi Zahib), the Three Doors Mosque (IX century), the cult source of Bir Barut, where a golden bowl from Mecca was found, Kairouan madrasahs, a cemetery where the soul came from a Muslim goes straight to paradise, irrigation basins located near the city wall (9th century), a carpet weaving center (Kairouan is the center for the production of famous knotted carpets), the National Museum of Islamic Art and the ruins of the princely palace in Rekkada.

24 km. south of Sousse lies Monastir (Phoenician Rus Penna, later Roman Ruspenna), the ancient religious capital of Tunisia and the modern international center recreation. The main historical attraction of Monastir is the remains of Rabat Khartem, a defensive structure of the 8th century, which later became part of a powerful kasbah fortress, the gates of Bab-as-Sur and Bab-ad-Derb (XIII century), a vaulted mosque (IX-XI centuries) , decorated with four domes Mausoleum of the first president of independent Tunisia, Habib Bourguiba, the Museum of Islamic Art with a luxurious collection of ancient manuscripts, fabrics and glassware of the Fatimid era, as well as the mosque of Imam Sidi Ali el-Mezeri in the huge Kubbu cemetery, which is considered to be buried by Muslims great honor. The coast here is quite "boring", but the hotel pools are created with the latest design and technology.

North of Monastir, almost 6 km. an unbroken chain of hotels stretches resort area Skanes with a great golf club and an excellent riding school.

45 km. south of Monastir lies the ancient Punic port and the capital of Tunisia in the era of the Fatimids - Mahdia. The main highlight of the area - luxurious beaches with white sand and a relatively small number of tourists. Of interest are the medieval medina, the center of souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants, the picturesque promenade, the delightful little Place du Cairo with the octagonal minaret of the Mustafa Gamza mosque (1772), the Great Mosque (1965) - an exact copy of the mosque built in 921, destroyed in 1554 by the Spaniards, the small mosque of Slimane Gamza, the Museum of Islamic Culture, the National Museum of Mahdia at the gates of Skif el-Kala, the Borj el-Kebir fortress (XVI century), the Punic cemetery with the Salatka Museum and diving centers.

The second largest city of Tunisia after the capital - Sfax, lies south of Mahdia, on the northern cape of the Gulf of Gabes. In this large industrial city, nevertheless, many interesting tourist sites have been preserved - the walls of the Aghlabite Medina with the wide gates of Bab ed-Diwan ("Gate of the Council", XIV century), the mosques of Jami el-Azuzane ("Mosque of the Two Old a minaret and Sidi El-Bahri ("Lord of the Sea"), three monumental arches, the Dar Jellouli Palace (XVII century), which now houses the Museum of Folk Traditions, as well as the Archaeological Museum. 20 km. from Sfax lies the archipelago of Kerkenna, covered with palm groves, a new and just starting to develop tourist area. On the islands of Sidi Frej (Ramla), Shargi (Greater Kerkenna) and Gharbi (Melita) you can enjoy a secluded holiday surrounded by the purest sea.

The bay is closed by the city of Gabes, named Tacapsa by the Romans. Lying on the edge of the Great Desert, it is a vast oasis of three hundred thousand palm trees. During the battles of World War II, this ancient city lost almost all of its sights, and today it is of interest only as a starting point for numerous tours and safaris in the sands of the Sahara. In the center of the city lies the "Heart of Ueda" - a reservoir that gives life to the city, spreading a whole system of irrigation canals in all directions.

The island of Djerba has been known since antiquity. Even Odysseus, who first visited this island, called it the "island of lotophages" (lotus eaters). Even today, this resort is connected to the continent by an ancient Roman road. In addition to good beaches with clear water, the sights of the island are one of the most ancient synagogues in the world and a place of pilgrimage for Jews from all over the world - Mushroom (VI century BC) in Riyadh (the scrolls of one of the oldest Torahs in the world are kept here and rests one of the authors of the Talmud - Shimon Bar Yashai). Also of interest are the fort Borj el-Kebir ("big tower", XIII century) in the city of Houmt Souk, the Museum of Local Lore in the mausoleum of Sidi Zitouni, as well as many mosques, among which stand out Jamaa el-Gorba, Eh Sheikh and Jamaa Etruk, belonging to different directions in Islam. In the labyrinths of Medina Houmt Souk, dozens of "menzeli" houses with domes in the traditional Arab architectural style lurk, and legends say, countless treasures of the legendary pirate Drogut Reis are hidden in the coastal cliffs.

The interior, desert regions of the country are often no less interesting than sea ​​coast. 30 km. west of Mahdia (210 km. south of Tunisia) lies the famous El Jem(Roman Fisdrus), famous for its perfectly preserved huge Colosseum (230-238 AD, listed as a World Heritage Site by the UN) 38 m high and 430 m in diameter - its three floors accommodated up to 40 thousand spectators (according to largest - the third in the world and the first in terms of safety). The dungeons that kept gladiators and wild animals have survived. Every year from July to August, classical music festivals are held in the arena of the Colosseum - the acoustics of this building are simply magnificent. El Jem also has a good Archaeological Museum with an interesting collection of Roman mosaics.

The largest city in the south of Tunisia and one of ancient cities Tunisia - Gafsa, in which the fortress of the XV century and the Great Mosque are interesting. In the "capital of the oases" Tauzare (Tozeur), it is worth getting acquainted with the "date markets", one of the best museums in the country, Dar Sherait, the Blad el-Hadhar mosque (XI century), the labyrinth of streets of the old city of Ouled el-Hadef, the zoo (this in the desert !!) and the sorrealist salt marsh Chott El Jerid, the entire surface of which is covered with a salt layer of 50 m.

Between Gafsa and Tauzar stretch the most beautiful landscapes, including the most beautiful oases in Tunisia - Mides, Chebika and Tamerza, in which more than one hundred films were shot. To the north of Gafsa lies Sbeitla (ancient Sefetula), rightfully proud of the best preserved ensemble of Roman buildings in the country - Triumphal Arch, the gate of Antoninus Pius, the arch of Diocletian, the ruins of the Forum and the Capitol with the temples of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva and the theater, as well as the tomb of the Christian martyr - Bishop Yukundus, Byzantine defensive structures and Christian churches of the 4th-5th centuries.

The "capital of the Sahara" - Nefta, is considered the second religious center of the country after Kairouan, and has 24 mosques with golden domes, many of which were built in the period of the 15th-16th centuries. The so-called "basket" is also located here - a hollow in the rock, giving rise to many of the purest artesian springs that give life to a waterless desert.

The "Gate of the Desert" - Douz, is surrounded on all sides by the dunes of the desert and is famous for its carefully preserved traditions, the "Sahara festival", the traditional bazaar and its date groves (it is claimed that there are more than 800 thousand date palms). From Douz, you can go on a multi-day trip across the Sahara, visit the El Khofra region, where stone and sandy deserts converge, or visit the unique mountainous region of Matmata (400 km south of Tunisia), where the most "wild" landscapes lie, where filming " star Wars" Lucas and where the oldest rock settlement of the country is located. Dozens of fortified settlements-castles "ksars" and Berber settlements are scattered throughout the area, such as Medenine, Metamera, Dzhuama, Tatawin, Duire, Chenini or Germessa.

Historical outline: OK. 12th c. BC e. Phoenician colonies were founded on the territory of Tunisia, the main of which was Carthage. In the 2nd century BC e. the Romans captured the territory of northeastern Tunisia, to the middle. 1 in. n. e. all of Tunisia.

From the 5th c. under the rule of the Vandals, then Byzantium. From the beginning 8th c. within the Arab Caliphate. Since 800 an independent state. In 909, the Fatimid state was founded in Tunisia. In 1160-1229. in the state of the Almohads. In 1229-1574. Tunisia was ruled by the Hasufsids. In 1574-1881. within the Ottoman Empire; from 1705 the country was ruled by beys from the Husseinid dynasty. In 1881-1956. French protectorate (see Bardo Treaty). Since March 1956 Tunisia has been an independent state. Since 1957, the president (since 1975 for life) has been J. Bourguiba, chairman of the ruling Desturov Socialist Party (founded in 1934, since 1988 the Democratic Constitutional Association, DKO). In 1987, J. Bourguiba was removed from the presidency. In 1983 and 1987, a number of political parties were legalized. In 1988 a new constitution was adopted. The country is being democratized and the economy is being liberalized.

National holiday: March 20 (Date of Independence from France).

National domain: .TN

Entry rules: Tourists do not need a visa - a visa is put in the passport right at the airport for free. Russian citizens arriving on a private trip on a visa issued by the Tunisian embassy are not subject to registration. There are no restrictions on movement within the country. Tropical vaccination required.

Customs regulations: The import of foreign currency is not limited, national - is prohibited. Export of imported foreign currency is allowed. The national currency is changed to foreign within 30% of the exchange amount, but not more than 100 dinars per person. The transit of antiquities and narcotic substances is prohibited.

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