About Tunisia

An African balcony on the Mediterranean

Tunisia happens where the Sahara desert slowly gives way to olive groves and the blue Mediterranean. At the intersection of two opposite worlds and many more cultures, Tunisia has emerged as one of Africa's success stories.

Geography & climate

Wedged between Algeria to the west and Libya to the east, Tunisia is a north African country facing the Mediterranean Sea.

The country’s climate varies considerably, with a temperate climate along its north and eastern coast, while further inland to the south a semi-arid, desert climate prevails. In the Atlas Mountains, a long mountain chain that stretches across North Africa, the climate is temperate, with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.

Nature

The climatic variations found in Tunisia allow for the existence of forests, humid zones, littoral zones and steppes. The country’s biodiversity is reflected in this variety of ecosystems, with at least 3,573 plant species identified in the country, along with 362 bird species, 63 reptile species and 78 mammal species.

Population & religion

Most Tunisians are Arab, and the remainder of the population consist of Berbers, who are considered the first people to have arrived in the area that is now Tunisia. There is also a long-established Jewish community. Today, Tunisians are an amalgamation of Phoenician, Arab, Ottoman Turkish, and French influences, among several others.

Although standard Arabic is Tunisia's official language, the prevailing dialect is Tunisian Arabic, which is closely related to Maltese. French language is used in education, the press and for business. The small Berber community speaks Shelha, a Berber language.

Almost all Tunisians are Muslim, but small populations of Christians and Jews also live in Tunisia.

Economy & development

Agriculture, mining, energy, tourism, petroleum, and the manufacturing sectors are some of the economic mainstays of the economy. By implementing progressive trade policies and increasing its trade with economic blocks such as the European Union, Tunisia has created opportunities that have helped it become one of the better performing economies in Africa.

Almost three quarters of Tunisians above the age of 15 could read in 2004, while life expectancy was 74 years.