Bolg is a writer. Bulgarian literature

Tunisia is a country of jasmine, clean beaches and coffee. The Republic of Tunisia is located in northern Africa, on the Mediterranean coast, bordering on land with Libya And Algeria. The capital of the state is the same name as the country, Tunisia, which is also the largest city. More than 10 million people live in the Tunisian Republic.

Arab culture and the charm of France are surprisingly intertwined here. And although official language country is Arab, many of its residents speak French well - this is due to the relatively recent colonial past.

The state religion here is considered Islam Sunni persuasion, and the currency is Tunisian dinar.

Climate and weather

The climate of Tunisia is quite warm, subtropical. In summer the temperature varies from +22 before +32 °С. And the winters here are mild - from +5 before +12 °С. Hard to bear sirocco wind, blowing from the south of the country, then the maximum temperatures in Tunisia reach +50 °С. The tourist season here begins in April, when the water warms up to +20 °С, air - up to 23 -25 °C, and ends in mid-October.

Nature

In the north of Tunisia is mountain system Tell Atlas. A very large part of the country is desert Sahara, in which oases are located. Olive trees and date palms grow there. In Tunisia it is very great attention is devoted to environmental protection. It’s not for nothing that this country is considered the cleanest of all African countries. It is noteworthy that there are no snakes, spiders, scorpions and other dangerous animals and insects in the tourist areas.

Attractions

Arriving in Tunisia, you should definitely look at ruins of Carthage. This is a very beautiful and frequently visited place in the country. Also in Tunisia you can see Christian catacombs and Phoenician tombs, as well as city ​​of Douz, which hosts the Sahara Festival and camel racing.

Tunisia also has its own Colosseum. It is somewhat smaller than the Roman one, but much better preserved. It is worth seeing the Great Mosque in Kairouan, the oldest in Africa. It was built back in the 7th century, then rebuilt in the 9th century. It is often compared in importance to Medina, Mecca and Jerusalem.

It's also interesting to see " Dar Essid"- the dwelling of a wealthy citizen of the 10th century, where the interior of that time has been restored, as well as clothing and utensils from past centuries have been collected. IN Djerba You can take a look at the Crocodile Farm.

Nutrition

Culinary traditions are revered in Tunisia. For example, a Tajin pot made of clay with a dome-shaped lid has been used here for more than a millennium. It serves many interesting dishes, such as poultry or meat stews with vegetables, lemon and olives. The whole process takes almost 3 hours. After all, in Muslim countries it is not customary to eat meat with blood, it is well fried.

The soup is very tasty" Shorba"of veal and vegetables, and for the main course you can order " Brick» - pancakes stuffed with tuna and egg. There are many varieties of fresh fish here, and it is deliciously prepared with peppers and tomatoes.

For dessert you can try aside, baklava, mahrud or muffins. And for drinks - fig gin or wine, juice or palm milk.

Accommodation

Any resort town in Tunisia has a large number of hotels for every taste, from 3 to 5 stars.

Renting a house or apartment will also not be a problem. The prices here are quite reasonable. A day in a two-room apartment (there are no one-room apartments in Tunisia) will cost 20 -40 $ , and a house for 4-6 beds will cost from 60 $ per day.

Entertainment and relaxation

Tunisia has a large selection of different types of outdoor activities.

Tourists here will be able to play golf on luxurious courses, surf on the crests of waves, and also master yachting and diving.

Party-goers and casino lovers should go to Sousse. There's a casino there Caraibe, which has about 300 slot machines, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and poker. It is not at all necessary to play in a casino. You can watch a show or sit at the bar and enjoy beautiful live music. Casino visitors must be over 21 years of age. Discotheques are very popular in Sousse. Samara King And Maracana.

Purchases

Many shops and shops in the recreation areas of Tunisia are open every day except Sunday, and are open from 7:00 to 12:00, then a break and in the afternoon from 16:00 to 19:00. But in the bazaars of Tunisia, many shops do not have a specific opening hours. The most common souvenirs that tourists buy are jewelry made from coral, silver and onyx, as well as many ceramics and carpets. Don’t be shy about haggling—it’s a tradition in Arab countries.

With the onset of the month of Ramadan, all shops, shops and even banks in Tunisia close in the afternoon.

Transport

In Tunisia, you can get from one city to another by taking a high-speed train. Tickets are sold at stations, and their cost depends only on the distance of travel. You can also travel to another city by bus, which will definitely have air conditioning, and tourists will not have to suffer from the heat. Tickets for them are purchased directly from the conductor.

Minibuses travel around the resort areas; travel costs 0.5 TND ( 0,31 $ ). White minibuses also ply around Tunisia - “ luages" They come in several types; you can determine the type of taxi by the stripe (yellow - urban, blue - suburban, red - intercity). The fare is 1-2 TND ( 0,62-0,93 $ ) within the city and 4-6 TND ( 1,86-2,79 $ ) between cities.

Connection

Any tourist on vacation in Tunisia can safely call any city or country not only from the hotel, but also from pay phones. They are located along the streets of Tunis, many work around the clock. A domestic call will cost 0.5 TD ( 0,31 $ ) and 100 millimes ( 0,062 $ ), for international calls - from 1 TD ($0.62). In a hotel, such a service will cost 2-3 times more.

To call another country, you need to dial 00 (international call), then the country code and city code, and then the subscriber number itself.

Safety

It is prohibited to transport antiques, weapons and ammunition, photo and video products with pornographic content, products made from the skins of protected animals and some medicines. The import of national currency is also prohibited.

Business climate

It is very profitable to do business in Tunisia; there are strong tax incentives.

Back in the early 90s, the country adopted a number of laws that provide for the provision of a considerable set of tax benefits for international companies involved in tourism , engineering, electronics, food or agricultural (especially fishing) and service industries. Here, trading companies can obtain a permit that will allow them to do business under a preferential tax system.

Real estate

Citizens of other countries can buy a house or apartment in Tunisia only within the city or town. In this country, legislation prohibits foreigners from acquiring land and building buildings on it. But you can buy vacant areas for development or lease them for 40 years. Then the rental period can be easily extended an unlimited number of times.

The smallest type of housing in Tunisia is a one-bedroom apartment, it consists of two rooms and a kitchen. The apartments have no corridor, only a square-shaped hall. Apartments for sale are already equipped with household appliances. Real estate prices will depend on the proximity of the property to the sea. When purchasing real estate, foreigners are granted a residence permit for a period of 1 year. Then it can be easily extended. There are no restrictions on the number of renewals of a residence permit.

Unlike other Muslim countries, the day off in Tunisia is not Friday, but Sunday. On Saturday, most government agencies have shortened working hours. But museums here are usually closed on Mondays.

Tipping is not mandatory in Tunisia. However, they are welcome, as in any other country. It is customary for maids to give tips only in their hands - they will not dare to take money simply left in the room.

Do not forget that even though Tunisia is a fairly democratic country, it is better to wear shorts and open T-shirts only within recreation areas or in hotels. And when the Ramadan holiday begins, you should refrain from smoking, drinking and eating on the streets of the country. Also in Tunisia, it is better not to drink alcohol outside the hotel; it is considered indecent on the streets or beaches.

Visa information

Visas for Russian citizens are issued completely for free,if your stay in Tunisia is no more than 30 days. They are added to your passport right at the airport. There you also need to fill out an immigration card. Guests must present their travel agency voucher and return tickets upon arrival.

If you are planning an independent trip to Tunisia for more than a month, please contact the consular section of the Tunisian Embassy in Russia. Embassy address: Moscow, st. M. Nikitskaya, 28, building 1. Phone number of the consular section: (+7 495) 291 62 23.

Little Tunisia is a real African pearl on the coast Mediterranean Sea. Even the ancient Romans appreciated all the delights of this country, and therefore tried to capture it. Tunisia has a lot of historical attractions and beautiful Mediterranean beaches.

Tunisia is located in North Africa. In the west, Tunisia borders on Libya, in the southeast on Libya. In the north and east the country is washed by the Mediterranean Sea. The total area of ​​this state is 163,610 square meters. km., and the total length of the state border is 1,424 km.

In the north and north-west of Tunisia there is the Atlas mountain system stretching from the border with Algeria, in the center there is part of the Sahara Desert, in the east there is the El Hamra Desert. In the southwest of the country, tourists will also see the desert. Only about 4% of Tunisia's territory is occupied by forests and nature reserves. The highest local peak is Mount Jebel Chambi, whose height reaches 1,544 meters.

Tunisia has deposits of oil, phosphates, iron ore, zinc, lead and salt. Approximately 20% of the country's territory is pasture.

Tunis is the capital of Tunisia. The population of this city is now more than 1.3 million people. Archaeologists claim that human settlements on the site of the modern city of Tunisia by creatures already in the early Middle Ages.

The official language is Arabic.

About 98% of the inhabitants are Muslims.

According to the Constitution, Tunisia is a presidential republic. Its head is the President. The head of government is the Prime Minister.

The bicameral Tunisian parliament is called the National Constituent Assembly, it consists of the Chamber of Deputies (214 people) and the House of Councilors (112 people).

The main political parties are the Islamist Ennahda (Renaissance) Party, the People's Petition for Freedom, Justice and Development and the Congress for the Republic.

Administratively, the country is divided into 24 provinces (vilayets), which in turn are divided into 264 districts. Each province is headed by a governor.

The climate in the north of Tunisia, where tourists actually come, is typically Mediterranean. Summers are hot and dry, and winters are mild and rainy.

The most best time for holidays in Tunisia - from June to August. However, spring and autumn in this North African country have its advantages. For example, this is the best time to visit the desert areas of Tunisia (in the south and center of the country). December-February is considered low season in Tunisia. When hotel prices go down. Rain is possible during this period.

In the north and east the country is washed by the Mediterranean Sea. Length coastline is 1,148 km. The average water temperature off the coast in January-March is +16C, and in July-September - +25C.

The Medjerda River flows through Tunisia, which originates in Algeria. Its length is almost 460 kilometers. This is the largest river in Tunisia.

The culture of Tunisia was formed under the influence of the Phicians, Romans, nomadic Vandal tribes, Byzantines, Arabs, Turks, Spaniards and French. All of them left their mark on the history of this country. All this heritage is reflected in Tunisian literature, art, cinema, architecture, and music. By the way, Andalusian and Ottoman influences are especially noticeable in music.

The Tunisian government is trying to maintain the traditions of its people by organizing various festivals of music, poetry and folklore.

Tunisia hosts a large number of different festivals every year. The most popular of them are the Ksar Festival in Tatavin, the Rose Festival in Ariana, the Spring Festival and the Coral Festival in Tabarka, the Carthage Festival and the Medina Festival in the city of Tunis, the D'0ssou Festival in Sousse, and the Oasis Festival in Tozeur.

Tunisian cuisine is a synthesis of the culinary traditions of the Arabs, French, Mediterranean and Middle East. Local dishes are prepared with olive oil, anise, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, and saffron. Often mint, orange or rose water are added to dishes for flavor. Many dishes are served with harissa, a thick paste-like hot sauce, as well as chili pepper and garlic seasoning.

On the coast you will find a large number of fish and seafood dishes, and in the Sahara - Berber dishes. Couscous dishes, as well as fried marten and fried lamb dishes, are popular throughout Tunisia. Residents of this country love the salads they eat all year round(they are quite easy to prepare).

The dessert scene in Tunisia is not very good. But there are many different Arabic sweets, to which, as a rule, nuts are added, and then they are poured with honey or syrup.

We recommend trying the following dishes: Couscous (semolina and wheat flour with meat or fish sauce), Harissa (spicy sauce), Salade Mechouia (roasted vegetable salad), Tajine (spicy quiche , which is served cold), Brik (Tunisian version of the Turkish borek), Merguez (very spicy beef sausage), Filfil mahshi (stuffed peppers with harissa sauce), Lablabi (chickpea soup with garlic), Marqa (vegetable stew), Ojja (spicy Tunisian scrambled eggs made with tomatoes, peppers and sometimes meat).

Traditional soft drinks are “Thé à la menthe” (mint tea, often served with pine nuts), “Ahwa arbi” (Arabic coffee).

Traditional alcoholic drinks – “Boukha” (“Bukha” - fig vodka), “Thibarine (liqueur infused with herbs).

There are still many sights left in Tunisia from the times of Carthage. In the city of Tunis there are the ruins of the ancient city of Carthage, which once almost conquered the Roman Empire.

In the valley of the Medjerda River, 105 km southwest of the city of Tunis, there are Roman ruins of the ancient Roman city of Dugas, where you can see a theater with 3.5 thousand seats, the sanctuary of Juno Celeste, ancient Roman baths, the mausoleum of Ateban, the temple of Saturn, the arch of Alexander Severus , Square of the Winds, as well as the House of Dionysus.

About 40 km from Tunis is the city of Zigwan, where tourists will see the ruins of the Temple of Water, ancient Roman baths, the Temple of Mercury, as well as the Forum and the Capitol.

On the island of Djerba, we recommend visiting one of the most ancient synagogues in the world, Grib, located in Riyadh, which was founded in the 6th century. BC e., as well as the fort of Bordj el-Kebir, the mausoleum of Sidi Zitouni and the mosques of Jamaa el-Gorba and Jamaa Ettruk.

The most big cities– Tunisia, Sfax, Gabes, Ariana, Sousse and Bizerte.

Tunisia is famous all over the world for its magnificent beach resorts. These are, first of all, Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia, Port el Kantaoui, Hammamet and Yasmine Hammamet. Most hotels are located on the coast and have their own beaches. By the way, the beaches in Tunisia are magnificent with white sand. The best beaches, according to most experts, are in Mahdia and Sousse (due to the magnificent sand).

Almost every Tunisian beach resort has a well-developed recreation infrastructure with numerous shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

Tourists in Tunisia buy handicrafts, shoes, leather bags, belts, copper trays, bird cages, carpets, Jewelry, Tunisian fezzes (traditional oriental red hats), national clothing, perfume extracts, henna and much more.

Banks:
Mon-Fri: 08:00-16:00 (winter), 07:00 -11:30 (summer)

The shops:
Mon-Sat: 08:00-12:00 and 16:00-20:00 (summer), 09:00-13:00 and 15:00-19:00 (winter)

Tourists do not need a visa to visit Tunisia, but individuals do need a visa.

The Tunisian dinar is the official currency in Tunisia. Its international designation is TND. One Tunisian dinar = 1,000 millimes. Credit cards and travelers checks are widely accepted.

National flag of Tunisia.

Tunisia. View of the city.

Tunisia is a state in North Africa. The total area of ​​the country is 163 thousand sq. km. The capital is the city of Tunis. The population of Tunisia is 10.2 million people. 98% of the population professes Islam. The official languages ​​are Arabic and French. The monetary unit is the Tunisian dinar. Tunisia is a presidential republic. Tunisia is an agricultural and raw materials country, one of the most developed in Africa. Tunisia exports fruits, grains, olive oil.

Tunisia is located in the north of the African continent, bordering Algeria in the west and Libya in the southeast. The north and east of Tunisia are washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Tunisia is one of three Maghreb countries (along with Algeria and Morocco). Thanks to its peculiar shape, elongated, pointed with a wedge down, the territory of Tunisia resembles the wing of a bird. The Republic of Tunisia is divided into 23 governorates (vilayets), divided into 2,600 districts (delegations).

Tunisia. Atlas Mountains.

The country's topography is predominantly flat and hilly; about a third of the territory is occupied by the Atlas Mountains and intermountain plateaus. The main part of Tunisia is located on the coastal plains. The landscape of northern Tunisia, with its rugged banks, the fertile valley of the Medjerda River, and the Great Tell mountain range, is extremely close to that of southern Europe. This area has the most high mountain Shambi (1544 m) and the most famous mountains of Jabal Semmama and Jabal Tiusha. According to Muslim legend, a caravan of pilgrims was turned into this group of peaks.

The central part is a country of sand dunes and salt marshes (giant drainage depressions filled with saline water; another name for shotta). The south of Tunisia is a kingdom of deserts. In the southeast is the rocky Hammad desert, in the southwest is the sandy-gravelly Sarir desert, and to the south is Rmel el-Abiod, which is the northern tip of the Great Eastern Erg. The coastline is also very diverse: the northern shores are rocky and steep, with many small bays, while the eastern coast is famous for its sandbanks and countless islets. This is where the main centers of tourism are located: the capital of Tunisia with its suburbs, Hammamet, Nabeul, Sousse and Monastir.

Tunisia. Shebika mountain oasis. Waterfall.

The natural vegetation on the territory of Tunisia, inhabited since ancient times by farmers and pastoralists, has been greatly changed. Only on the northern coast can one now find shady “islands” of Mediterranean vegetation, especially protected in parks and gardens, where there are also a lot of imported ornamental subtropical plants. Some of them (agave, cactus, prickly pear) settled throughout most of Tunisia. In the mountains, on some northern slopes, there are wild olives, olive trees, cork and holm oaks, laurel, and wild roses. Vegetation in the desert part of Tunisia is very sparse. In the rocky Hamadeh desert, only thorny bushes and lichens grow, and on the dunes there are leafless desert trees: talha, etel. In the oases you can see orchards, almond and olive trees, groves of date palms, and on the edge of the shots the world-famous variety Deglet Nur - “fingers of light” - ripens.

Tunisia. Olive plantations.

The climate is formed, on the one hand, under the influence of the Mediterranean Sea (a dry subtropical climate predominates in the northern part of the country), and on the other hand, the Sahara Desert (a hot climate of tropical deserts predominates in the south). The average January temperature in the north is 10 °C, in the south 21 °C; the average July temperature is 26 °C and 33 °C, respectively. Due to the low humidity, even the July heat is relatively easily tolerated, so the high season is considered to be the period from May to September. The ideal time for traveling inland and into the desert is spring and autumn with moderately hot days and cold nights.

Story

Humanity conquered the territory of Tunisia more than a million years ago, and the first states arose here relatively early. In the 12th century BC. e. was considered the strongest state in the Mediterranean. The defeat of Carthage in the last of the three Punic wars with Rome made it a Roman province from the mid-2nd century AD. The lands of Tunisia remained in this situation until the 5th century AD, when, after the collapse of the greatest empire, the North African lands began to pass from one conqueror to another. In the 5th-7th centuries, the Vandals, Alans and Byzantium took turns taking possession of this area, until at the end of the 7th century the Arabs appeared and began to spread Islam throughout the territory of Tunisia.

In 800, Tunisia separated from the Arab Caliphate, creating its own state, and since the 13th century it has played important role V Arab world. But already at the end of the 16th century he recognized his dependence on Turkey, wanting to avoid encroachments on his sovereignty by Spain. In the 17th century, dependence on Turkey greatly weakened and was of a formal nature, which made it possible to introduce the first constitution in the country in 1861. In 1881, the French occupied Tunisia and attempts at resistance were suppressed. However, after the First World War they developed with renewed vigor.

The outbreak of World War II changed the political situation in the country for some time. In 1942, Tunisia was captured by German-Italian troops, and in 1943 by Anglo-French units. After the end of the war, colonialism was restored, but already in 1954 France granted Tunisia internal autonomy, and in 1956 - full independence. In July 1957, Tunisia declared itself a republic.

Attractions

The culture of Tunisia is closely linked to its history. Historical and archaeological complexes: Utica (one of the first Phoenician colonies, founded in 1101 BC) and Carthage (the capital of the Carthaginian state, founded in 814 BC) - invariably attract not only tourists, but also historians and archaeologists. Utica is located halfway between Bizerte and Tunisia. The remains of Roman residential buildings, an amphitheater, baths, cisterns and an aqueduct have survived to this day.

Carthage is rightfully considered one of the small wonders of the world. For two centuries now, excavations have been carried out on the territory of the city, destroyed by the Romans in 146 BC. e. Mainly the remains of Roman buildings have been preserved - the capitol, the amphitheater, the grandiose Baths of Actoninus - as well as Byzantine churches. Finds from the ruins of Carthage are kept here, in the Lavigerie Museum.

120 km from the capital of the country you can see perhaps the most interesting ancient center of Tunisia - the ancient city of Dougga. Dougga is a Phoenician (4th century BC), then Numidian (2nd century BC) and finally Roman (from 46 BC) city. The Punic mausoleum, a monument built in honor of three gods - Jupiter, Juno and Minevra, the temple of the goddess Juno Celeste, a Roman bath, a triumphal arch and other ancient structures have been preserved here.

Safetula - ruins of a Roman and Byzantine city near present-day Sbeitla. In Safetula you can see the remains of the Roman forum and the Capitol with the temples of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, Byzantine churches. The town of Fisdrus, now El Jem, is located halfway between Sousse and Sfax. It has a perfectly preserved building of the Colosseum, oval in plan, surrounded by three-tier arcades (height - 36 m). The most interesting monuments of the Muslim Middle Ages are concentrated in Tunisia, Kairouan, Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia, and Sfax.

Tunisia is the capital and main port of the country, founded by the Phoenicians in the 10th century BC. e. The most interesting medieval part of Tunisia is Medina. The center of the Medina is occupied by a vast covered bazaar, adjacent to it is the Great Mosque (Olive Mosque). Second early monument Tunisia - cubic domed mausoleum of the Kharasanids. The city has many small mosques (built later in the 12th century), there are madrassas and zawiyas. The palaces of Dar al-Bey (18th century) and Darben Abdallah (18th-19th centuries) are decorated inside with multi-colored marble, carved knocks, and paintings. IN country palace Bardo (18th-19th centuries) is located National Museum"Alawi." The Museum of Islamic Art in Dar Hussein Palace has the world's largest collection of Roman mosaics.

Within the city of Kairouan (founded in 670), the first capital of the Muslim rulers of Tunisia, the small vaulted “Mosque of the Three Doors” (built in 866) and the Zawiya of Sidi al-Ghariani (14th century) attract attention; outside the city walls are the zawiya of Sidi Sahbi and the five-domed zawiya of Sidi Amar Abbas (19th century). The city has a Museum of Islamic Art.

In Sousse, located on the site founded in the 11th century BC. e. Phoenician city, perfectly preserved fortress walls (9th century) with a 30-meter Al-Khalifa tower. Interesting are the square ribat, the Great Mosque (built in 850), the Bu Fatata mosque (9th century); there is a Museum of Archeology and Islamic Art. In the vicinity of Sousse there are remains of Phoenician tombs, Roman houses, and Christian catacombs. Monastir grew up in the 8th–9th centuries on the site of the Phoenician and then Roman city of Ruspina. Its fortress walls, ribat (built in 796), Said Mosque attract attention large number tourists. Founded in 916, Mahdia has preserved the Great Mosque, the ruins of the palace and arsenal, and the Borj al-Kebir castle (16th century) with three corner bastions. In the south of Tunisia the most interesting site is Matmata. In its surroundings you can see numerous underground dwellings built by the Berbers. Most of these caves, dug to a depth of 10 m, are still inhabited by people.

Nabeul is a resort in Tunisia. A huge clay jug in front of the Nabeul railway station symbolizes that the city is the center of Tunisian pottery production. Nabeul, founded in the 4th century BC. e. and bearing the name Neapolis, is located 7 km north of Hammamet. Its population is 40 thousand inhabitants. Nabeul is often called the city of potters: colorful vases, jugs and dishes are displayed on the stone fences of houses and in the windows of numerous souvenir shops; the walls of houses and sidewalks are decorated with fantastic tiles. This is quite strange, since the local clay is not well suited for pottery and, for the production of most products, Kaolin clay, brought here from Krumiria, is used. Nabeulian craftsmen usually cover their products with a blue glaze in the so-called Anadalusian style. Most ceramic workshops are concentrated on Sidi Barket Street. The best place for shopping is the Souq el-Jumah market. Here, in addition to “branded” ceramics, paintings, perfumes, clothes, Leather Products, as well as various herbs, spices and, of course, dates. There is a small one in the city Archaeological Museum, located near the station. Finds from ancient Neapolis are exhibited here.

Sbeitla, or as the city is locally called, Soufetula, is located in the north of Tunisia. The city was built by the Romans in the 2nd century and still retains the signs of classical Roman buildings: the streets intersect at right angles. The city changed its face several times, and in the 5th century the Byzantines had a hand in its reconstruction. They significantly fortified the city, trying to make it more defensible. However, despite this, already in the 6th century Sbeitla was destroyed completely and irrevocably. The ancient city was restored by archaeologists, who dug up, restored and put in its place everything that could be saved.

The main interest is the well-preserved Capitoline temple, presumably dedicated to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. This is an architectural ensemble consisting of three temples. Usually the Capitoline triad was honored in the same temple. The question of why it was decided to move away from this tradition in Sufetula remains open to this day. The temples are connected by arches along which the priests could move from one building to another. In addition, the city has preserved the gate of Antoninus Pius, the triumphal arch, the arch of Diocletian, the ruins of a forum built in the Byzantine era and a theater, as well as the tomb of the Christian martyr Bishop Jucundus, Byzantine defensive structures and Christian churches of the 4th-5th centuries.

Tunisia. The Colosseum in the ancient Roman city of Tisdrus (now El Jem).

El Jem, a city in Tunisia known in Roman times as Thysdrus, was one of the largest cities in the African province of the Roman Empire and played a major role in the economy of the region, which traditionally traded olive oil. The time of the founding of the city of El-Jem has not yet been precisely determined by historians. It is only known that the first inhabitants of the city were Berbers. The heyday of El Jem in the 3rd century is associated with the arrival of the Romans. At that time, the best olive oil in the country was produced here. But in 238, the population of El-Jem overthrew the Roman governor Maximin and proclaimed their own emperor, Gordien.

However, it is to the Romans that modern El Jem owes the appearance of its most famous landmark in the world - the real Roman Colosseum. In 240, the Romans built an amphitheater (14.5 m long, 12.5 m wide and about 4 m high) in order to convince the Berbers that Rome had not fallen into decay. Gladiators were kept prisoner in the Colosseum, wild animals, slaves. The arena was the venue for famous gladiator fights, animal hunting, and slave wrestling. Performances, concerts, and city meetings also took place here. And now the Colosseum hosts annual festivals classical music. There are many legends associated with the city. Thus, it is believed that there is an underground tunnel connecting El Jem with Mahdia, which was dug for elephants carrying stones brought for the construction of villas. On the outskirts of the city there is an archaeological museum with beautiful Roman mosaics.

National cuisine

In Tunisia, the meal begins with kemiya - numerous appetizers, reminiscent of Spanish tapas and Greek mezes in the manner of serving. The main dish of Tunisian cuisine is couscous - steamed semolina porridge with lamb, chicken or fish and vegetables (potatoes, peas, carrots). Couscous is eaten with harissa - a puree of garlic, pepper and butter. A sweet version of couscous, mesrouf, is served on special occasions. Almonds, pistachios and dates are added to mesruf.

Among the first courses, we can highlight shakshuka - a soup made from eggs and vegetables and shorba - noodle soup with vegetables and lamb meat. Tunisians cook meat dishes well. Particularly soft meat in kamuniya - beef stew, is achieved through very long heat treatment. Meat dishes include lubia - beans with lamb, kusha - baked lamb shoulder with vegetables, nokhia - veal cutlets with spinach sauce, meshui - young lamb kebab, tajine - baked lamb with vegetables and eggs.

Tunisians cook many dishes with eggs. This is oja - an egg with all sorts of additives (spicy sausages, vegetables and spicy tomato sauce); dulma - stuffed vegetables; brik - triangular pies with eggs, potatoes, vegetables, tuna or minced meat, stirring - salad of tomatoes, peppers, tuna, onions and hard-boiled eggs with lemon and olive oil, asida - semolina porridge with egg and hazelnuts. For dessert in Tunisia they eat makrud - date cake and baklava - cakes with almonds, pistachios and orange blossom aroma.

Tunisia. Ancient city of Sbeitla. Three temples.

Tunisia. City of Sidi Bou Said. Coast.

It is not known exactly where the name came from, there are many versions. The first assumption is that from the Berber root “tns”, meaning “to lie down” or “camp”. The second interesting version is that the name comes from the name of the goddess Tanit (or Tunit), who was worshiped in Carthage.

Very interesting version that the name was derived from the word “tuna” or “tun”, meaning tuna fish. Of course, a lot of tuna is caught here, cans of canned tuna are one of them, along with olive oil. It is likely that the country could be called by the name of one of its main export products.

The country's population is almost 11 million people. Fewer people live in Tunisia than in Moscow.

The area of ​​the country is 163,600 square kilometers. This is comparable to the area of ​​the Perm Territory or the Tyumen Region.

Tunisia is the record holder in Africa and the Arab world for the number of students; there are 350-400 thousand of them here.

Accordingly, Tunisia leads Africa in the percentage of people with higher education.

Tunisia has a very small army - only 27,000 people, 84 main and 48 light tanks. The fleet consists of only 25 small patrol ships.

There are many more police officers (pictured on the right) in the country than military personnel. By the way, taking photos of the police in Tunisia is prohibited.

The most high point Tunisia - Mount Jabel ich Chammbi, height 1544 meters.

Tunisia has very low urbanization, with 67% of the population living in cities. For comparison, in Russia it is 73.7%.

The average life expectancy for men is 73.2 years, for women 77.4 years. For comparison, in Russia it is 65.9 and 76.7 years.

Tunisia has 1,148 kilometers of coastline, which has contributed to the development of tourism in the country; we’ll talk about the tourism industry in detail.

Tourism in Tunisia

Tourism contributes 7% of the country's GDP and employs 370,000 Tunisians. Until 2011, the tourism industry was experiencing rapid growth, the number of guests arriving annually was already approaching 10 million, but the revolution frightened tourists, and the economic crisis forced many to abandon seaside holidays for financial reasons. Now 5-6 million tourists arrive in Tunisia per year.

Another priority area for the authorities is golf, because golfers prefer autumn and spring, when it is not so hot. The main center of golf tourism in the country has become, the second center should soon become Yasmine Hammamet, where 4 more golf courses are being built. Another interesting group of tourists for the country are yachtsmen. Almost every Tunisian resort has a marina (small port for yachts).

And another important area is excursion holidays. Tunisia is rich in attractions from the era of the Roman Empire:,.

The Arab and Ottoman periods of the country's history left their own interesting sights: the Medina of Sousse, Kairouan,. The country has 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The authorities are trying to create conditions for winter excursion tourism, but the results are still modest.

Holidays in Tunisia have many other advantages. superior in quality to alcohol in hotels in Turkey or Egypt. The variety of dishes on the All Inclusive buffets is greater than in the above-mentioned competing countries. Sandy beaches considered one of the best in the Mediterranean.

The weaknesses of the Tunisian tourism industry are the narrow range of entertainment facilities. There are only three large water parks at the resorts: , and . There are no water parks in Southern Tunisia at all. Other interesting objects: , and on Djerba, that’s all.

For Russian tourists has its advantages: small and visa-free regime. The main disadvantage for Russians is the very poor knowledge of the Russian language by Tunisians. Often hotels simply do not have staff who speak Russian well enough. In this case, only a hotel guide will help.

Another disadvantage for tourists from Russia is that there are no direct regular flights between our countries, which makes independent holidays in Tunisia difficult.

Arabs live in Tunisia. Are they Arabs? (population)

Officially, the nationality of the residents is called “Tunisians,” but they themselves identify as Arabs. They speak the Tunisian dialect of Arabic.

Genetic studies show that the average resident of the country is only 20% Arab, and most of the genes are from Berbers and other indigenous peoples of North Africa. There are also marker genes from the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Spaniards, Italians, Turks, and French. The genes of Tunisians reflect richness as well as.

There is also an admixture of Russian blood among Tunisians. During World War II, the Germans sent 50,000 Soviet prisoners of war here as cheap work force for the construction of field structures and other household works. Most of our compatriots died from exhaustion and disease, but several thousand fled and disappeared into the countryside.

Before independence, many Europeans lived in Tunisia - about 500,000 - but they left the country in the next decade after Habib Bourguiba came to power. Since the 6th century BC. There was a large Jewish diaspora in the country, with the largest number of Jews living on the island of Djerba. As of 1948 there were 105,000 people. But with the formation of the State of Israel, they left there, now only 900 people remain.