Situated between Algeria and Libya, Tunisia is a destination that offers a Mediterranean haven for tourists from sun-starved countries in Northern Europe. Indeed, with more than 800 miles of shoreline Tunisian beaches attracts almost seven million visitors every year. The country is a blend of ancient and recent history, with sites like Carthage demonstrating the extent of the Roman Empire, and the European inspired architecture pointing to Tunisia’s not too distant colonial past. Here is more information about this North African country.
Short Historical Summary of Tunisia
Tunisia was settled by the Phoenicians in the ninth century BC. They founded the city of Carthage and used it as a trading port until they entered into a losing conflict with the Romans during the Punic Wars. The long parade of subsequent invaders consisted of Vandals, an East Germanic tribe with a bloody reputation, the Byzantines, Muslim Arabs, the Spanish and the Ottoman Turks. Finally, the French arrived in Tunisia and established the country as a protectorate in 1881.
Tunisia was the only Arab country to come under direct German occupation in World War II. They were forced to retreat by the Allies in 1943. In 1956, Tunisia gained full independence.
Places to See in Tunisia
Tunis is the capital city and the biggest attraction is the Bardo Museum. It’s filled with impressive ancient mosaics covering the Punic, Roman, Christian and early Islamic periods of Tunisian history. For an authentic North African experience, haggle over brassware, copper, pottery and spices in the medina, or old quarter.
Matmata, with its unearthly landscape and underground cave dwellings, was the filming location for the original Star Wars film. The Berber people dug their homes in the ground to escape the intense heat, and constructed tunnels between some of the courtyards to build a labyrinth. The Hotel Sidi Driss was the canteen in the movie and it can accommodate visitors who would like to see leftovers from the Star Wars set. A daily bus service runs from Tunis to Matmata, via the towns of Sfax and Sousse.
Other places worth a look include Kairouan for its mosques and carpets, and Tabarka for its beaches. El Jem has an impressive Roman amphitheater.
Food and Drinks
Tunisian cuisine is surprisingly pungent, due to the liberal uses of such ingredients as cardamom, cumin, fennel and harissa, a hot red pepper sauce. Dishes feature elements of Mediterranean and North African cooking. The staple dish is couscous, which the Berbers have been eating since antiquity.