Tunisia is a North African country located on the Mediterranean coast. It is known for its beautiful beaches, desert landscapes, and ancient ruins. Tunisia gained its independence from France in 1956, and has since then been a republic with a democratic political system.

Tunisia has a diverse economy, with agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing being major industries. The country is the world's second-largest exporter of olive oil, and also produces dates, citrus fruits, and grains. Tourism is a vital sector for the country, with many visitors coming to enjoy the beautiful beaches, historic ruins, and desert adventures. The manufacturing sector produces textiles, electrical equipment, and food products, among other things.

The population of Tunisia is predominantly Arab, with Berber and French minorities. The official language is Arabic, but French is also widely spoken. Islam is the dominant religion, with Sunni Muslims making up the majority of the population.

Tunisia has made significant progress in terms of education, with a literacy rate of over 80%. The country has also made strides in improving healthcare, with a national health insurance program covering the majority of the population. The capital city of Tunisia is Tunis, and other major cities include Sfax and Sousse.

Tunisia is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, with numerous historic sites and museums throughout the country. The most famous of these is the ancient city of Carthage, which was once a powerful city-state in the Mediterranean world. Other notable historic sites include the Roman amphitheater in El Jem and the medina (old town) of Tunis, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Telephone Code
216

Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 190; Fire: 198; Police: 197

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations

Climate
Temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south

Currency (Code)
Tunisian dinars (TND)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, E

Major Languages
Arabic, French, Berber

Major Religions
Muslim (Sunni) 99.1%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Shia Muslim and Baha'i) 1%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Tunis (includes Medina, Al-Zaytuna Mosque, Ville Nouvelle); Carthage; Bardo National Museum; Sidi Bou Said; El Jem amphitheater; Monastir; Dougga

Major Sports
Soccer, handball, basketball, volleyball

Cultural Practices
Eat only with the right hand, as the left is considered unclean.

Tipping Guidelines
Tip 5-15%, or round up the bill at restaurants. Hotel porters expect 5 dinars per bag and hotel maids 20 dinars per week as a gratuity. Round up the fare for taxis or add 5% to the total.

Souvenirs
Woven carpets/rugs, copper and brassware, olivewood sculptures, carved wooden birdcages, ceramic and tile goods, kaftans, shisha water pipes

Traditional Cuisine
Couscous — semolina flour sprinkled with water until it forms into tiny pellets that are then pushed through a sieve; typically steamed to a crumbly paste and tossed with a variety of ingredients including carrots, potatoes, turnips, and parsley

Geography
Area
total: 163,610 sq km
land: 155,360 sq km
water: 8,250 sq km

Climate
temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south

Natural resources
petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt

People and Society
Population
11,976,182 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%

Languages
Arabic (official, one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce), Berber (Tamazight); note - despite having no official status, French plays a major role in the country and is spoken by about two thirds of the population

Religions
Muslim (official; Sunni) 99%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Shia Muslim, and Baha'i) <1%

Population growth rate
0.63% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary republic

Capital
name: Tunis

Economy
Economic overview
lower middle-income North African economy; drafting reforms for foreign lenders; high unemployment, especially for youth and women; hit hard by COVID-19; high public sector wages; high public debt; protectionist austerity measures; key EU trade partner

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$127.509 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$10,400 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
wheat, milk, tomatoes, barley, olives, watermelons, green chillies/peppers, potatoes, dates, green onions/shallots

Industries
petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate, iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages

Exports
$19.743 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
France 29%, Italy 17%, Germany 13% (2019)

Exports - commodities
insulated wiring, clothing and apparel, crude petroleum, olive oil, vehicle parts (2019)

Imports
$24.269 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
France 17%, Italy 16%, Germany 8%, China 8%, Algeria 7% (2019)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, natural gas, low-voltage protection equipment, cars, insulated wiring (2019)