Tunisia

Tunisia is the northernmost country in Africa and, at 162 500 square kilometers in area, it is the smallest country of the Maghreb region in North Africa. It is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its population is estimated at 11 million.

Geography

Though it is relatively small in size, Tunisia has great environmental diversity due to its north-south extent. Its east-west extent is limited. North-south environmental differences are defined by sharply decreasing rainfall southward from any point. The Dorsal, the eastern extension of the Atlas Mountains, runs across Tunisia in a northeasterly direction from the Algerian border in the west to the Cap Bon peninsula in the east.

In the Khroumerie, the northwestern corner of the Tunisian Tell, elevations reach 1 050 meters (3 440 ft) and snow occurs in winter. The Sahel, a broadening coastal plain along Tunisia's eastern Mediterranean coast, is among the world's premier areas of olive cultivation. However, much of the southern region is semi-arid and desert.

Tunisia has a coastline of approximately 1 300 kilometers long which helped boost the tourism industry since the early 60s. The lowest point is Shatt al Gharsah at 17 meters (56 ft) below sea level and the highest is Jebel ech Chambi at 1 544 meters (5 066 ft).

Climate

Tunisia's climate is Mediterranean in the north, with mild rainy winters and hot, dry summers. The south is semiarid, and merges into the Sahara.

Tourism

Among Tunisia's tourist attractions are its cosmopolitan capital city of Tunis, the ancient ruins of Carthage, the city of Sidi Bou Said, the Muslim and Jewish quarters of Djerba, the desert, and the coastal resorts in Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia, etc.

According to The New York Times, Tunisia is “known for its golden beaches, sunny weather and affordable luxuries”.

There is a wealth of accommodation in Tunisia to suit all traveler's needs including self-catering units, bed and breakfast, guesthouses, All Inclusive resorts and luxury hotels.

The summer season is considered to last from May to October. Thanks to the diversity of its landscape, Tunisia has the possibility to cover the needs of any target group all year round: family holidays, romantic escapes for couples, cultural tours throughout the country, cruises, educational tours focusing on the country's historical and cultural background, rural & agricultural tourism, sports tourism, tailor-made round trips, Spa & thalassotherapy tourism, etc.

During the last decade, Tunisia has also become a remarkable business destination. From a congress to a seminar, from a product launch to an incentive trip, from a conference to a corporate meeting, Tunisia offers an appropriate setting for every occasion.

Culture

The culture of Tunisia is mixed due to their long established history of outside influence from people such as Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Arabs, Turks, Italians, Spaniards, and the French who all left their mark on the country.