Tunisia

Overview

Tunisia has long been a top tourist destination. It is the northernmost country in Africa, wedged between Algeria , to the west, and Libya, to the east and south. The over 1200 km of Mediterranean coastline and long stretches of golden sands have been ideal for the development of resorts, both on the mainland and on the Island of Djerba.

Tunisia's long history holds the key to those visitors needing a break from the water-sports and sun worship. The Phoenician and Roman past has left the ruins of Carthage, the once great provincial capital of Julius Caesar, now in the suburbs of Tunis. The present day modern capital has grown outwards from the fascinating 13th century medina, or old town, which qualifies as a World Heritage Site. The Great mosque of Ezzitouna is within the medina and another "must see" is the Bardo Museum with claims to the worlds largest collection of Roman mosaics.

The best preserved Roman site is Dougga, sitting on a mountainside about 120 km to the southwest of Tunis. It is in remarkable repair and once housed 20-30,000 people. Further to the south, the little visited, Sufetula at modern day Sbeitla also has wonderful roman buildings.

The resorts on the Bay of Hammamet are relatively close to El Djem, where you can marvel at the vast roman amphitheatre. It is nearly as big as the one in Rome (seating 30,000 people), but in a much better state of preservation.

Sousse combines an historic old town with a modern day resort....more

History

Following independence from France in 1956, President Habib BOURGUIBA established a strict one-party state. He dominated the country for 31 years, repressing Islamic fundamentalism and establishing rights for women unmatched by any other Arab nation. In recent years, Tunisia has taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to defuse rising pressure for a more open political society.