Tunisia
Tunisia • • • Tunisia officially known as the Tunisian Republic is a country in Northern Africa that has a Mediterranean Sea coastline in the centre of Mediterranean Africa. Tunisia lies immediately to the south of Italy and Malta. Libya borders Tunisia to the south-east, Algeria lies to the west. Regions Northern Tunisia. The capital Tunis, all of the north coast and mountains, and a number of very popular Mediterranean beach resorts. Central Coastal Tunisia Sfax, Gabes. the southern beach resorts and the bus route to Libya. Saharan Tunisia the Saharan - rocky plains, dunes, desert trekking and some major archaeological sites.
Language Arabic is the official language of Tunisia. French — a relic (пережиток, след) of Tunisia's former status as a French protectorate until 1956. English is of limited use, but fine for use around tourist areas.
Carthage • Phoenician colony, biggest trade metropolis of the antique world; • famously razed (разрушен) by the Romans; • remnants now encased in a museum; • site easily reached by train from Tunis.
El Jem — one of the best preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world.
Jebil National Park - a large Saharan National Park with impressive dunes and rock formations.
Kerkouane — remnants of the sole untouched Punic settlement which is a UNESCO World Heritage site
Matmata is a village in the south of Tunisia, famous for its troglodyte (cave) dwellings. Scenes from a number of Star Wars movies were filmed here.
Beaches Tunisia can be proud of its beaches, you just have to know where to find the "undiscovered" ones. There is a beach not far from Sousse called Chott Meriam. The beach is clean with white sand beautiful clean sea. The best beaches of Tunisia can be found in Djerba, Ghar El-Melh, Rafrafbeach, Sidi El Mekki, Sounine, Sousse and Zarzis.
Treks into the desert are an increasingly popular part of a visit to Tunisia, and the towns of Douz and Tozeur are good starting points. Close to Tozeur is the small town of Metlaoui, and this is the starting point of a great train journey. The beautifully-restored wagons date from 1904, and the luxurious train takes you into a truly stunning desert mountain landscape.
Cuisine Tunisian cuisine is very much in the Northern African Maghreb tradition. Local seafood is plentiful. Lamb forms the basis of most meat dishes. Traditional meals: Shorba Frik, Coucha , Khobz Tabouna, Brik, Berber Lamb, Merguez, Salade Tunisienne, Tunisian cakes, Harissa, Fricasse, Bambaloony
Tunisian brik Brik - very crispy thin pastry with a whole egg (Brik à l'oeuf), parsley and onions and perhaps, meat minced lamb or tuna (Brik au thon).
Harissa - very hot spicy chili paste (sometimes made more mild with carrots or yogurt), served with bread as a snack at almost any meal.
Salade Tunisienne - lettuce, green pepper, tomato, onions, olives, radishes mixed with tuna.
Respect Tunisia is a Muslim country, and dress code is important, particularly for females. Be aware that the further south one travels, the more conservative Tunisia becomes. Be prepared for a somewhat unique experience if you choose visit Tunisia during ramadan. During the daylight hours, eat and drink (even water), very discretely.