The country of Tunisia has long been a popular tourist destination, including among Russians. The warm coast of the Mediterranean Sea, humane prices, cozy hotels of quite a European level – what else is needed in order to have a pleasant vacation? So Tunisian resorts have long and successfully competed with Turkish and Egyptian ones.
Facts about Tunisia
- Together with other North African countries, such as Algeria, Morocco and Egypt, Tunisia is included in the list of the most developed and economically stable countries of the African continent.
- About 11 million people live in all of Tunisia.
- French is the state language here along with Arabic, but in fact, few people speak it.
- The most prestigious professions — school teacher and doctor. At one time, the country’s leadership spent half the budget on health care and education. As a result, illiteracy disappeared altogether, the most beautiful buildings in the city — schools and hospitals, and Tunisian health resorts are known all over the world.
- The cities of modern Tunisia were built on the territory of the former Phoenician state. Its center was the mighty Carthage, a city whose ruins have survived to this day.
- The capital, the metropolitan region (here the regions are called vilayets) and the country itself bear the same name – Tunisia.
- At one time, this country was conquered three times by the Ottoman Empire, but the Ottoman Turks in the end, it was not possible to establish a strong power here (interesting facts about the Ottoman Empire).
- In the summer, the working day for most Tunisians begins at 5-7 in the morning, and ends before lunch. This is due to the unbearable heat in the afternoon.
- In Tunisia, only one palm tree grows exclusively – date palms. The most popular variety in this country is called “Fingers of Light” by the locals. But most of the harvest is exported, and it’s not easy to buy dates here.
- The scenes on the planet Tatooine in Star Wars, where Luke Skywalker spent his childhood, were filmed here in Tunisia.
- Local men wear beards only if they have mustaches. Foreigners who do not observe this custom are looked askance.
- Of all the countries of North Africa, Tunisia is the smallest in terms of area. In the list of the largest countries in the world, it is in 91st place (interesting facts about Africa).
- This country is famous for the presence of a large number of ancient trees. So, there is an olive growing here, which is already more than 2400 years old!
- The name “Tunisia” is actually feminine. Moreover, there is even a name here. Feminine, of course.
- Tunisians believe that camels, very common animals in this country, consider people not masters, but their friends.
- Speaking of camels, they all in Tunisia, they refer to dromedaries, that is, to one-humped camels. There are no two-humped “ships of the desert” here (interesting facts about camels).
- “Kis-Kis” — the word that is usually used by Europeans to call cats, in Tunisia is used to drive away the animal.
- The inhabitants of Tunisia have developed their own recipe for the treatment of burns from jellyfish, which are found in coastal waters. You need to rub the affected area with sand and attach a piece of tomato.
- There are a lot of cacti here. The most popular hedge here is the cactus. It is beautiful, and thanks to the sharp thorns, it is almost impossible to overcome it.
- The roofs of all houses in Tunisia are flat, since there is no snow here, and such a structure heats up less in the sun.
- During your stay in this country after sunset, you can feel an unusual but pleasant aroma in the air. This is a fel, a flower that is widespread here, which begins to be fragrant just after dark.
- Tunisian police have no right to stop a car for traffic violations if a woman is driving.
- One of the unusual sights of Tunisia is the “Rose of the Sahara” – this “flower” is formed in the desert from salt and sand, it is often used to decorate aquariums and dwellings. The height of the crystal can reach 3 meters.
- There is a private «Coliseum», built during the Roman Empire. The correct name is the “Roman Amphitheater of Tizdra” in the city of El Jem.
- The local moonshine is called “bouha” and is made from figs.
- The average life expectancy in Tunisia is 75 years.
- The distance from Tunisia to Italy across the Mediterranean does not exceed 160 km. You can overcome it by ferry quite quickly (interesting facts about the Mediterranean Sea).
- In the Tunisian city of Sidi Bou Said, all the houses are white and blue, and it is forbidden by law to repaint them so as not to spoil its historical appearance.
- The basis of the national cuisine of Tunisia is the spicy harissa pasta, which is made from olive oil and red pepper. Harissa is served with almost all dishes, except perhaps for desserts.
- Football is the most popular sport in this country. During major broadcasts, the entire population sticks to the TV screens without exception.