Tunisia Country & Tourist Information

Location
North Africa.

Area
163,610 sq km (63,170 sq miles).

Population
10.4 million (official estimate 2008).

Population Density
62 per sq km.

Capital
Tunis.
Population: 2 million (2004 census).

Government
Republic since 1959. Gained independence from France in 1956.

Language
The official language is Arabic. French is the second language, English, German and Italian are spoken mainly in tourist resorts.

Religion
The principal religion is Islam; there are small Roman Catholic, Protestant and Jewish minorities.

Time
GMT + 1.

Electricity
220/110 volts AC, 50Hz. Electric plugs have two round pins (as in continental Europe).

Head of Government
Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi since 1999.

Head of State
President Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali since 1987.

Recent History
Celebrating 50 years of independence from France in 2006, Tunisia has so far had only two presidents. Habib Bourgiba, who set the country on a secular course, ruled from 1956 until 1987, when the incumbent Zine El Abidine Ben Ali assumed power in a bloodless coup. A fourth presidential term was forbidden by the constitution but a referendum in 2002 allowed Ali to stand for up to another two terms, and he won again in 2004 (with 94.5% of the vote). The main opposition party had withdrawn in protest, stating that their participation would only serve to legitimise a rigged election.

Telephone
Country code: 216. Automatic dialing extends to almost every part of the country and covers direct international calls.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements with international mobile phone companies exist. You can buy a local SIM card at Tunisie Telecom offices if you provide appropriate identification.

Internet
E-mail can be accessed from Internet cafes in most towns and all resorts.

Media
The government retains a tight hold on local broadcasting and the press, despite freedom of information being enshrined in the constitution. The internet is monitored. Journalists and media who challenge the government are discouraged through bureaucratic pressure and harassment and, at worst, imprisonment.

Post
Airmail to Europe takes three to five days; an express service guarantees delivery in four days or under.

Post office hours: Mon-Sat 0730-1300, 1700-1900, Sun 0900-1100 (summer); Mon-Sat 0800-1800, 0900-1100 Sun (winter); Mon-Thur 0830-1430, Fri-Sat 0830-1430 and 0830-1330 (during Ramadan).

Press
• Daily newspapers are printed in Arabic or French.
• The most popular Arabic newspapers are As-Sabah and Al-Horria.
• French newspapers include Le Quotidien, Nouvelles de Tunisie, La Presse de Tunisie and Le Temps.

Radio
• Tunisian Radio is state run.
• Radio Mosaique was Tunisia’s first privately run station.
• Radio Jawhara is also private.

Below are Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
9 Mar Mouled (Prophet's Birthday).
20 Mar Independence Day.
21 Mar Youth Day. 
9 Apr Martyrs' Day.
1 May Labor Day.
25 Jul Republic Day.
13 Aug Women's Day. 
20 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
7 Nov New Era Day. 
27 Nov Eid al-Idha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
18 Dec Hegire (Islamic New Year).

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
26 Feb Mouled (Prophet's Anniversary).
20 Mar Independence Day.
21 Mar Youth Day. 
9 Apr Martyrs' Day.
1 May Labor Day.
25 Jul Republic Day.
13 Aug Women's Day. 
11 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
7 Nov New Era Day. 
16 Nov Eid al-Idha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
7 Dec Hegire (Islamic New Year).

Note
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Idha may last for two days.

Contact Information:

Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia in the UK
29 Prince’s Gate, London SW7 1QG, UK
Tel: (020) 7584 8117 (for enquiries) or 0906 550 8977 (24-hour visa information line; calls cost £1 a minute).
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1300 (consular section); Mon-Fri 0930-1300 (visa submissions).

Tunisian National Tourist Office in the UK
77A Wigmore Street, London W1U 1QF, UK
Tel: (020) 7224 5561.
Website: www.cometotunisia.co.uk



Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia in the USA
1515 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA
Tel: (202) 862 1850 or 680 6006 (tourism enquiries).


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