Tunisia Travel Guide

Tunisia — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: North Africa.
Language: The official language is Arabic. French is the second language, English, German and Italian are spoken mainly in tourist resorts.
Area: 163,610 sq km (63,170 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT + 1.
Electricity: 220/110 volts AC, 50Hz. Electric plugs have two round pins (as in continental Europe).
Population: 10.4 million (official estimate 2008).
Population Density: 62 per sq km.
Capital City: Tunis. Population: 2 million (2004 census).
Government: Republic since 1959. Gained independence from France in 1956.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi since 1999.
Head of State: President Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali since 1987.
Religion: The principal religion is Islam; there are small Roman Catholic, Protestant and Jewish minorities.

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 The main opposition party had withdrawn in protest, stating that their participation would only serve to legitimise a rigged election.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +216. Automatic dialing extends to almost every part of the country and covers direct international calls. Public phones are found widely, with some shops also offering the service. Using Skype in an Internet café is usually the most cost-effective option.

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

Tunisia has a high number of Internet users, so e-mail can be easily and cheaply accessed from Internet cafés in most towns and all resorts. Connection is usually of a good standard.

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. Overseas newspapers are generally available in major centers two or three days after publication, and magazines like Time and Newsweek can also be found.

Post

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

Public Holidays

Below are Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
15 Feb Mouled (Prophet’s Birthday)
20 Mar Independence Day
21 Mar Youth Day
9 Apr Martyrs’ Day
2 May Labor Day
25 Jul Republic Day
13 Aug Women’s Day
30 Aug - 31 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
6 Nov - 7 Nov Eid al-Idha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
7 Nov New Era Day
26 Nov Hegire (Islamic New Year)

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
4 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
19 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
25 Oct Eid al-Idha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
7 Nov New Era Day
15 Nov Hegire (Islamic New Year)
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).