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TUNISIA - PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Tunisia
is a country in North Africa, part of the Maghreb. It is bordered
to the north & east by the Mediterranean Sea. Its western
border is opened on Algeria (965 kilometers) & south-eastern
border on Libya (459 kilometers).
Nearly 40% of the total land area is occupied by the Sahara
desert, the remainder consisting of fertile land, cradle of
Carthaginian civilization which reached its apogee in the third
century B.C. before becoming the "wheat loft" of the
Roman Empire.
Meeting
place of civilizations of the Mediterranean, Africa & Europe,
it offers its visitors: friendly people, an innate sense of
partying, sandy beaches, a fabulous heritage, tasty gastronomy
& varied crafts... But also, the dunes of the Sahara desert
& freshness of the oasis...
Capital
city: Tunis (36 ° 84 'N - 10 ° 22'E).
Area:
163,610 km² including 25,000 km of desert & 600 km
of beaches.
Population:
Approximately 10,500,000 inhabitants.
Language:
Arabic.
French & English are commonly used.
Religion:
Islam.
Currency:
Tunisian Dinar.
It is currently equivalent to approximately € 0.53 or U.S.
$ 0.74.
The exchange can be done in banks, ATMs, at foreign exchange
offices & in major hotels.
Most credit cards are accepted in Tunisia, but have a bit of
cash because some shopkeepers do not always take credit cards.
Time
zone:
Tunisia is GMT +1 (same as France in winter & one hour less
in summer).
Telecommunications:
To call from France to Tunisia, dial 00 + 216 + phone number.
From Tunisia to France 00 + 33 + the number corresponding to
9 digits (without the "0").
Mobile Phones: The coverage is generally very good in large
Tunisian cities.
I.D.:
for all European, Swiss, American, Canadian travelers... a valid
passport is required.
Climate:
it varies from north to south & thus depends on the area
you are visiting. In spring, it is fine everywhere but the rains
are not uncommon in the North.
In summer it's very good on coastal regions. The heat is strong
within the country & around the South.
Fall is the perfect season, but the days begin to shorten. You
can swim until late October. Even throughout the year for sporty
people!
To visit the oasis of the South, back-season (October-November)
& early spring are the ideal periods. Nights can be cold
but in the day, Sahara appears in all its glory beneath an exceptionally
bright sky.
Health/Vaccination:
Tunisia has no serious health risk. Avoid drinking non-industrial
& unsealed beverages & if possible no ice. Eat as Tunisians
do, excellent couscous, tagines, barbecues & other traditional
dishes; well-cooked they’re no problem.
Tunisia has a good pharmacy network, you will find chemists’
everywhere & they are very well-supplied.
No vaccination is required for E.U. members. However, we advise
you to be updated on your vaccinations: tetanus, polio, diphtheria
& hepatitis B.
Electricity:
You will find 220 volt plugs everywhere, identical to those
found in France.
Airports:
There are 6 airports in Tunis, Carthage, Djerba, Tozeur, Sfax,
Monastir & Tabarka.
Tourism
in Tunisia:
32, Avenue de l'Opéra 75002 Paris. Phone: 01 47 42 72
67. ontt@wanadoo.fr -
http://www.bonjour-tunisie.com
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