Tunisia Facts

Tunisia Facts for Kids

Here are some interesting Tunisia facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

Tunisia flag

Population: 12.5 million people (2024)
Capital: Tunis with 2.7 million inhabitants
Name: Republic of Tunisia
Government: Parliamentary republic

Language: Arabic (official language), Tamazight or Berber language, French (main business language)
Religion: Muslim 99% (Sunni)
Currency: 1 Tunisian Dinar = 1000 Milim
National Symbol: crescent moon and the five-pointed star. There is no specific national animal, but the lion, the eagle and the dromedary are often referred to as Tunisia's national animals.
National Colours: red and white

Play the anthem

National Anthem: Defenders of the Homeland - listen here
National Day: 20 March (Independence Day)
President: Kais Saied (since 2019)
History: Stone age finds in Tunisia date back to about 200 000 years ago and hint to early human settlements in the region. Along the north coast Phoenicians settled as early as 1100 BC.

Ancient ruins of Carthage

Carthage was founded about 480 BC. The Romans defeated Carthage in 146 BC and ruled in the area over 800 years. Arabs conquered the region in about 600 AD before the Ottoman came to rule and from 900 AD Berbers settled in the region. Tunisia was colonised by France in 1881 and became a French protectorate in 1883. The monarchy was abolished in 1956 and independence was declared. Mass protests occurred in 2011 and start the Arab Spring. In 2014, Tunisians for the first time gained the right to vote.

Tunisia Facts | Tunisia Map

Tunisia is located on the African continent. The North African country borders Algeria, Libya and the Mediterranean Sea. Tunisia belongs to the Maghreb states - together with Algeria, Morocco and Libya. Of these it is the smallest country.

Map of Tunisia

On the map you can also see Tunisia's neighbouring countries Algeria and Libya and the location of the country's capital city Tunis.

A flight to Tunis takes about 4-hours flight from the UK and it takes about 16-hours to fly from New York/USA.

Tunisia Geography

Tunisia is slightly larger than the state of Georgia/USA or slightly smaller than Suriname or about twice the size of Austria.

The coastal regions is fertile and has a mild Mediterranean climate. The Atlas mountains in the northern parts of the country lead to the dry central plains, where water is scarce. Tunisia's interior is arid and only very rarely seasonal streams occur in the dry Sahara desert.

Camel trek in the desert

Tunisia's highest point is Jebel ech Chambi with 1544 m/ 5066 feet.
Tunisia’s coastline stretches over 1148 km/ 713 miles.
Cape Angela is considered to be the northernmost point of the African continent.
The Majardah River is Tunisia’s only perennially flowing stream.
The largest city in Tunisia is the capital city Tunis. Almost one fifth of all Tunisians live in the capital city.

Tunisia Facts:
Tourist Attractions in Tunisia

Tunisia is known for ancient ruins of Carthage, the beaches along the Mediterranean coastline, the resorts on the island of Djerba as well as desert safaris that can be undertaken in the country's interior.

Hammamet in Tunisia is a popular destination

Other popular family travel destinations are:

Tunis: Visit the medina with palaces and mosques, including the Bardo national museum with archeological exhibits. The ruins of the ancient city of Carthage are located under some suburbs of the modern city. Tunis was formerly known as Carthage, which fell to the Romans in 146 BC.

Minaret in Tunis

Djerba: This Mediterranean island off the southern coast is popular for its beaches, whitewashed towns, the fishing port town of Houmt Souk and its castle as well as for its popular tourist resorts.

Djerba beach

Kairouan is known for the magnificent Great Mosque, the Mosque of Uqba.

Great Mosque of Kairouan

El Djem Amphitheatre was built when Tunisia once belonged to the Roman Empire and is one of the largest amphitheatres in the world. It could seat over 30 000 spectators. This famous Tunisian landmark is located between the cities of Sousse and Sfax.

El Djem Amphitheatre in Tunisia

Tunisia Economy | Tunisia Facts

The economy in Tunisia is mainly driven by agriculture, tourism and textiles industries. Mining of phosphates and iron ore and zinc as well as petroleum also play an important role in the country's economy.

Dates on a tree in Tunisia

About two thirds of the country are used for agriculture, however, less than one third of the population work in this sector. Date plantations in the southern parts of the country as well as olive plantations in the coastal regions are important for the agricultural sector.

Olive plantations in Tunisia

The main agricultural products are olives, citrus fruits, grains, grapes, melons and figs.

Pottery products are popular and are sold at most markets.

Pottery sold at a market in Tunisia

The biggest trading countries that trade with Tunisia are Italy, France, Germany and China. The European Union is with almost 80% the biggest trading partner.

Among the major cities in Tunisia are Tunis, Sfax, Kairouan and Sousse.

City of Sousse in Tunisia

Tunisia Facts | Tunisian People

About 70% of all Tunisians live in urban areas, such as the capital city or the cities and towns along the Mediterranean coast.

Thus most of the people live in the northern parts of the country while the southern parts of Tunisia are very sparsely populated.

Berber cave homes in Tataouine - image by Yakub88

The unemployment rate is high among the young population and stands at about 35% for all Tunisians aged 15 - 24 years. About 81% of the people can read and write, mainly older people are illiterate.

Tunisia spends a lot of money on education and thus the education of the young people is good and Tunisians on average enjoy 15 years of education including school, college and university. While Arabic is the main language of instruction, both French and English are taught at school.

Women in Tunisia - image by BTW Images

Women rights are considered advanced in Tunisia. Arranged marriages and polygamy (being married to more than one woman) are illegal.

Football is the most popular sport in Tunisia, running and hiking are as popular as watersports such as swimming and windsurfing at the coastal resorts.

Languages in Tunisia

Arabic is the official language in Tunisia.

The Arabic spoken in Tunisia is called Tounsi. The Tunisian Arabic that is slightly different to the Standard Arabic. However, French and Standard Arabic are spoken by most people in Morocco.

English can be understood and spoken mainly by young people who learn the language in school or privately. Older people usually can speak French and some can speak Italian.

Food in Tunisia | Facts about Tunisia

Dates, olives, citrus fruits and a wide range of vegetables such as tomatoes, aubergines, peppers are used in the cuisine in Tunisia.

Chicken lemon tajine dish

Here are some typical Tunisian food and dishes:

Tajine: also called 'Tagine', is a stew prepared with mixed lamb meat, vegetables and spices that are combined and then cooked in special clay pot with a conical hat.
Couscous: also called ‘kosksi’ in Tunisia, is wheat semolina that is cooked in a special steamer pot and served mixed or accompanied by vegetables and lamb

Traditional couscous dish in Tunisia

Harissa: fiery red sauce made with tomatoes and chillies is served with most dishes
Kofta: minced meat patties (mainly lamb) with onions and various spices.
Lablebi: chickpea soup
Makroudh: typical Tunisian sweet pastries

Typical Tunisian pastries

Tunisia Animals

One animal that often is considered as typical Tunisian national animal is the dromedary. Did you know that it is quite easy to distinguish a dromedary from a camel? A dromedary only has one hump while a camel has two!

Dromedary in Tunisia

Tunisia has eight UNESCO world heritage sites among them is Ichkeul National Park. This park is a sanctuary for migrating birds in winter.

Desert Fox

Did you know?

Tunisians thank with a simple gesture, placing the right hand onto the chest close to the heart.

The dress code in Tunisia is western but modest attire is to be worn. Most women do not wear a veil and wearing a veil is not allowed in schools and universities!

Tunisia Facts: Resources

Sources for Tunisia Facts page:

Central Intelligence Agency. "Tunisia". The World Factbook. Last updated 7 August 2024. Last accessed 8 August 2024
Tunisian National Tourism Office. "Tunisia". Discover Tunisia Differently. Last accessed 8 August 2024
BBC News Service. "Tunisia Country Profile." BBC News. Last update 24 July 2023. Last accessed 8 August 2024

Image Credits on Tunisia Facts: photo stock from shutterstock and wikicommons, if not otherwise stated.

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