Quick & Interesting Facts About Tunisia

A few fast, fun facts about Tunisia

• Languages - Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), and French (commerce).
  
  
• Ethnic Groups - Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%.
  
  
• Religion - Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%.
  
  

• Population- Just over 10 million people live in Tunisia. Life expectancy is around 75 years. Birth rate is on average 1.75 per woman. Literacy rate is just over 74%.
  
  
• Modern day Tunisia is the location of the ancient Phoenician empire, centered on Carthage, its ruins now around 10 km from modern Tunis.
  
  
• The highest point in Tunisia is formed by Jebel ech Chambi (1,544 m).
  
  
• Tunisia has served as a popular location for some of Hollywood's biggest films, among which include Star wars, Jesus of Nazareth, The English Patient and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
  
  
• Tunisia is one of Africa's prominent footballing nations and has been to the World Cup finals four times, in 1978, 1998, 2002 and 2006.
  
  
• Tunisia has many Roman sites. The largest Roman site in the country is in Dougga which has been designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
  
  
• Tunisia is one of Africa's most popular tourist destinations with over 5 million visitors each year and was rated the most competitive tourist destination in Africa in 2007 by the World Economic Forum.
  
  
• The Punic Wars officially ended in 1985 - when Rome and Carthage signed a treaty declaring them over



• The Worlds Longest Aquaduct is the Roman Aqueduct of Carthage. It ran 141 km (87.6 miles) from the springs of Zagouan to Djebel Djougar. It was built by the Romans during the reign of Publius Aelius Hadrianus (AD 117-38)