Tunisia is the northernmost country in Africa, on the Mediterranean coast between Algeria and Libya, where the continent reaches closest to Europe. A small nation of beaches, olive groves, and the edge of the Sahara, it has a history reaching back to the great city of Carthage, the rival of Rome, and through Roman, Arab, and Ottoman ages. In modern times Tunisia stood out as a relatively progressive and stable Arab state, and it was here that the wave of uprisings known as the Arab Spring began.
Tunisia was the heart of ancient Carthage, the Phoenician city that became a great Mediterranean power and the rival of Rome, producing the famous general Hannibal, before Rome destroyed it and made the region a wealthy province. The Arab conquests of the seventh century brought Islam and the Arabic language, and the holy city of Kairouan was founded as a centre of learning. After centuries of various Muslim and then Ottoman rule, Tunisia became a French protectorate, gaining independence in 1956 under the reformist leader Habib Bourguiba.
Tunisia ranges from a fertile, Mediterranean north of hills, valleys, and a long coastline, through the central plains and olive groves, to dry steppe and the salt flats and dunes of the Sahara in the south. The Atlas Mountains reach into the northwest, and the country's varied landscapes, packed into a relatively small area, include classic Mediterranean scenery, Roman ruins, oases, and the desert that has served as a backdrop for many films. The mild northern climate supports the farming on which the country has long relied.
The flag of Tunisia is red, with a white circle in the centre containing a red crescent moon and a red five-pointed star. The crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam and of the Ottoman world to which Tunisia long belonged, and the red has deep historical associations with the region. The design dates from the nineteenth century, making it one of the older national flags, and it has represented Tunisia through the eras of Ottoman rule, French protection, and independence.
Tunisia is an overwhelmingly Muslim country, with the great majority following Sunni Islam, a faith established since the Arab conquests and central to the nation's identity and culture, and the city of Kairouan ranks among the holiest in Islam. At the same time, Tunisia has long had a reputation as one of the more secular and socially liberal countries in the Arab world, the legacy of reforms after independence. Small Jewish and Christian communities reflect the country's older, more diverse past.
Tunisian cuisine is among the spiciest in North Africa, distinguished by its love of the fiery chili paste known as harissa, which flavours many dishes. Couscous, the steamed semolina served with meat and vegetables, is the national dish, as across the Maghreb, and other favourites include brik, a crisp fried pastry filled with egg and tuna, and rich stews and tagines. Olives and olive oil, seafood from the Mediterranean, and an abundance of fresh vegetables are central to the food.
Agriculture is important to Tunisia, favoured by the fertile, well-watered north. The country is one of the world's major producers and exporters of olive oil, with vast olive groves stretching across the landscape, a tradition reaching back to antiquity. Tunisia also grows cereals such as wheat and barley, citrus and other fruits, dates from the southern oases, and tomatoes, and it has a long winemaking heritage. Farming supports much of the rural population and a significant export trade.
Ancient Carthage and its epic wars with Rome, the founding of Kairouan as a centre of Islamic learning, and the long sweep of Mediterranean history shaped Tunisia. After independence from France in 1956, it pursued a notably progressive course under Habib Bourguiba, including reforms in women's rights. In late 2010 and early 2011, a popular uprising in Tunisia overthrew its long-ruling president and ignited the wider Arab Spring, making the small country the birthplace of a movement that swept the region.
Tunisia has a population of around 12 million people, overwhelmingly Arab-Berber and Muslim, sharing a strong national identity and the Arabic language, with French widely used in business and education as a legacy of the colonial era. The population is concentrated in the fertile north and along the Mediterranean coast, above all in and around the capital, Tunis, which lies near the ruins of ancient Carthage. Tunisia is known for its relatively high levels of education and its engaged, youthful society.
