Tunisia

Tunis is the capital of the Republic of Tunisia, located in the northern part of the country on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It serves as the capital of the Tunis Governorate and is the largest city in Tunisia in terms of population. Tunis is divided into two parts: the old section known as the Medina, situated on a gentle slope, and the modern part surrounding the ancient city and Lake Tunis. The total population of Tunis was approximately 2,643,000 people according to the 2014 statistics, with a population density of about 9,406.01 people per square kilometer and an elevation of 4 meters (12 feet) above sea level.

Name and History:

The name of the Republic of Tunisia is derived from the name of the city itself, and there have been different opinions regarding its origin. Some suggest it is of Canaanite origin, associated with the deity "Tanit," while some Arab historians believe it originates from the Arabic verb "Anasa" which means "to settle." The Tunisian historian, Abdul-Rahman bin Khaldun, linked the name to the city's urban prosperity, cultural and economic activities. Roman texts also referred to the city as "Tuniza" or "Tunisi."

The city's founding dates back to 814 BC, with historians suggesting that a Carthaginian princess named Alyssa fled from the Lebanese city of Tyre to this area along with a group of followers and named the city "Qart Hadasht," which means "New City." The name later became "Carthage" for easier pronunciation. The city expanded, and trade flourished, leading its inhabitants to settle along the coasts to protect themselves from the Berber invasions. Carthage became one of the most important ports in the western Mediterranean and remained so until the 5th century BC. During the Islamic era, the Muslim commander Hasan ibn al-Nu'man began building the city in 82 AH (701 AD) on the ruins of the ancient city of Tarsus. Tunis became a formidable fortress against Byzantine attacks and served as the center of the Islamic fleet. The governor of Egypt, Abd al-Aziz ibn Marwan, ordered the construction of ships and warships in accordance with the directives of Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, making Tunis a major naval power. Subsequently, the Ottomans ruled Tunis, and the great Ottoman commander Khair ad-Din Barbarossa emerged from this period. However, since the beginning of 1591, the beys began ruling Tunis in a semi-independent manner from the central Ottoman rule in Istanbul. After 1881, Tunisia came under French protection until 1942 when it fell under Axis forces rule. A year later, Tunisia gained full independence. From 1979 to 1990, Tunisia served as the headquarters of the Arab League.

Climate:

Tunis has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot and dry summers and mild and relatively humid winters. The temperatures in winter range from 7 to 20 degrees Celsius, and in summer, they range from 29 to 39 degrees Celsius.

Official Language: Arabic

Currency: Tunisian Dinar

Location: Northern Republic of Tunisia

Calling Code: 00216 70/71

Area: 212.63 km²

Population: 2,643,000 people

Population Density: 9,406.01 people/km²