Tunisia

Tunisia is the northernmost country in Africa and has a population of 12 million. Arabic is the official language, though French also plays a major role in Tunisian society and is widely used in education, the press and business.

Situated on Europe’s doorstep, Tunisia has a history of being a major mercantile empire as far back as 7th century BC with the establishment of Carthage by the Phoenicians, and then the Romans who occupied the country for 800 years thereafter. Control was then taken by the Ottoman Empire for centuries more, before Tunisia was eventually conquered by the French in 1881.

Tunisia thus owes its identity and mixed culture to all of those who have settled upon it, beginning with the great tribes of indigenous Berbers from early antiquity to the waves of people who came afterwards and each left their mark. The rich history is immortalised in stone monuments and historic ruins that remain to this day, many of which have become protected heritage sites.

Tunisia declared independence in 1957 and is the only democracy in North Africa. 

Tunisia’s legal system is heavily influenced by French civil law and the country maintains close political and economic relations with France as well as several other European countries.