Tunisie immobilier

Tunisian Governorates

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Tunisia (?Tunis), officially the Tunisian Republic is a country situated on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa. It is bordered by Algeria to the west and Libya to the southeast. It is the northernmost African country and the smallest of the nations situated along the Atlas mountain range. Around forty percent of the country is composed of the Sahara desert, with much of the remainder consisting of particularly fertile soil, and a 1300 km coastline.

Tunisia was a major civilization crossing through history; different cultures, civilizations and multiple successive dynasties contributed to the culture of the country over centuries with varying degrees of influence. Among these cultures were the Panic, Roman, Jewish, Christian, Arab, Islamic, Turkish, and French, in addition to native Berbers. This unique mixture of cultures made Tunisia, with its strategic geographical location in the Mediterranean, the core of some great civilizations of Mare Nostrum first with the famous Phoenician city of Carthage, and later, as the Africa Province, which became known as the bread basket of the Roman Empire.

The history of Tunisia reveals this rich past where different successive Mediterranean cultures had a strong presence. After the Carthaginian Empire, the Roman Empire came and left a lasting effect on the land with various monuments and cities such the El-Jem Amphitheater and the archaeological site of the ancient city of Carthage, which is classified as a world heritage site. El Jem is just one of seven world heritage sites found in Tunisia.

Tunisia ranks high among Arab and African nations. Tunisia is the most competitive and peaceful country in the African content. When it comes to economic competitiveness, Tunisia ranks high even compared to some developed economies such that of Portugal, Italy and Greece.

History of Tunisia

Tunisia is a sovereign republic, al-Jumhuriyyah at-Tunisiyyah. Its long history may be very briefly outlined or summarized.[1] Here a reverse chronological order is employed. The regimes of the independent government have fostered and steered economic development, and navigated in the once bipolar now post-cold war world.

Earlier the French had incorporated Tunisia into their sphere (1881-1956), preceded by many Italians settlers, merchants and farmers. Before that, Tunisia was under the Ottoman Turks who had seized lasting control from a Spanish occupation in 1574. The Turks eventually ruled Tunisia indirectly, through the Muradid and Husaynid Beys; with the Turks arrived a multi-ethnic influx. Prior to the Turkish era, the long medieval period had seen a cultural renaissance under the rule of the native Berbers of the region, already Arabized: first the Zirids had established Tunisian independence from the departed Fatimid caliphs now along the Nile, then the Almohad movement of the Maghrib ruled the entire region, followed by the local Hafsid dynasty of Tunis.

The Islamic era had opened with the arrival of the Arabs, who brought their language and the religion of Islam, and its new calendar.[2] Also the Arabs renewed the region's cultural ties with the Semitic east. During the last pre-Islamic centuries the Byzantines ruled along with Berbrer vassals, and before them the Vandals.

Over two thousand years ago the Romans had arrived, initially allied with Berber kingdoms; their cosmopolitan Empire long governed the region as part of an integrated Mediterranean world. Before the Romans, came the Phoenicians, who came by sea from the east about three thousand years ago, and founded here the celebrated ancient city of Carthage. Earlier came migrations from surrounding territories including the Sahel region of Africa. Perhaps eight millennia ago, already there were peoples established here, among whom the proto-Berbers (coming overland generally from the east) mingled and mixed, and from whom the Berbers would spring, during an era of their ethno-genesis.

Topography of Tunisia

Climatic change. Throughout its recorded history the physical features and environment of the land now called Tunisia have remained fairly constant; however, there were differences, e.g., the northern forests during ancient times grew more abundantly, the land being more watered.[5] Earlier in an era of prehistory the Sahara region to the south was not an arid desert, but rather in places grasslands grew with seasonal lakes, and corresponding flora and fauna.

Geography

Weather in the far north is temperate, enjoying a Mediterranean climate, with mild rainy winters and hot dry summers, the natural terrain often being wooded, e.g., with cork, oak, and pine.

Bizerta on the north coast has a large, developed harbor. The fertile river valley of the Medjerda (Wadi Majardah) (anciently called the Bagradas) flows eastward and empties into the sea north of Tunis. Throughout history the Medjerda and vicinity have been very productive and today remain valuable farmland.

Along the eastern sea coast the sahel enjoys a moderate climate, less rainfall but with heavy dew; these coastlands currently support orchards (predominately olive trees) and livestock grazing. The port cities of Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia are here; further south are Sfax, Gabès, and the island of Djerba. Near the mountainous Algerian border to the west rises Jebel ech Chambi, the highest point at 1544 meters.

From this area the high tell descends northeastward to the coast, continuing through Cape Bon, south of Tunis. The Dorsale, Tunisia's mountain range, is interrupted by several passes, including the Kasserine.[8] Between sahel and mountain lies the bled, parched plains that are sparsely populated, but where the sacred city of Kairouan is found. In the near south, an east-west belt of salt lakes (called chotts or shatts) cut across the low-lying country, which is called the Djerid. Further south lies the Sahara desert; here Tunisia touches the eastern edge of the vast sand dunes comprising the Grand Erg Oriental.

The Coat of Arms of the Republic of Tunisia

The present day Republic of Tunisia includes over ten million inhabitants, almost all of Arab-Berber descent. The Mediterranean Sea lies to the north and east, Libya extends to the southeast, and Algeria is west. The capital Tunis has been the principal city in the region for over eight centuries; its population is about 800,000. Located between the mouth of the Medjerda river to the north and Cap Bon, Tunis lies near the ancient site of the city of Carthage

Governorates of Tunisia