Tunisia is officially the Republic of Tunisia, the northernmost nation in Africa. It belongs of the Maghreb region of North Africa, as well as is surrounded by Algeria to the west and southwest, Libya to the southeast, as well as the Mediterranean Sea to the north as well as eastern; covering 163,610 km2 (63,170 sq mi), with a population of 11 million.

It has the eastern end of the Atlas Hills and the north reaches of the Sahara desert, with much of its remaining territory cultivable land. Its 1,300 kilometres (810 mi) of shoreline consist of the African combination of the western and also eastern parts of the Mediterranean Container. Tunisia is house to Africa’s northern most factor, Cape Angela; and also its funding as well as biggest city is Tunis, situated on its northeastern shore, which lends the country its name.

From very early classical times, Tunisia was occupied by the aboriginal Berbers. Phoenicians started to arrive in the 12th century BC, establishing several settlements, of which Carthage became one of the most effective by the 7th century BC.

A significant mercantile empire and also an army opponent of the Roman Republic, Carthage was defeated by the Romans in 146 BC, that occupied Tunisia for the majority of the following 800 years, presenting Christianity as well as leaving architectural heritages like the amphitheatre of El Jem. After numerous efforts beginning in 647, Muslims overcame every one of Tunisia by 697, bringing Islam and Arab society to the regional occupants.

The Ottoman Realm developed control in 1574 and held sway for over 300 years, up until the French overcame Tunisia in 1881. Tunisia acquired freedom under the management of Habib Bourguiba, who declared the Tunisian Republic in 1957. Today, Tunisia is the smallest country in North Africa, and also its culture and identity are rooted in this centuries-long crossway of various societies as well as ethnic cultures.

In 2011, the Tunisian Change, triggered by the absence of freedom and freedom under the 24-year rule of head of state Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled his routine as well as catalyzed the more comprehensive Arab Springtime across the area. Free multiparty parliamentary political elections were held soon after; the country once more elected parliament on 26 October 2014, as well as for president on 23 November 2014. Tunisia stays a unitary semi-presidential agent autonomous republic; as well as is the only North African country identified as “Free” by Liberty House.

From 2014 to 2020, it was considered the only democratic state in the Arab World, according to the Economist Intelligence System’s Democracy Index, as well as was rated a hybrid routine in the 2021 Index. It is one of the few countries in Africa ranking high in the Human being Development Index, with one of the highest possible per capita incomes in the continent.