Tunisia is the smallest country in Northwestern Africa. The country has a wide outlet on the Mediterranean Sea. The relief is flat and hilly.

The central part of Tunisia is the region of the salt lakes, the largest of which is Shatt al Jarid. Southern Tunisia occupies part of the Sahara desert, with isolated settlements in the oases. The basic grown crops are cereals, citruses, olives, vegetables, vineyards, and dates. Sheep, goats, cattle and camels are bred. Tourism, metallurgy, tanning, food processing and the chemical industries are well developed.

Owing to the proximity to Southern Europe, these lands have been the object of interest on the part of different countries since ancient times. In 12 BC the Phoenicians were the first to found colonies, and after them the mighty Carthage. After that the Vandals, Byzantines, and the Arabs, who imposed the Islam, took turns. Later Tunisia was conquered by the Spanish, after that by the Ottoman Empire and the French, from whom it obtained its independence in 1956.

That is why the historical and archeological monuments in Tunisia are numerous, because each of the ruling peoples has left its mark. In combination with the warm climate and the wonderful beaches Tunisia attracts millions of tourists from all over the world.