Tunisia is a small country that is considered the jewel of North Africa enjoying a strategic location in the heart of the Mediterranean with daily connections to major cities in the region. By air, Tunis is only one hour away from Rome, two hours from Paris and many other Western European capitals.

Tunisia is renowned for the homogeneity of its population and the high level of tolerance of its society. Historically, the country has been at the crossroad of civilizations: home to the Carthaginian, Byzantine, Phoenician, Roman and Ottoman Empires.

Tunisia is socially and politically stable and has exemplary ties with all countries around the world. An open and broadminded society with diversified cultural backgrounds, Tunisia welcomes anyone and everyone offering a safe haven for nationals, foreign visitors and expatriates alike. In fact, with its mild Mediterranean climate, it is one of the region’s most solicited destinations with an annual flow of over six million tourists.

The country has an open liberalized economy, a sustained economic development and an emerging market with continued economic growth. With an annual per capita income exceeding US $2,000, Tunisia’s represents the highest on the southern side of the Mediterranean and among the highest in Africa (second only to South Africa). Furthermore, Tunisia is the first Mediterranean country to sign an agreement with the European Union for the creation of a free trade zone.

The position of women in Tunisia is among the most privileged in North Africa and the Middle East, and can be compared to parts of Southern Europe. For decades, the Tunisian government has placed a strong emphasis on gender equality and on promoting social development. Although not a rich country, Tunisia has been extremely successful in modernizing society. Today, the active role of women in higher education (over 55% of all university students are women) and the workplace serve as a key model for many Arab countries and Tunisia is the country of reference when comparing gender issues in the region.

Since obtaining independence in 1956 Tunisian education officials have been working to develop an education system that is responsive to the needs of a rapidly developing country, while also emphasizing the need to develop a distinct national and regional identity.

Tunisia has a strategic location in the heart of the Mediterranean with daily connections to/from major cities in the region. It offers superb beaches, spectacular desert scenery and wealth of historical sites dating back nearly 3,000 years to when the ancient city of Carthage dominated the entire western Mediterranean.Its Unusual combination of Islamic culture and European approach makes it the most popular North African destination.

Tunisia’s main characteristics include:

• A mild Mediterranean climate, a long and gentle seacoast and one of the region’s most solicited destinations with an annual inflow of more than six million tourists
• A lower cost of living than in large European cities
• An open economy and sustained economic growth (the first South Mediterranean country to sign a free trade agreement with the EU)
• An emerging market with the highest annual per capita income on the Southern side of the Mediterranean
• A social and political stability as well as friendly ties with all countries around the world
• An open and tolerant society with diversified cultural backgrounds: Tunisia has been the crossroads and melting pot of civilizations dating back to the Phoenicians and the Romans of the ancient world to the Byzantines, Arabs, Turks, and French. Influences from all of these cultures can be found in different aspects of modern day life.