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| Entry Regulations / General Information |
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Entry for German Nationals |
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Travellers are exempt from holding a visa for a stay of four months, provided they are holding a national passport valid for at least a further three months and tickets for their return on onward journey. In the case of a booked package holiday (proof must be held), it is sufficient to hold a national identity card valid for at least a further three months.
When entering the country, travellers will be issued a proof of entry ("Carte de visiteur non-résident") by the Tunisian border authorities, which must be presented on leaving the country.
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Geographical Location |
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To the north and east, the Republic of Tunisia (North Africa) is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, to the south-east and south by Libya, and to the west by Algeria.
Total area: 163,610km².
Administrative divisions: 24 governorates.
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Population |
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Population: 9.24 million.
Cities: Tunis (capital) approximately 1.8 million; Sfax approximately 240,000; Kairouan approximately 103,000; Bizerte approximately 490,000; Sousse approximately 440,000; Menzel Bourgiba approximately 42,000; Gafsa approximately 71,100; Gabès approximately 98,000; Island Djerba - size 514km²; connected by a ferry service and a seven-kilometre-long causeway with the mainland (island capital Houmet Essouk approximately 20,000).
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Language |
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The country´s official language is Arabic. Tunisian, a west Arabic dialect, is spoken as lingua franca. French is the educational and commercial language, and also important for tourists. In the cities and tourist centres, also English and German is sometimes understood.
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Time Difference |
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Central European Time (CET) with European summer time (no time difference).
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Electricity |
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New buildings and hotels usually have 220V alternating current, 50Hz; in old buildings and in remote regions sometimes 110V alternating current. An adapter should be carried (it can also be purchased in Tunisia, however).
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Telephone |
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The international dialling code for calls from Western Europe to Tunisia is 00216. For international calls from Tunisia, the prefix "00" must be dialled prior to the relevant country code (in case of calls to Germany, for example, 0049). Direct dialling service for international calls is available at the larger post and telegraph offices (P.T.T.); international calls can also be made directly from phone boxes with the inscription "Taxiphone international". Taxiphones are available in larger places and tourist centres; they are usually located near the post office. To make calls, 1 or 1/2 dinar coins are needed. There are also some few phone boxes/Taxiphones operating with phone cards; phone cards are only available at few kiosks. In smaller places international calls must be made via the operator (telephone number 14); waiting periods must be expected.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS in Tunis (including suburbs): police 197, ambulance 190, fire brigade 198.
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Mobile Phones |
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Mobile network technologies: GSM 900.
Information for users of mobile phones registered with German network providers: Mobile phones connected to E-Plus, O2, T-Mobile or Vodafone networks can be used due to international roaming agreements. Travellers intending to use other mobile phones are advsied to contact their network provider for detailed information.
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Internet |
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Country code suffix: .tn
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Public Holidays |
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1st January (New Year), 20th March (Independence Day), 21st March (Youth Day), 9th April (Martyrs´ Day), 1st May (Labor Day), 25th July (Republic Day), 13th August (Women´s Day), 7th November (Remembrance Day), as well as annual moveable Islamic holidays. Sunday is the weekly day of rest, but many companies are also closed on Friday and Saturday afternoons.
The main holiday season ranges from July to August.
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Opening Hours |
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Banks: In summer Mon to Fri 7:30a.m.-11a.m., from mid-September to late June Mon to Thurs 8a.m.-11a.m. and 2p.m.-4:15p.m., Fri 8a.m.-11a.m., 1p.m.-3:15p.m.. During the Ramadan period Mon to Fri 7:30a.m.-11a.m.
Post offices: In summer (1 July to 15 September) Mon to Sat 8a.m.-1p.m., in winter Mon to Fri 8a.m.-12p.m. and 3p.m.-6p.m., Sat 8a.m.-12p.m.. During the Ramadan period Mon to Sat 8a.m.-3p.m.
Public offices: In summer Mon to Thurs 8a.m.-1p.m., in winter Mon to Fri 8a.m.-12:30p.m. and 2:30p.m.-6p.m., Sat 8a.m.-12p.m.. During the Ramadan period Mon to Fri 8a.m.-2p.m.
Shops: In summer daily 8a.m.-12p.m. and 4p.m.-7p.m., in winter 8.a.m.-12p.m. and 3p.m.-6p.m.
Museums: 9a.m.-12p.m., in the afternoon 3p.m.-6:30p.m. (in the summer half-year from 1 April to 30 September), or 2p.m.-5:30p.m. (in the winter half-year); the Bardo Museum is open daily 9:30a.m.-4:30p.m.. Museums are closed on Mondays and on public holidays.
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Clothes |
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When visiting Tunisia in summer, light and airy summer clothing will be sufficient. For the usually cooler evenings, however, also warmer clothes should be carried. Good sunglasses are essential.
In winter, between-season clothing is appropriate, which should include a coat and rain protection. Casual clothing is generally accepted; woman should dress modestly, however, and respect the Islamic traditions of the local population; knees and shoulders should be kept covered. Bathing clothes should only be worn on the beach and in the tourist centres.
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© 2001 All rights reserved TIP Gesellschaft für Touristik-Informations-Programme mbH, München Last updated: 14.03.2007 - Proposals, hints and contact - Copyright
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