Essential Tunisia - Issue 20 by Bluuprint

Welcome, To this new issue of our monthly digital lifestyle magazine for friends of Tunisia. Our magazines are now also published as part of the bluuprint publishing library, where you can find all our latest editions as well as past issues, plus many more free magazines and books to read. In this issue we look at items of current interest in Tunisia Topics, and take a closer look at Tunisia's first purpose-built resort, Port El Kantaoui. There are all our regular lifestyle pages on healthy living, Tunisian cuisine, sport and books, and not forgetting our business directory. Throughout the magazine there are offers, many of which are free to enter, with great prizes available, and for those of you visiting Tunisia, there is our regular tourist guide and map, with a quick look at some of the main places of interest. So there really is something for everyone....

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In This Issue LIFESTYLE Tunisia Topics 10

Tunisia Tourism: Every cloud has a silver lining

United Nations to send experts to help elections in Tunisia

Mother tells United Nations Ban Ki-moon how her son's suicide sparked Tunisian Revolution

United States support for Tunisia during Secretary of State Clinton's visit

UN Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie visits Tunisia and

refugee camps 16

Google localizes searches in Tunisia

Places 18

Discovering Port El Kantaoui

26 Healthy Living 26

Why fish is so good for us

May 2011 FEATURES Tunisian & Medterranean Cooking 32

Tunisian tomato soup with chickpeas and lentils Books

Exit Rommel: The Tunisian Campaign 1942-43

Sport 36

Tunisian league re-starts following revolution

Egypt's Prime Minister apologizes to Tunisia for mass brawl

Mubarak scores 2 penalties as Oman beat Tunisia 2-1 in friendly upset in Muscat

Tunisia Tourist Map

Places of interest in Tunisia Business

Tunisia Directory REGULARS

Monthly Horoscope

The Birthday File 8

Tunisia Topics Tunisian Tourism :

Tunisia's sudden uprising in January has proved to be bad for tourism. In the three months that have passed since that extraordinary showing of people power, visitor numbers have plummeted by more than 50 percent, with a similar drop in revenue.

To support this, the country’s tourism infrastructure remains largely intact which should help facilitate a recovery, the hotels are operating normally, the transport network is flowing freely, and all the top visitor attractions are open for business.

However, despite the fact that the turmoil across North Africa continues to scare people away from the region, Tunisia's tourism chief is very upbeat about the shape of things to come.

“It’s most important that tourists come back to Tunisia. As a destination we've only fulfilled about 20 percent of our potential so far, and now with a more stable business environment in place, my feeling is that we can multiply this by five times over the next ten years,” Habib Ammar said.

“The revolution will help boost our tourism industry in the mid to long-term,” declared Habib Ammar, director of the Tunisian National Tourist Office. “We’ve suffered from a negative image in the past. There was no freedom of expression and journalists were even banned from coming here. Tunisia is now a democratic country where people feel liberated and journalists can come and go as they want. I’m confident that our visitor numbers will triple or even quadruple over the next five years.”

The first step towards this will be a brand new €25 million advertising campaign running for the next six months, designed to restore people’s confidence in a country that still lies perilously close to further conflict zones.

Tunisia Topics Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining

“People look at the map and see Tunisia and Libya next door to each other, so the idea of the campaign is to create a positive impression and reassure the world that Tunisia is once again a safe place to visit,” he explained.

Tunisia has been a popular tourism destination since the 1970’s, so apart from talking to the locals about one of the quickest and most peaceful revolutions on record, visitors can do what they’ve always done in Tunisia. And that is relax on long, sandy Mediterranean beaches, explore some of the world’s most important archaeological and historical sites, soak up over 3,000 years of history, and get a true taste of Islamic culture.

Tunisia Topics United Nations to Send Experts to Help Elections in Tunisia UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced after his recent visit to Tunisia, that the world body will send a panel of experts to help organize elections in July. The secretary-general made the announcement to reporters after he briefed the UN Security Council on the current situation in Libya and his recent trip to Egypt and Tunisia. "We will soon dispatch a team of experts to Tunisia to help prepare the upcoming elections," Ban said. "They are going to have a Constitutional Assembly election in July." In early March, Tunisian interim President Fouad Mebazaa said that an election is expected on July 24 to form a constitutional council. The setting up of a constitutional council has been one of the main demands of a number of protesters, political parties and others.

Ban, who just returned to New York from his trip to North Africa and the Middle East on Wednesday, also pledged to offer the full UN help for the transition to democracy in Tunisia. "The United Nations is ready to provide all support to the Tunisian government and people, particularly in the area of the electoral process and constitution drafting and helping the Tunisian government to restore the rule of law and promote human rights, promote gender equality," he said after meeting with Tunisian Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi in Tunis.

Also early this month, Jamel Amor, Ban's special envoy, led a UN delegation in visiting Tunisia to assess the North African country's needs in organizing free and transparent elections. "Tunisia has also indicated a need for assistance with security sector reform and modernization of the judiciary," he said. "The United Nations must also change in light of the new realities if we are to help the people of the region to achieve the full potential of this moment."

"I went to the region to listen, to hear the new voices that have emerged," he said. "I went to show solidarity with their march toward full democracy." "The events in Egypt and Tunisia and across the Arab world represent the greatest opportunity for the evolution of democracy and human rights in a generation," he said. "It is vital that these transitions succeed." "In every conversation, I pledged to mobilize an international assistance effort, led by the UN in close coordination with international donors with special emphasis on socio-economic development".

Tunisia Topics Mother tells United Nation’s Ban Ki-moon how her son’s suicide sparked Tunisian Revolution United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made his last appointment in Tunis his most meaningful one: a visit with the mother of the 26-year-old unemployed Tunisian whose selfimmolation sparked a revolution. Ban Ki-moon heard first-hand from his mother, of the despair that led her son to set himself on fire outside the governor’s office on December 17th last year. His subsequent death some 19 days later triggered protests over unemployment, corruption and rising food prices that culminated in President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s January 14th departure to Saudi Arabia. “Mohamed Bouazizi’s story is as tragic as it is inspiring,” Ban told a gathering of civil society at the Regency Hotel in Tunis. “His cry resonated so widely that Tunisia and the rest of the Arab world will never be the same.” The UN chief’s first foray in the region since the start of the popular uprisings began in Cairo and ended today in Tunis. Over his four-day visit, he sought to see for himself the “winds of change” in Tunisia and Egypt that have since spread to Bahrain, Yemen and Jordan. “I am proud of my son, my son who contributed to the liberation of Tunisia,” Manoubieh Bouazizi said following her 10-minute meeting with Ban at the Regency Hotel in Tunis. Her comments in Arabic were translated into French by one of her daughters. “I am sure where my son is, he is happy.”

Tunisia Topics United States Support For Tunisia US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Confirms it will partner with Tunisia on recent visit Seeking to support Tunisia's efforts to transition from the rule of ousted President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali to more democratic and responsive governance, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton affirmed that the U.S. will partner with Tunisia as it undertakes democratic political reform, builds a respect for human rights, and seeks to provide greater economic opportunity for all Tunisian citizens. "The Tunisian people . . . have shown the world that peaceful change is possible," she said at a joint press conference with Tunisia's Foreign Minister Mouldi Kefi. "The United States stood with Tunisia during your independence, and now we will stand with you as you make the transition to democracy and prosperity and a better future." During her recent visit to Tunisia, the Secretary announced specific assistance that the United States is prepared to offer in support of the transition. To facilitate the flow of information and improve communications capacity within Tunisia, the U.S. will support a new partnership between Tunisian civil society groups and technology companies, said Secretary Clinton.

Already, " Microsoft has agreed to support groups that are advocating for human rights, democracy, education, and other social matters, providing computers, software, and training and other technical assistance," she said. To help create new jobs for Tunisians, the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation, or OPIC, will offer financial support in the form of direct loans, guarantees, and political risk insurance. The Secretary also indicated that she would request that the U.S. Congress would authorize a Tunisian-American enterprise fund to stimulate investment in Tunisia's private sector, and provide businesses with low-cost capital. "We particularly want to assist the lessdeveloped areas of Tunisia," said Secretary Clinton. "We will also work through the United States-North Africa Partnership for Economic Opportunity to link business leaders and young entrepreneurs." "We know there is a lot of work to be done," said Secretary of State Clinton, "but we are very confident about the potential for democracy and economic opportunity in Tunisia. And the United States will be ready to assist in any way."

Tunisia Topics UN Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie says people fleeing Libya need support American ctress and goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie appealed for international support for people fleeing the conflict in Libya and for increased aid for those inside the country. Jolie, a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations' refugee agency UNHCR who visited the LibyanTunisian border, said recent arrivals from Libya had told her about heavy fighting, harassment and assaults. More than 500,000 people have fled Libya to Tunisia, Egypt, Niger, Algeria, Chad and Sudan since February when rebels rose up against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. More than half of these have arrived across the border in to Tunisia. "The international community has done well to reinforce Tunisia's remarkable relief effort," Jolie said in a UNHCR statement. "But with 2,000 people still crossing each day, we cannot let the funding dry up and need to sustain the momentum."

She also appealed for measures that would allow the UN and nongovernmental organizations to access Libya and distribute urgent assistance, including food and medical supplies. Angelina Jolie's visit to a Libyan refugee camp in Tunisia caused a near riot as many of the almost 15,000 refugees there swarmed around the actress. "The outpouring of generosity from the Tunisian people says so much for the future of this country," said Jolie. "It is a sign of the openness sweeping across the region."

Tunisia Topics

Google localizes search in Tunisia Google have begun providing searches and results localized for internet users and Tunisia. Google added google.tn in Tunisia, bringing to 184 the number of domains it operates worldwide in order to provide locally relevant results for queries to people depending on where they are. Previously, Google searches in Tunisia were routed through domains in different countries. Tunisia domains allow searchs in Arabic as well as other languages used, such as French, according to Google Middle East and Africa product manager Abdel-Karim Mardini. "Local domains are a first step towards making the Web more accessible and relevant for people around the world," Mardini said in a blog post. "They're also an integral part of our vision to make all of our products available in the world's top 40 most spoken languages covering 99 percent of Internet users worldwide."

LIFESTYLE Port El Kantaoui was developed in 1979, as a purpose built holiday resort on Tunisiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eastern coast. Situated just 8km north of Sousse, it is a tranquil oasis of pedestrian areas built around a picturesque harbour, populated by a mix of restaurants, cafes, boutiques and souvenir shops.

Places: Port El Kantaoui

Places : El Kantaoui The resort is extremely popular with European tourists and well served with high quality hotels, a bustling marina, golf course, bars and beaches.

Developed to cater for the quality tourist market, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s centrepiece is an impressive 350 berth marina that harbours yachts from all parts of the Mediterranean. This hub of holiday activity plays host to a wide variety of cafes, boutiques and souvenir shops that can be perused at your leisure whilst enjoying a leisurely stroll.

Constructed in a traditional Tunisian style, the area around the port is made up of white-painted buildings, cobble-paved streets and narrow walkways.

The picturesque marina also provides the evenings focal point, with lamp-lit walkways, gardens and fountains surrounded by bars and restaurants offering a range of local and international specialities. 20

LIFESTYLE Port El Kantaoui offers a wide variety of activities and facilities that will appeal to all kinds of holidaymakers. Golfing enthusiasts will appreciate the impressive 36-hole PGA approved championship golf course built amidst a 250 acre landscape of palms and eucalyptus trees.

This was established in 1979 in conjunction with the resort, and was designed by the American Ronald Fream, who also helped develop other courses in Hammamet. But, if golf isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t your thing, and you are feeling a little more adventurous, you will also find paragliding, scuba diving and wind surfing to keep you occupied.

Port El Kantaoui There are also fantatic boat trips from the busy marina, such as aboard the pirate galleons that sail along the coast, either dolphin spotting or enjoying the onboard food and entertainment. Or, why not enjoy a simple pleasure cruise, a glass-bottomed boat tour, or one of the many fishing excursions on offer.

For those who may wish to experience a more traditional flavour of Tunisian culture, the city of Sousse, with it’s bustling souks and Great Mosque, is only 10 minutes away by taxi, or just 20 minutes on one of the frequent, open-carriage road “tourist” trains. Here, the great medina plays host to any number of colourful stalls and shops, simply overflowing with gifts, souvenirs, clothing, rugs, etc. The museums and the towering Ribat are also well worth a visit.

Ulysses and the sirens.

Tunisia's first purpose built tourist resort is now well established as one of the country's most popular holiday destinations.

Port El Kantaoui Dougga

It has certainly blossomed with age. From the vibrant harbour complex teaming with activity as modern yachts come and go, to the waterfront restaurants, cafes, ice-cream parlours and boutiques, Port El Kantaoui really has the wow factor.

Here you will find just about everything one would expect for a family holiday, and enough to keep the most discerning visitor more than happy.

Healthy Living W h y fi s h i s s o g o o d fo r u s . . .

Fishing is a way of life here in Tunisia Generations have taken to the waters offshore to feed their families or just try to survive as a business in these tough economic times. Yet fish has always been a mainstay of a healthy Mediterranean diet in many countries in the region. So, why is fish so good for us?

Why fish is good for us It is well know that the omega 3 essential fatty acids found in fish, especially oily fish from cold waters, have many healthy benefits. Omega 3 essential fatty acids will: -help reduce inflammation -decrease the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease -help to control our cholesterol -help people with depression and anxiety disorders -help infants' brains and eyes to develop and function properly -help to heal dry skin. Can Too Much Fish Be Bad? Fish is naturally high in protein, low in bad fats, and a great source of omega 3 essential fatty acids, so it sounds hard to believe that fish could be bad for us, especially since most dieticians suggest we eat lots of it. The biggest problem with eating a lot of fish is not the oils contained therein, but the possibility of mercury consumption. Most bodies of water in the world are polluted to some degree with mercury, so almost all fish and seafood are at risk of containing high levels of mercury. There has even been some suggestion that frying fish may actually increase the concentration of mercury in the fish. Mercury contamination is not good for people who already have elevated levels of mercury in their bodies and can prove a danger for pregnant women.

Why fish is good for us These elevated levels of mercury can lead to nervous system problems with brain or nerve damage, but mercury levels can easily be measured and monitored by blood tests, or tests using hair. Besides the mercury, the fish itself can be a problem if it isn't prepared properly. Deep fried or served with a heavy fat and calorie dense sauce will turn a healthy food into an unhealthy meal fast. Another potential problem is eating undercooked fish, which may lead to a parasite infection. Unless you are skilled with sushi, make sure you cook your fish until it is flaky and tender, with no sign of translucency to the meat. So. How Much Fish can I Eat? It depends.... If you are pregnant, it may be better to use nutritional supplements to get your omega 3 essenial fatty acids. For the rest of us, if you are an adult and healthy, then you can eat 2 or 3 servings of oily ocean fish per week. Also, most of us can enjoy farm-raised fish as often as we want, since they are not generally as contaminated as wild fish. One slight paradox, however, is that farm raised fish may not contain as much omega 3 essential fatty acids as wild fish.

If you have any inflammatory disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, or really any type of chronic health disorder, it may be advisable for you to get your Omega 3 essential fatty acids from sources other than fish. The easiest way to get enough omega 3 essential fatty acids is to purchase omega 3 essential fatty acid supplements which have had any impurities and toxic metals like mercury removed, and add these supplements to your diet. Other ways to increase your omega 3 essential fatty acid intake is to incorporate some of these other sources of omega 3 essential fatty acids into your diet, such as;- flax oil or seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts or walnut oil.

Tunisian Cooking - Soups Tunisian soups are typically vegetarian in nature, usually involving tomatoes or beans, however, they may incorporate some sort of meat. Soups usually find themselves being served as appetizers, but it is not uncommon for one to be served as an entree. And as with most Tunisian dishes, soups are generally heavily seasoned and spiced. Such is the case with a popular Tunisian soup, chorba, a heavily peppered soup. Try this typical recipe for Tunisian tomato soup with chickpeas and lentils

Ingredients

Bring to a boil, lower heat to a simmer, partially cover, and cook for 1 hour. (If you're using canned Chickpeas, rinse and drain them, and set them aside.)

1 cup uncooked Chickpeas, soaked overnight 1 cup uncooked Lentils (any kind), rinsed and picked over 1 cinnamon stick 2 Tbs olive oil 4 cups minced Onion 2 Tbs minced garlic 2 tsp salt 1 tsp turmeric 1 1/2 tsp cumin seeds 2 tsp ground cumin 2 to 3 bay leaves 1 (28-ounce) can of crushed tomatoes

Add the Lentils and cinnamon stick, partially cover again, and cook for another 30 minutes, or until the Chickpeas and Lentils are perfectly tender, but not mushy. (If you're using canned Chickpeas, just cook the Lentils with the cinnamon stick in 7 cups water until tender-about 30 minutes.) Remove and discard the cinnamon stick, and drain the legumes, saving the water.

Black pepper and Cayenne to taste 3 Tbs fresh lemon juice (or to taste)

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a soup pot or Dutch oven. Add the Onion, garlic, salt, turmeric, cumin seeds, ground cumin, and bay leaves, and sautĂŠ over medium heat for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the onions are soft.

Step by step Place the soaked, uncooked Chickpeas in a large pot and cover with water by 3 inches.

Tunisian tomato soup with chickpeas and lentils Add 6 cups of water (including the reserved cooking water from the Lentils) and the tomatoes, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer, partially cover, and cook for another 15 minutes or so. (The timing does not need to be exact.) Fish out and discard the bay leaves. Stir in the Chickpeas and Lentils, and cook for only about 5 minutes longer, so the legumes won't become mushy. Season to taste with black pepper, Cayenne, and lemon juice. Serve hot, topped with some yogurt, a sprinkling of parsley or mint, and currants, if desired.

BOOKS

Exit Rommel: The Tunisian Campaign, 1942-43

For anyone interested in history, Rommel, Tunisia, or all three, this is an excellent study of the times and of the part the country played in WW II. Although beginning with the Battle of El Alamein, the account quickly moves on to the battles for Kasserine Pass and Medinine and the struggle for Tunisia itself, the last foothold of the Axis powers in North Africa. Available from:

amazon.co.uk

Exit Rommel: The Tunisian Campaign, 1942-43 (Stackpole Military History) (Paperback)

Bruce Allen Watson (Author)

RRP:

ÂŁ14.50

Price:

ÂŁ13.05

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SPORT Tunisian league re-starts following revolution League football in Tunisia finally restarted recently, after a gap of three months. The league was suspended in January following political protests which ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. The move followed a similar decision in Egypt, where league action resumed 3 weeks ago. A previous bid to get the Tunisian league going again was cancelled in March due to security fears. But the footballing authorities and security services have now agreed that games can go ahead and that fans will be allowed into matches. Two African Champions League matches had taken place in Tunisia since the revolution but no league games prompting fears that clubs could be driven out of business. Last month in Cairo, the Champions League match between Tunisia's Club Africain and Egypt's Zamalek was called off after a pitch invasion by Zamalek fans. Despite the trouble, Egyptian authorities decided that to continue with the suspension of the league would put too much financial pressure on sports clubs.

Egypt's Prime Minister apologizes to Tunisia for mass Egypt's Prime Minister Essam Sharaf apologized to the people of Tunisia following a recent match in Cairo that turned into a violent, massive brawl. State-run Nile TV quoted Sharaf as saying the Egyptian government will not tolerate "this act of bullying" and will be firm and decisive in response. The match took place between Tunisia's Club Africain and Egypt's Zamalek. The Egyptian team was up 2-1 in the African Champions League match when its third goal was disallowed for an offside call. Angry crowds rushed the field, and chaotic scenes followed as fans ran across the pitch and toppled barricades. The police protected the officials which angered the fans even more and everyone ran down to the field, where many were kicking and hitting the players too. The game was called off soon after this. The Egyptian Football Association offered an apology to the Tunisians. PM Sharaf said an investigation is to be launched to find the people behind the events. Club Africain said its players and coaches left the stadium and arrived safely back at their hotel.

SPORT Mubarak scores 2 penalties as Oman beat Tunisia 2-1 in friendly upset in Muscat Midfielder Ahmed Mubarak scored two penalties to give Oman a surprise 2-1 victory over Tunisia in a friendly at the Seeb Sports Stadium on Tuesday. The first penalty was awarded in the 10th minute after Oman striker Emad al Hosni was brought down by Tunisia's Khaled Korbi, with Saudi Arabian referee Khalil Jalal pointing to the spot. Tunisia, the 2004 African Cup of Nations winners, grabbed an equalizer when Oman goalkeeper Ali al Habsi failed to hold a shot from Fahid Ben Khalfallah and Sami Allagu pounced on the loose ball to score. Mubarak added the winner from the spot in the 85th minute after Tunisia captain Karim Haggui brought down substitute Hassan Rabee'a. Oman, ranked 110th compared to Tunisia's 45th and playing under caretaker coach Hamad al Azzani since the departure of Frenchman Claude Le Roy in January, staved off a determined late rally to earn a first win since beating Gabon in Oct. 2010. It was the first friendly for Tunisia since the North African nation ended President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's 24-year rule following a popular uprising. The defeat was also the first for coach Sami Trabelsi since he took over in late 2010. Prior to Tuesday's friendly, he had led the team to six victories and drawn four. "It was a tough match for us. The boys did commit a few mistakes in the midfield and defence that cost us. The team cannot afford to make such mistakes," Trabelsi said. Tunisia's lineup had six professionals playing in Europe, while Oman had only one, Wigan goalkeeper Al Habsi. The defeat is also a jolt to Tunisia's preparations for its upcoming 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Chad and Malawi. Tunisia is currently second in Group K.

TUNISIA is a beautiful country with many places of interest well worth a visit. The information on these pages is a quick guide to just some of those, but by no means a comprehensive list of all that Tunisia has to offer. TUNISIA is situated on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, bordered by Algeria in the west and Libya in the southeast. An abrupt southern turn of its shoreline gives Tunisia two faces on the Mediterranean with a coastline 1,148 kilometres in length. Despite its relatively small size, Tunisia has great geographical and climatic diversity. An extension of the Atlas Mountains, traverses Tunisia in the north to the Cape Bon peninsula. The Sahil is along Tunisia's eastern Mediterranean coast famous for its olive groves and beaches. Inland from the Sahil are the Steppes. Much of the southern region is semi-arid and desert leading into the Sahara.

Tunis

Tunisia 38

TUNIS is the capital of Tunisia, and is divided into the old city, known as the medina, and the new city (ville nouvelle in French). Although located on the Mediterranean coast, it is spared much of the tourist beaches and resorts, which lay to the north and south.

Tourist Guide

With a population of over 1,500,000, the city still has the feel of being small and compact.The must-see attractions of the capital are The Souq, which is known as one of the most authentic and hassle-free in all of Northern Africa.

Tunis

Bardo Museum, occupying the 13th century palace of the Ottoman-era ruler and renowned for its extensive collection of Roman mosaics.

Zitouna Mosque

Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul. Built in 1882, this is the largest surviving building from the colonial era, in the neoRomanesque style. Zitouna Mosque. The largest mosque in Tunisia and an important landmark, dating from the 8th century, although the distinctive square minaret is a later 19th century addition.

Tourist Guide The ruins of CARTHAGE, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a former city of the Pheonician and Punic periods dating from the 6th Century BC, and are situated 12 km north of Tunis. This was the base of a powerful empire spanning the entire south Mediterranean and home to a population of the order of half a million people. Its most famous general was Hannibal who famously crossed the Alps to battle the Romans. In 146BC the city finally fell to Rome and its destruction ordered by the Senate. The site was later redeveloped by the Romans and Carthage became the capital of the province of Africa.

Carthage

SFAX is the country’s second city by virtue of it’s population and it’s prowess as a large industrial centre. Situated on the east coast of Tunisia, 270 km south of Tunis, the city was founded in AD 849 and is a thriving Mediterranean port sited on the Gulf of Gabes. From here, you can also take the ferry to Kerkennah Island where you can wander around in a land, virtually unspoilt by modern standards.

Tourist Guide SOUSSE is a popular destination, with tourists from Britain, Germany and many East European counties visiting the area. It is one of Tunisiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest cities, and boasts an authentic medina, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

MONASTIR is a city situated 165km southeast of Tunis and 24 km east of Sousse, on the eastern Mediterranean coast. It is an ancient city dating from Phonecian times, and it is believed it takes itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name from the French "monastĂ¨re" (monastery). It is the site of a busy international airport which caters mainly for tourist flights from Europe. Sights to see are theimposing Ribat, which is a fortified monastery located next to the sea with great views from its walls and towers. It has been used in several films as a stand in for Jerusalem, most notably "Monty Python's Life of Brian".

Sousse

Monastir

Situated on the Mediterranean coast it has good beaches and many first class hotels. Most of Sousse's sights are located within the medina, the labyrinth which is at the heart of the city. The Great Mosque is a tranquil place despite its location in the middle of the city. Built in 850 AD, it is simple and austere in the Aghlabite style. The Ribat, whilst not as impressive or extensive as the one in Monastir, is a fortified holy site well worth visit. It served as home to a branch of Islamic warriors very similar in nature to the Hospitaller Knights that lived in Rhodes. Climbing to the top of the watch tower affords you fantastic views over the Medina.

Also, there is the impressive Mausoleum of Habib Bourguiba in the centre of a large cemetery in Monastir, which is the resting place and home of the founding president of modern Tunisia.

Tourist Guide HAMMAMET is a resort town located in the south east of the northern peninsula of Cap Bon in the Governorate of Nabeul, on the northern edge of the Gulf of Hammamet.It lies just 65km south of Tunis and 85km north of Sousse and was one of the first tourist destinations in Tunisia. Due to its fine beaches it has become a popular destination for European visitors particularly for itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s swimming and water sports, with a population that regularly quadruples due to tourists in the summer months. The area is particularly known for its jasmine, and this is how the more recent, adjacent tourist resort of Yasmine Hammamet came by its name.

Hammamet

BIZERTE is located on the north coast of Tunisia, 65 km north of Tunis and 15 km from Cap Blanc (the northern-most point in Africa). Noted for its beautiful forests, beaches and scenery, it is known as the oldest and most European city in Tunisia. Originally founded around 1000 BC by Phoenicians from Tyre, it is was also the last town under French control after the rest of the country won its independence.

Tourist Guide Sidi Bou Said PORT EL KANTAOUI is a purpose built tourist and residential area began in 1979. It is situated 8km north of Sousse and 65km south of Hammamet, centered around a marina and traditional-style buildings with narrow streets. There is the waterfront with walkway, jetty and yacht pier, the open â&#x20AC;&#x153;squareâ&#x20AC;? in front of the "gate", followed by another pedestrian area containing a musical fountain, shops and restaurants. To the north, there is a golf course as well as a number of hotels. To the south, there is an amusement park and more hotels.

Port El Kantaoui SIDI BOU SAID is a beautiful and typical Tunisian village just 20km north of the capital Tunis. The best time to visit is autumn or spring, out of the tourist season, when you can still walk the narrow streets, around white and blue traditional houses, enjoying the views. The village is quite small, and perched on a hill, you can enjoy amazing views of the Mediterranean and Bay of Tunis. EL KEF is a small city in northwest Tunisia, built onto the southern face of the Jebel Dyr Mountain, which is part of the Tebersouk Mountains, at the east end of the High Atlas Mountains. It is a relaxed town, offering an authentic taste of Tunisia with some interesting sights to see. The main attraction is the Byzantine Kasbah. Noticeable from almost any part of the city, it rises out of the old medina and used to be a site of a series of fortresses dating back to the 5th century BC.

Tourist Guide KAIROUAN, a Muslim holy city, ranks 4th after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem as a place of pilgrimage. Situated 55km inland from Sousse, it's mosques and cultural history have seen it added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main sights are The Great Mosque, one of the finest Islamic buildings in North Africa, and Bi'r Barouta, which is a Well at the place where the city was founded, and one of the holiest sites in the city for Muslims. The Medina in general is a nice place to wander around, although it may well look familiar as it was used in Raiders of the Lost Ark to double for Cairo.

Kairouan

TOZEUR is a city in south west Tunisia, around 450km from Tunis. With thousands of palm trees, Tozeur is a large oasis from which exported dates are very well known. In ancient times, the oasis was important for the caravan routes through the Sahara, and was an important Roman outpost. From Tozeur there are a selection of camel trips available to explore the edge of the Sahara.

Tourist Guide El Jem

EL JEM is a small town in the east of Tunisia, 60km south of Sousse, that houses the remains of a UNESCO World Heritage listed Roman amphitheatre. Formerly the Roman town of Thysdrus, one of the most important in N. Africa after Carthage. The Amphitheatre was built in the middle of the 3rd century AD, but fell into disrepair, with its blocks being used for building the surrounding town and also the Great Mosque in Kairouan. Declared a World Heritage site in 1979, it was more recently used for filming scenes from the Oscar winning film Gladiator. DOUZ is a small town in south-central Tunisia, often known as the "Gateway to the Sahara". The town has grown up around a large palm oasis that is a large producer of "diglat noor" dates.

Regions of Tunisia

Tunisia is made up of 24 Governates (administrative regions) (1) Ariana (Aryana), (2) Beja (Baja), (3) Ben Arous (Bin 'Arus), (4) Bizerte (Banzart), (5) Gabes (Gabis), (6) Gafsa (Gafsah), (7) Jendouba (Jandouba), (8) Kairouan (Al Qayrawan), (9) Kasserine (Gasryn), (10) Kebili (Guebilli), (11) El Kef (El Kaf), (12) Mahdia (Al Mahdiya), (13) Mannouba (Mannouba), (14) Medenine (Midnin), (15) Monastir (Munastir), (16) Nabeul (Nabul), (17) Sfax (Safaqis), (18) Sidi BouZid (Sidi BouZid), (19) Siliana (Siliana), (20) Sousse (Soussa), (21) Tataouine (Tatawin), (22) Tozeur (Touzer), (23) Tunis, (24) Zaghouan (Zaghwen)

Tunisia Directory

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Monthly Horoscope for May ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) You are in the best position to deal with those outside your family, where you may find that lectures or travel will be highly successful. Be aware that someone you care about may let you down or criticize your methods.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Your temper may erupt if you have allowed others to cost you too much money. Opportunities to get ahead will be evident. Financial gains can be made through wise investments. Catch up on overdue paperwork.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Cutbacks at work will be a cause for worry. It will be important that you have your priorities straight. Be careful not to hurt someone's feelings. Relatives may not agree with the way you are dealing with your personal problems.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) You will be able to make financial gains this month. You can make money through solid investment plans. Be sure to use your charm and diplomacy when dealing with potential new clients. You need to do something that will make you feel better about yourself.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) You can make a difference if you offer your help at functions that involve children. Colleagues may try to undermine you. Try to keep ahead of the game. Personal problems may be hanging over your head but now is not the time to confront the situation.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) You have a lot to offer those around you this month. However, depression may result if you don't get to do things your own way. You need to make your partner feel wanted, not like a piece of the furniture. Plan your social events carefully.

Monthly Horoscope for May LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You may want to take a look at your direction in life. Your ability to work with detail will bring recognition. Trips will be more than a little adventurous, but disputes may start because of a lack of honesty.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Your dedication and fortitude when dealing with humanitarian groups will enhance your reputation. Don't blame others for your own stubbornness. Be sure to question any detail that you feel could leave you in a precarious position at a later date. Someone you live with is ready to play emotional games.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) You can meet potential new mates if you socialize with friends. Your tendency to take on too much will end in fatigue. Don't be too eager to cut those who have disappointed you from your life. You will be able to work in fine detail and present the best possible proposal.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Those you care about may oppose your ideas, so don't try to deal with important issues or make changes that will upset the apple cart. Use your obvious talent to work with detail and you can come up with something great. Be careful signing important contracts this month.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Stick to travel or doing things in conjunction with small groups this month. You may have a problem sorting out your true feelings when it comes to you and your relationships with others. Be aggressive and colourful, and you will find you get your way, so maybe it's time to let loose.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Let your boss know your goals, but be careful as you may find that you will not be able to trust someone you work with. Romance may be just around the corner for you, however, it will most probably be short-lived. If you've been really busy, try to schedule some time to spend with loved ones.

If it’s your birthday this month . . . May 1st: Calamity Jane (1852) Judy Collins (1939) Rita Coolidge (1945) 2nd: Bing Crosby (1904) Engelbert Humperdinck (1936) David Beckham (1975) 3rd: James Brown (1928) Niccolo Machiavelli (1469) Mary Astor (1906) Frankie Valli (1937) 4th: Audrey Hepburn (1929) Randy Travis (1959)

8th: Harry S. Truman (1884) Oscar Hammerstein (1846) Roberto Rossellini (1906) Sonny Liston (1917) Enrique Iglesias (1975) 9th: Sir James Barrie (1860) Richard Adams (1920) Albert Finney (1936) Billy Joel (1949) Glenda Jackson (1936) Candice Bergen (1946) 10th: Fred Astaire (1899) Paul “Bono” Hewson (1960) Donovan (1943) 11th: Irving Berlin (1888) Salvador Dali (1904) Phil Silvers (1912) Natasha Richardson (1963) 12th: Katharine Hepburn (1907) Florence Nightingale (1820) Burt Bacharach (1929) Ving Rhames (1961) 13th: Joe Louis (1914) Stevie Wonder (1951) Harvey Keitel (1939) Peter Gabriel (1950)

5th: Karl Marx (1818) Michael Palin (1943) Tammy Wynette (1942) Craig David (1981) 6th: Sigmund Freud (1856) Valentino (1895) George Clooney (1961) Tony Blair (1953) Orson Welles (1915) 7th: Eva Peron (1919) Gary Cooper (1901) Brahms (1833) Tchaikovsky(1840)

14th: George Lucas (1945) Bobby Darin (1936) Cate Blanchett (1969) Tim Roth (1961)

Who do you share yours with . . . 15th: Brian Eno (1948) James Mason (1909) 16th: Henry Fonda (1905) Pierce Brosnan (1952) Janet Jackson (1966) Liberace (1919) Olga Korbut (1956)

24th: Bob Dylan (1941) Priscilla Presley (1945) Queen Victoria (1819) Kristin Scott Thomas (1960) 25th: Miles Davis (1926) Sir Ian McKellen (1939) Anne Heche (1969) Mike Myers (1963) 26th: John Wayne (1907) Peter Cushing (1913) Peggy Lee (1920) Stevie Nicks (1948) Lenny Kravitz (1964) Al Jolson (1886) 27th: Henry Kissinger (1923) Vincent Price (1911) Wild Bill" Hickok (1837) Christopher Lee (1922)

17th: "Sugar" Ray Leonard (1956) Dennis Hopper (1936) Maureen O'Sullivan (1911) Enya (1961) Andrea Corr (1974) 18th: Pope John Paul II (1920) Perry Como (1912) 19th: Anne Boleyn (1507) Ho Chi-Minh (1892) Frank Capra (1897) Pete Townshend (1945) 20th: Jimmy Stewart (1908) Cher (1946) Joe Cocker (1944) 21st: Harold Robbins (1916) Raymond Burr (1917) 22nd: Laurence Olivier (1907) Wagner (1813) Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859) Naomi Campbell (1970) 23rd: Joan Collins (1933) Douglas Fairbanks Sr. (1889) Rosemary Clooney (1928) Jewel (1974)

28th: Ian Fleming (1908) Kylie Minogue (1968) Gladys Knight (1944) 29th: John F. Kennedy (1917) Bob Hope (1903) Annette Bening (1958) Noel Gallagher (1967) 30th: Benny Goodman (1909) Mel Blanc (1908) 31st: Clint Eastwood (1930) Brooke Shields (1965) Colin Farrell (1976)