Cultural essay- Tunisia
Tunisia: A Small, Moderate Islamic Country
Tunisia combines several cultural traditions. It has European and Islamic influences in its history, and today it is one of the more moderate Islamic nations. Currently, Tunisia is undergoing political changes associated with the “Islamic Spring”. Tunisians are trying to find an alternative to the extremes of religious tradition and complete secularism. "Order, Freedom, and Justice,” this is the Republic of Tunisia’s motto. These three simple words describe the aspirations of Tunisia’s moderate Islamic culture and society. Tunisia is a small country located on the northern tip of Africa, between Libya and Algeria. It is the smallest country in Maghrib, a region in North Africa between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara desert. With an area of 63,378 square miles, (13) Tunisia is approximately the size of Missouri. Despite its small area, Tunisia encompasses two very distinctive regions divided by central steppes: a temperate mountainous north and an arid desert south. These regions are not politically separate; they are distinguished by their unique physical properties, such as topography, climate, flora and fauna. The northern region of Tunisia consists of two mountain chains that take up a large portion of Tunisia’s surface area: the Northern Tell and the Dorsale. The Northern Tell is more rugged than the Dorsale but both are shorter and less jagged than mountain regions in most other countries. Erosion from the Madjerda River in the northern area gives the land its sandy soils and golden hues. The Madjerda River has a momentous impact on the land because it is the only river in Tunisia. Tunisia’s northern area is the agricultural hub of the country because of its rich irrigated soil and mild climate. The main crops include wheat, olives, grapes, citrus and jasmine.
The Southern region is unlike its northern counter part in almost every physical aspect. Instead of mountains with a high elevation, the
Tunisia combines several cultural traditions. It has European and Islamic influences in its history, and today it is one of the more moderate Islamic nations. Currently, Tunisia is undergoing political changes associated with the “Islamic Spring”. Tunisians are trying to find an alternative to the extremes of religious tradition and complete secularism. "Order, Freedom, and Justice,” this is the Republic of Tunisia’s motto. These three simple words describe the aspirations of Tunisia’s moderate Islamic culture and society. Tunisia is a small country located on the northern tip of Africa, between Libya and Algeria. It is the smallest country in Maghrib, a region in North Africa between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara desert. With an area of 63,378 square miles, (13) Tunisia is approximately the size of Missouri. Despite its small area, Tunisia encompasses two very distinctive regions divided by central steppes: a temperate mountainous north and an arid desert south. These regions are not politically separate; they are distinguished by their unique physical properties, such as topography, climate, flora and fauna. The northern region of Tunisia consists of two mountain chains that take up a large portion of Tunisia’s surface area: the Northern Tell and the Dorsale. The Northern Tell is more rugged than the Dorsale but both are shorter and less jagged than mountain regions in most other countries. Erosion from the Madjerda River in the northern area gives the land its sandy soils and golden hues. The Madjerda River has a momentous impact on the land because it is the only river in Tunisia. Tunisia’s northern area is the agricultural hub of the country because of its rich irrigated soil and mild climate. The main crops include wheat, olives, grapes, citrus and jasmine.
The Southern region is unlike its northern counter part in almost every physical aspect. Instead of mountains with a high elevation, the
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