Location: North Africa
Local Time:
Capital City: Tunis
Population: 10.5 million
Area: 164,000357,021 square km, 63,320 square miles.
Language(s): Arabic, French, English
Dialling Code: 216
Emergency: Police: 197. Fire: 198. Ambulance: 190
TV Standard: SECAM
Driving: Driving is on the right. National licence required (must be over 18 years and held a licence for 1 year)
Electricity: 220V AC 50Hz
Currency: Tunisian Dinar (TND 1 = 1,000 Millimes)
Notes: TND: 5, 10, 20, 30
Coins: TND: 1. Millimes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000
Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted
Opening Hours
Bank: 0800-1600 Mon-Fri (winter), 0700-1130 Mon-Fri (summer)
Office: Winter: 0800-1200 & 1400-1800 Mon-Fri (commercial), 0830-1300 & 1500-1745 Mon-Thur, 0830-1300 Fri, 0800-1330 Sat (Government). Summer: 0800-1400 Mon-Sat (commercial), 0730-1330 Mon-Sat (Government)
Shops: 0800-1200 & 1600-2000 Mon-Sat (summer), 0900-1300 & 1500-1900 Mon-Sat (winter)
Public Holidays
2012
Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and dates listed are approximate. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Idha may last for 2 days.
Business/Social Hints: All executives speak French and some speak English. Care should be taken to respect Islamic conventions. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, be reasonably punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 21 years
Tipping: Discretionary
