A Special Advertising Section on Tunisia

3,000 years of history in a modern land

Tunisia possesses a culturally rich history spanning 3,000 years. The nation has more than 20,000 monuments and archeological and religious sites. Among them are the ruins of Carthage, home of Hannibal Barca, a famous military strategist and the second largest Roman coliseum in the world.

Eight have been proclaimed World Heritage sites by UNESCO, a recognition that ensures their protection and preservation. They include:

Site of Carthage-Overlooking the Gulf of Tunis, Carthage was once the center of the Phoenician's vast trade empire. Carthage was later conquered and ultimately destroyed by the Romans in 146 B.C. Rebuilt by the Romans and occupied by early Arab conquerors, Phoenician, Roman and Arab remains can still be seen in the site of this ancient city of empire and ruin.

Amphitheatre of El Jem-The remarkably preserved Roman amphitheater of El Jem was built in 200 and could hold an audience of 35,000. The largest Roman coliseum in Northern Africa and the second largest in size after the coliseum in Rome, these ruins illustrate the splendor and power of the Roman Empire.

Kairouan- Kairouan was established as the base of the Aghlabite dynasty in the 9th century, but its status as a sacred city dates back to its founding by the Muslim conqueror, Uqba ibn Nafi, in 660. It flourished throughout the changing dynasties and was a center of religious and cultural learning. The Great Mosque, built and rebuilt under successive regimes, is a magnificent example of the richness of early Islamic architecture and is considered the fourth holiest center of Islam, after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem.

Medina of Tunis-Arab conquerors established Tunis in the 8th century as a walled city encompassing a labyrinth of mosques, markets, tombs and palaces. In the centuries that followed, Tunis remained a major center of trade and culture. Today, the old city includes an architectural blend of styles and 700 monuments reflecting the diverse cultural influences that have marked Tunisia's vast history. Tunis was named an UNESCO Cultural Capital in 1997.

Medina of Sousse-Strategically located on the eastern coast, this port city has been an economic and military stronghold throughout Tunisia's history. Rebuilt from a series of earlier destructions, the Aghlabites (800-909) developed Sousse as a vital trading port, leaving a classic example of an early Islamic city.

Dougga/Thugga-A Phoenician city that expanded and flourished under the Romans in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, Dougga is now the site of well-preserved market monuments, an amphitheatre and temples, and stands as an impressive testimony to the accomplishments of Tunisia's successive empires and their legacies.

Punic Town of Kerkuane and its Necropolis-This well-preserved Phoenician town was built in the 5th and 6th centuries BC. Partly destroyed by the Romans in 140, house walls, doorsteps, thresholds, early bathrooms and mosaics still remain in the ruins of Kerkuane and offer a fine example of the Phoenician's accomplishments in early city planning.

Ichkeul National Park-Located 40 miles north of Tunis, the Ichkeul National Park is a magnificent animal sanctuary encompassing a mountain, lake and wetland. The park was established in 1980, and is a seasonal home to hundreds of species of migrating birds.