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Humanities LibreTexts

10.5: Culture

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Learning Objectives

In this section, you will:

  • Learn about the Arab countries Tunisia and Algeria, their famous cities, their most famous historical places, their traditional food, and clothes.

10.5.1. Tunisia and Algeria

Tunisia and Algeria are part of the Maghreb region of the Middle East. The Maghreb countries are Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania.

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Figure 10.5.1: This figure illustrates the countries of the Maghreb Union. CC BY-SA 4.0

10.5.2. Tunisia and Algeria

This table will introduce you to Tunisia and Algeria with their capital cities:
The Country Name in English The Country Name in Arabic The Name of the Capital in English The Name of the Capital in Arabic Flag
Tunisia

تونس

Touness

Tunis

تونس

Touness

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Tunisia
Algeria

الجزائر

Al-Jaza'er

Algiers

الجزائر

Al-Jaza'er

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Algeria

10.5.3. Countries and Famous Cities

10.5.3.1. Tunisia

Tunisia is an Arab country located in north Africa. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, north-east, and east, Algeria to the west and south-west, and Libya to the south-east.

Population: 11.82 million (2020 estimate).

Capital: Tunis.

Currency: Tunisian Dinar (TND).

Official Language: Modern Standard Arabic.

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Figure 10.5.2: This figure presents the cities of Tunisia by OCHA; CC BY 3.0
This table shows the major cities in Tunisia:
City Name City Name in Arabic Pronunciation Image
Tunis تونس Touness
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Tunis; CC0
Kairouan القيروان Al-Qayrawan
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Kairouan; CC BY-SA 4.0
Sfax صفاقس Safakess
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Sfax; CC BY-SA 3.0
Sousse سوسة Soussah
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Sousse; CC BY-SA 4.0
Gabès قابس Qaabess
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Gabès; Pixabay License
Ariana أريانة Arianah
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Ariana; CC BY-SA 3.0

10.5.3.2. Algeria

Algeria is an Arab country located in north Africa. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Morocco to the west and north-west, Mauritania to the west, Mali to the south-west, Niger to the south-east, Libya to the east, and Tunisia to the north-east.

Population: 43.85 million (2020 estimate).

Capital: Algiers.

Currency: Algerian Dinar (DZD).

Official Language: Modern Standard Arabic.

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Figure 10.5.3: This figure presents the cities of Algeria by OCHA; CC BY 3.0
This table shows the major cities in Algeria:
City Name City Name in Arabic Pronunciation Image
Algiers الجزائر Al-Jaza'er
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Algiers; CC BY 2.0
Oran وهران Wahraan
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Oran; CC BY-SA 4.0
Constantine قسنطينة Qsantinah
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Constantine; CC BY 2.0
Batna باتنة Batnah
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Batna; CC BY-SA 3.0
Annaba عنّابة Annabah
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Annaba; CC BY-SA 2.0
Tlemcen تلمسان Tlemssen
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Tlemcen; CC BY 3.0

10.5.4. Famous Historical Places

10.5.4.1. Tunisia

The video below presents a tour around Tunisia:

Carthage - Tunis

Carthage (Qertaaj - قرطاج) was the capital city of the Carthagian civilization north-east of Tunisia. It was one of the most important trading hubs of the Ancient Mediterranean. Carthage was founded in the 9th century BC on the Gulf of Tunis. Its remains now lie on the outskirts of Tunis, Tunisia.

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Figure 10.5.4: Carthage. CC BY-SA 4.0

El Jem Amphitheater - El Jem

El Jem Amphitheater (Masrah El-Jem - مسرح الجم) is located in the north-eastern part of Tunisia in the city of El Jem. It was built in 238 AD by the Roman Empire and was one of their biggest amphitheaters. It is an exceptionally welll-preserved amphitheater.

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Figure 10.5.5: El Jem Amphitheater. CC BY-SA 3.0

Bulla Regia - Jendouba

Bulla Regia (Bularigia - بولاريجيا) is an ancient town which was Berber, Punic, and Roman. It is located in the north-west of Tunisia near Jendouba. It emerged around the 5th century BC under Carthage. It is one of the most prominent historical sites in Tunisia.

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Figure 10.5.6: Bulla Regia. CC BY-SA 4.0

10.5.4.2. Algeria

The video below presents a tour around Algeria:

Notre Dame of Africa - Algiers

Notre Dame of Africa (Al-Saiyda Al-Ifriqiya - السيّدة الإفريقيّة) is located on the north side of Algiers, Algeria. It was inaugurated in 1872 and employed a Neo-Byzantine style.

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Figure 10.5.7: Notre Dame of Africa. CC BY-SA 3.0

Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania - Tipaza Province

The Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania (Al-Dhareeh Al-Malaki Al- Moritani - الضريح الملكي الموريتاني) is a funerary monument located on the road between Churchell and Algiers in Tipaza Province, Algeria. It is the tomb where the Numidian Berber King Juba II and the Queen Cleopatra Selene II, sovereigns of Numidia and Mauretania Caesariensis, were allegedly buried. The Mausoleum was founded in 3 BC.

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Figure 10.5.8: Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania. CC BY-SA 3.0

Fort Santa Cruz - Oran

Fort Santa Cruz (Qal'et Santa Krooz - قلعة سانتا كروز) is one of three forts in Oran. It was built between 1577 and 1604 by the Spaniards on the Pic d'Aidour above Gulf of Oran in the Mediterranean Sea, at an elevation of above 400 metres.

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Figure 10.5.9: Fort Santa Cruz. CC BY-SA 4.0

10.5.5. Traditional Food and Clothes

10.5.5.1. Traditional Food

The Maghreb countries have very delicious foods, some of which are found in common between them. While some remain the same from one Maghreb country to another, other vary in ingrediants and names.

This table presents the most famous traditional dishes in Tunisia and Algeria:
Region Video
Traditional food in Tunisia
Traditional food in Algeria
This table presents how to make some of the most famous traditional food in Tunisia and Algeria:
Food in English Food in Arabic Recipe Image
Shakshuka شكشوكة
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Shakshuka
Couscous كسكس
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Couscous
Brik بريك
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Brik; CC BY-SA 4.0
Harira Soup شوربة حريرة
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Harira Soup; CC BY-SA 4.0

10.5.5.2. Traditional Clothes

In each of the Maghreb countries, there are different traditional clothes that come as a result of different cultures and religious backgrounds of the different areas. This is why there is no single traditional clothing that we can call characteristic of the whole country. Traditional clothing is usually used in religious ceremonies, weddings, and/or other occasions, but is rarely, if at all, used in everyday life.

This table presents the most famous traditional clothes of the Maghreb countries:
Country Clothes
Traditional clothing in Tunisia
Traditional clothing in Algeria
Query 10.5.6.1

Put the name of the country under the correct flag:

Query 10.5.6.2
Query 10.5.6.3
Query 10.5.6.4

Put the name of the city in the correct column:

Query 10.5.6.5
Activity

Make a video about an Arab country. The video will include the following: Location, capital, famous cities, historical places, authentic dishes, and new Arabic Cultural phrases that you learned.


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