5 things people get wrong about Tunisia

Tunisia gets reduced to a few tired talking points, desert, camels and the famous Star Wars filming location. It has more to offer than that. Here are five things most people get completely wrong or don't know about.

• It's not all desert : The south of Tunisia is Sahara, yes. But there also green mountains, forests, fertile farmland and a mediterranean coastline that rivals anywhere in Southern Europe. Tunisia is small, but it's geography is really diverse.

• It's not unsafe : Tunisia is a country millions of people live in, visit, and love. in fact tourism is booming, with 11 million arrivals last year alone. Like anywhere, it has it's challenges, but the image painted by the headlines doesn't reflect the everyday reality of the place or its people.

• It's not just another Arab country : Tunisia has distinct identity shaped by Phoenicians, Roman, Arab, Ottoman and French influences. The culture, the dialect, the food, the architecture and the mindset is uniquely Tunisian. Grouping it into a vague regional stereotype misses everything that makes it interesting

• the history goes way beyond what you learned in school : Most people know Carthage, maybe. but Tunisia was also a major centre of the Roman Empire, an Ottoman province, a French protectorate and the birthplace of the Arab Spring.

• the food is not what you expect : Tunisian cuisine is bold, complex and criminally underrated globally. Brik, lablabi, fricassee, harissa, these aren't dishes you hear about in mainstream food conversations, but they should be. If you're ever in Tunisia, be sure to try out the local cuisine, otherwise you are missing out!

There is a lot more to Tunisia than most people give credit for. That is why this site exists.