The Tunisian Dirham is the unit of currency in Tunisia, spelled as /tuːˈnɪzɪən ˈdɪrəm/. In IPA notation, the first syllable is pronounced as "too" and the second one is pronounced with a short sound of "i" followed by "z" and "i". The second word is pronounced as "dir" followed by a short sound of "əm". The currency was introduced in 1958 to replace the French franc. The Tunisian Dirham consists of 1000 millimes, and the current exchange rate is approximately 1 Tunisian Dinar for 0.35 United States Dollar.
The Tunisian dirham is the official currency of Tunisia, a country located in North Africa. It is the equivalent of one thousand millimes. The word "dirham" originated from the Greek term "drachma" and has been used to refer to the currency of various countries throughout history. In Tunisia, the dirham was introduced as the official currency in 1960, replacing the French franc.
The Tunisian dirham is denoted by the currency code TND and is commonly symbolized by the letter "د" in Arabic or "DT" in Latin script. It is available in both coins and banknotes, with the coins being available in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 millimes, while the banknotes are issued in denominations of 5, 10, 20, and 50 dinars.
The Tunisian dirham is managed and regulated by the Central Bank of Tunisia, which has the authority to issue and control the currency's circulation. The dirham's exchange rate is determined by various factors such as supply and demand, economic conditions, and geopolitical influences. As a result, its value may fluctuate in relation to other currencies.
The Tunisian dirham plays a significant role in Tunisia's economy, facilitating domestic and international trade, investments, and financial transactions. It is widely accepted throughout the country, and its usage extends to both urban and rural areas.
The word "Tunisian Dirham" is a combination of two terms: "Tunisian" and "Dirham".
1. Tunisian: The term "Tunisian" refers to something or someone from Tunisia, a country located in North Africa. Tunisia derives its name from its capital city, Tunis.
2. Dirham: Dirham is a unit of currency used in various countries, primarily in the Arab world and historically during the Islamic Caliphate. The term "dirham" originated from the Greek term "drachma" (δραχμή), which was also a currency unit in ancient Greece. This Greek term then entered Arabic as "dirham".
Therefore, the phrase "Tunisian Dirham" signifies the currency used in Tunisia, drawing upon both its regional identity and the historical Arabic currency denomination.