Tunisia is a Muslim Arab country situated on the North African mediterranean coast. It borders on Algeria to the west and Libya to the south and east.
| |||
| Official language | Arabic | ||
| Capital | Tunis | ||
| President | Zine El Abidine Ben Ali | ||
| Area - Total | Ranked 89th 163,610 km² | ||
| Population
- Total (2003) | Ranked 81st
9,924,742 | ||
| Currency | Tunisian Dinar | ||
| Time zone | UTC +2 | ||
| Independence
- Granted | (from France)
March 20, 1956 | ||
| National anthem | Himat Al Hima, Ala Khallidi | ||
| Internet TLD | .tn | ||
| Calling Code | 216 | ||
From the CIA World Factbook 2000. Slightly Wikified.
Tunisia was the site of Carthage, a state conquered by the Roman Empire, which withdrew in the 5th century. It was conquered by Arab Muslims in the 7th century, and later became part of the Ottoman Empire.
In the 19th century it remained officially Ottoman but increasingly independent. It was made a French protectorate in 1881. It achieved independence in 1956, and has had two presidents since.
Tunisia is a republic with a strong presidential system dominated by a single political party. President Zine el-Abedine Ben Ali has been in office since 1987 when he deposed Habib Bourguiba, who had been President since Tunisia's independence from France in 1956. The ruling party, the Constitutional Democratic Assembly (RCD), was the sole legal party for 25 years--when it was known as the Socialist Destourian Party (PSD)--and still dominates political life. The President is elected to 5-year terms--with virtually no opposition--and appoints a Prime Minister and cabinet, who play a strong role in the execution of policy. Regional governors and local administrators also are appointed by the central government; largely consultative mayors and municipal councils are elected. There is a unicameral legislative body, the Chamber of Deputies, which has 182 seats, 20% of which are reserved for the opposition. It plays a growing role as an arena for debate on national policy but never originates legislation and virtually always passes bills presented by the executive with only minor changes. The judiciary is nominally independent but responds to executive direction especially in political cases. The military is professional and does not play a role in politics. There are currently six legal opposition parties.
Tunisia is in north Africa, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara Desert. Much of the land is semi-arid and desert.
Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural, mining, energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Governmental control of economic affairs while still heavy has gradually lessened over the past decade with increasing privatization, simplification of the tax structure, and a prudent approach to debt. Real growth averaged 5.0% in the 1990s, and inflation is slowing. Growth in tourism and increased trade have been key elements in this steady growth. Tunisia's association agreement with the European Union entered into force on 1 March 1998, the first such accord between the EU and Mediterranean countries to be activated. Under the agreement Tunisia will gradually remove barriers to trade with the EU over the next decade. Broader privatization, further liberalization of the investment code to increase foreign investment, and improvements in government efficiency are among the challenges for the future.
History
Main article: History of TunisiaPolitics
Main article: Politics of TunisiaGeography
Main article: Geography of TunisiaEconomy
Main article: Economy of TunisiaMiscellaneous Topics