Tunisia
Official Country Name
Tunisian Republic
Tunisia Overview
Rivalry between French and Italian interests in Tunisia culminated in a French invasion in 1881 and the creation of a protectorate. Agitation for independence in the decades following World War I was finally successful in getting the French to recognize Tunisia as an independent state in 1956. The country's first president, Habib BOURGUIBA, established a strict one-party state. He dominated the country for 31 years, repressing Islamic fundamentalism and establishing rights for women unmatched by any other Arab nation. Tunisia has long taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to defuse rising pressure for a more open political society.
Tunisia Economy
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. Progressive social policies also have helped raise living conditions in Tunisia relative to the region. Real growth slowed to a 15-year low of 1.9% in 2002 because of agricultural drought and lackluster tourism. Increased rain helped to push GDP growth to an average rate of 5% in 2003-06. However, a recession in agriculture, weak expansion in the tourism and textile sectors, and increasing import costs due to rising world energy prices cut growth to 4% in 2006. Tunisia is gradually removing barriers to trade with the EU. Broader privatization, further liberalization of the investment code to increase foreign investment, improvements in government efficiency, and reduction of the trade deficit are among the challenges ahead.
Tunisia Location
Tunisia is located in Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya
Region
Tunisia is located in Africa
Tunisia Population
Tunisia has population of 10,175,014 (July 2006 est.)
Tunisia Climate
Tunisia has temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south
Tunisia Terrain
mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara
Tunisia Natural Resources
petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt
Ethnic Groups in Tunisia
Tunisia has the following ethnic groups - Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%
Tunisia Religions
Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%
Tunisia Languages
Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce)
Tunisia Capital
Tunisia capital is Tunis
Tunisia Currency
Tunisia currency is Tunisian dinar
Map of Tunisia
