Tunisia Location : Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya
Capital City : Tunis
Curreny : Tunisian dinar (TND)
Languages Spoken : Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce)
Climate : temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south
National Holiday : Independence Day, 20 March (1956)
Background Information
Following independence from France in 1956, 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. In recent years, Tunisia has taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to diffuse rising pressure for a more open political society.
Geographical Note
strategic location in central Mediterranean; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration
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. Real growth averaged 5.4% in the past five years, and inflation is slowing. Growth in tourism and increased trade have been key elements in this steady growth, although tourism revenues have slowed since 11 September 2001 and may take a year or more to fully recover. Tunisia's association agreement with the European Union entered into force on 1 March 1998, the first such accord between the EU and a Mediterranean country. 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.
Religions
Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%
Ports : Bizerte, Gabes, La Goulette, Sfax, Sousse, Tunis, Zarzis
International Disputes - Risks to travellers
: none
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