Tunisia (Arabic: (تونس) Tunis), officially the Tunisian Republic (الجمهورية التونسية), is a country situated on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa. It is bordered by Algeria to the west and Libya to the southeast. It is the northernmost African country and the smallest of the nations situated along the Atlas mountain range.
Around forty percent of the country is composed of the Sahara desert, with much of the remainder consisting of particularly fertile soil, and a 1300 km coastline. Both played a prominent role in ancient times, first with the famous Phoenician city of Carthage, and later, as the Africa Province, which became known as the bread basket of the Roman Empire.
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2- GENERALITES Official languages : Arabic Capitale :
Tunis (36°84'N, 10°22'E) Largest city :
Tunis Government : Republic President : Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali Prime Minister :
Mohamed Ghannouchi Area : 90th Totale : 163 610 km² water (%) : 5% Population : 78th 2006 estimate : 10 126 3001 hab. Density : 63,80 hab./km² Independance : From France Date : March 20, 1956 Demonym : Tunisian Currency : Tunisian Dinar (TND) Time zone : UTC +1 (Summer UTC +2)
Internet TLD : .tn
3- HISTORY
814 BC: Foundation of Carthage by Phoenician settlers led by Queen Dido.
264 BC to 146 BC: The Punic Wars: Three wars with Rome, including elephant-mounted expedition by Hannibal across the Alps (218-202 BC,) end with the defeat of Carthage.
146 BC-439: Establishment of the first Roman Colony, Africa, and its attachment to the Roman Empire.
439: Takeover of Carthage by the Vandals.
533: Takeover of Carthage by the Byzantines.
647-698: Advent of the Arab-Islamic period. Foundation of Kairouan by Oqba lbn Nafaa (670), and takeover of Carthage by the Arabs (698).
800-909: Expansion of Islam and establishment of the Aghlabid Dynasty. (Construction of the Zitouna Mosque in Tunis).
909-1159: Fatimid and Zirides dynasties. Foundation of Mahdia (921).
1159-1230: Almohads unify the Maghreb countries and Moslem Andalusia.
1230-1574: The Hafsids break away from Almohads and establish new dynasty based in Tunis.
1574: Tunisia becomes part of the Ottoman Empire.
1705-1881: Husseinite Dynasty.
1881-1956: French Protectorate (established 12 May 1881). Anti-colonial resistance, led mostly by the Neo-Destour party, persisted for most of the 75 years of French domination.
1956 (20 March): Independence from France.
1957 (25 July): Proclamation of the Republic. Habib Bourguiba becomes first President of Independent Tunisia.
1959 (1st June): Adoption of the first Constitution of the Republic of Tunisia.
1963 (15 October): The French evacuate Bizerta, their last base in the country.
1987 (7 November): In conformity with the Constitution, Prime Minister Zine El Abidine Ben Ali succeeds President Bourguiba who is declared by his physicians unable to continue assuming the duties of the Office. President Ben Ali is sworn-in by Parliament.
1989 (2 April): Presidential and legislative elections. Zine El Abidine Ben Ali elected President.
1994 (20 March) : Presidential and legislative elections. Re-election of President Ben Ali and accession of the opposition to Parliament, for the first time in the history of independent Tunisia.
1999 (24 October) : After first-ever pluralistic presidential elections, President Ben Ali is re-elected by an overwhelming majority for a third term. the Democratic Constitutional Rally keeps its majority in the Chamber of Deputies but the opposition garners 20% of the 182 seats.
4- Economy
A- Agriculture
Tunisia has a total land area of 16.4 million hectares. The country's arable lands are estimated at five million hectares, and 340,000 hectares of land are irrigated.
The main agricultural products are: olive oil, citrus fruits, cereals and dates. Tunisia's water resource potential is 4,800 million cubic meters per year. Nearly 68% of the country's ground water is being tapped.
Agriculture accounts for 13.2% of the GDP (2000) and 9% of exports of goods, and provides work for 16.3% of the active population
B- Industry
Tunisia has an important industrial basis. More than 10,000 manufacturing companies exist in the country. New growth sectors, such as electronics, automotive components, chemicals and service activities, are rapidly developing alongside the more traditional ones.
Textiles, shoes and leather are the most important industries, followed by food processing, mechanical, electrical, building, chemicals and rubber industries.
Over a third of manufacturing operations are located in Tunis, while the remaining are spread between the coastal areas and the north-western and southern regions.
Approximately 2,000 manufacturing companies have already set up in the country and are either totally or partially producing for the European, American and African markets among others.
Fifty per cent of these manufacturing companies are joint-ventures or foreign-owned, and have reinforced the transfer of technology and know-how, contributing to the country's efforts of economic and social development. The service industries, notably those linked to industry, are also experiencing an important evolution. They contribute to 47% of total investments, 51.3% of GDP growth and 44% of job creations.
C- Services
1. Tourisme
Tunisia's beautiful beaches and historical treasures attract millions of tourists from all over the world.Nearly 5 million tourists visited Tunisia in 1999.In 2004 they reached more than 6 million. American and most European tourists do not require visas to enter Tunisia. There are more than 722 hotels in the country, totaling 191.955 beds. Seven international airports, and eight passenger ports connect Tunisia to the United States and Europe. The capital city, Tunis, is a two-hour flight from Paris and London and a fifty- minute flight from Rome. Daily flights connect Tunisia to virtually all European, African and Middle Eastern destinations.
2. Tunisian Exports
The principal Tunisian exports are crude oil, minerals, clothing, and agricultural products, including its internationally-renowned olive oil. Tourism is a significant source of revenue and foreign exchange. Tunisia's primary trading partners are France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Maghreb countries.
3. Infrastructure
Tunisia has devoted considerable efforts to the establishment of an adequate infrastructure.
The railway network totals 2,475 km (1,500 miles) and covers the country from North to South. It is connected to both the Algerian and Moroccan railway networks.
The road network stretches over 31,000 km (18,600 miles). A 150 km (90 miles) highway system links Tunis, Hammamet and M'Saken, and plans for further extensions to the South and North of the country are underway.
5- DIPLOMACY
Gouvernement's foreign policy includes among its priorities working for regional integration in the Maghreb, inter-Arab consensus-building and co-operation, and Euro-Mediterranean co-development. Under Ben Ali's leadership, Tunisia has actively contributed to the search for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, offering an unwavering and concrete support to the Middle East peace process. Ben Ali's chairmanship of the Organization of African Unity in 1994 demonstrated a strong commitment to seeking negotiated solutions to the conflicts shaking the continent and to preventing armed confrontations in Africa.
6- CULTURE
An ideal climate, a long and gentle seacoast, Tunisia, the northernmost country of Africa has for over 3000 years witnessed the passage of Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Turks, Spanish and French. They came as fugitive s or adventurers, to conquer or to claim, warriors and missionaries, traders and farmers each leaving a part of their story in stone or mosaics, on hills of Carthage and the threshold of the Sahara.
This heritage, Tunisia's greatest wealth has been held in trust and preserved in hundreds of sites and museums from the small Punic museum in Utica to the vast collections of the prestigious National Museum of Bardo. Most Museums are closed on Mondays, whereas many on-site archeological museums and ruins are open all week. An entrance fee is usually charged and a caretaker will often act as guide.
A- Langage
Standard Arabic is Tunisia's official language. However, as is the case in other Arab countries, a vernacular of Arabic is spoken. In Tunisia, the dialect is Tunisian Arabic, which is closely related to Maltese. There is also a small minority of speakers of Shelha, a Berber language.
French also has a major role in the country, despite having no official status. It is used widely in education (for example being the medium of instruction in the sciences in secondary school), the press, and in business, and most educated Tunisians are able to speak it. Many Tunisians, particularly those residing in large urban areas, readily mix Tunisian Arabic with French.
B- Festivals
Tunisia hosts numerous international film, arts, and historical festivals, including the Summer festivals of Carthage, Dougga, and Hammamet, which host top international artists, the International Festival of El Jem for classical music, the Andalusian Music Festival of Testour, the Sahara Festival in Douz, the International Film Festival of Carthage, the Mythological Films Festival in Jerba and the Theater Festival of Carthage.
E- The Souks
Outside of the official, quality and price, controlled Artisanat (handicraft) shops, where everything from carpets to birdcages bears a price tag, and carpets a stamp of origin and caliber, shopping in Tunisia is definitely an art. Located in the old city (the Medina), the Souks offer a selection of objects of unsurpassed beauty and distinction , excellent arts and craft and traditional work. A sharp eye, nerves of steel, a show of disinterest and a good sense of humor will make shopping a real pleasure.
Official languages : Arabic