| Geographical Information |
| Map Location |
Africa |
| Geographical Location |
34° 00' North Latitude
9° 00' East Longitude |
| Surface Area |
163,610 sq km |
| Climate |
Temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south |
| Natural Resources |
Petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt |
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| Political Information |
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| Country Name |
Tunisian Republic |
| Capital City |
Tunis |
| Government Type |
Republic |
| Administrative Divisions |
24 governorates; Ariana (Aryanah), Beja (Bajah), Ben Arous (Bin 'Arus), Bizerte (Banzart), Gabes (Qabis), Gafsa (Qafsah), Jendouba (Jundubah), Kairouan (Al Qayrawan),
Kasserine (Al Qasrayn), Kebili (Qibili), Kef (Al Kaf), Mahdia (Al Mahdiyah), Manouba (Manubah), Medenine (Madanin), Monastir (Al Munastir), Nabeul (Nabul), Sfax (Safaqis),
Sidi Bou Zid (Sidi Bu Zayd), Siliana (Silyanah), Sousse (Susah), Tataouine (Tatawin), Tozeur (Tawzar), Tunis, Zaghouan (Zaghwan) |
| Independence Day |
20 March 1956 (from France) |
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| Demographical Information |
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| Population |
10,074,951 (July 2005 est.) |
| Nationality |
Tunisian |
| Ethnic Groups |
Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1% |
| Religion |
Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1% |
| Languages |
Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce) |
| Population Growth Rate |
0.99% (2005 est.) |
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| Economical Information |
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| Currency |
Tunisian dinar (TND) |
| Industries |
Petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages |
| Labor Force |
3.55 million (2004 est.) |
| Labor Force by Sectors |
Services 55%, industry 23%, agriculture 22% (1995 est.) |
| Agriculture Products |
Olives, olive oil, grain, dairy products, tomatoes, citrus fruit, beef, sugar beets, dates, almonds |
| Export Commodities |
Textiles, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, agricultural products, hydrocarbons |
| Export Partners |
France 30%, Italy 23.3%, Germany 9.3%, Spain 5.3%, Belgium 4.3%, Libya 4.2% (2004) |
| Import Commodities |
Textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, food |
| Import Partners |
France 27.5%, Italy 20.8%, Germany 9.2%, Spain 5.7% (2004) |
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| Transportation |
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| Railways |
2,152 km |
| Highways |
18,997 km |
| Pipelines |
Gas 3,059 km; oil 1,203 km; refined products 345 km (2004) |
| Airports |
30 (2004 est.) |
| Ports and Harbors |
Bizerte, Gabes, La Goulette, Sfax, Sousse, Tunis, Zarzis |
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| Communication |
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| Phone Code |
+216 |
| Internet Abbreviation |
.tn |
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| Other |
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| Short History |
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 defuse rising pressure for a more open political society. |
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