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'{{pp-move-indef}} {{Infobox country |native_name = <big>الجمهورية التونسية </big><br/>''{{Unicode|al-Jumhūriyya at-Tūnisiyya}}''<br />{{lang|fr|''République Tunisienne''}} |conventional_long_name = Tunisian Republic |common_name = Tunisia |image_flag = Flag of Tunisia.svg |image_coat = Coat of arms of Tunisia.svg |symbol_type = Coat of arms |image_map = Tunisia (orthographic projection).svg |map_caption = {{map_caption |location_color=dark green |region=the [[Arab League]] |region_color=green |legend=Tunisia (orthographic projection).svg}} |national_motto = حرية، نظام، عدالة (Hurriya, Nidham, 'Adala)<br />"Liberty, Order, Justice"<ref name="art4">{{Cite journal | title = Tunisia Constitution | contribution = Article 4 | contribution-url = http://www.chambre-dep.tn/a_constit1.html {{ar icon}} | publication-date= 1957-07-25 | accessdate = 2009-12-23 | postscript = .}}</ref> |official_languages = [[Arabic language|Arabic]]<ref name="art1">{{Cite journal | title = Tunisia Constitution | contribution = Article 1 | contribution-url = http://www.chambre-dep.tn/a_constit1.html {{ar icon}} | publication-date= 1957-07-25 | accessdate = 2009-12-23 | postscript = .}} Translation by the University of Bern: ''Tunisia is a free State, independent and sovereign; its religion is the Islam, its language is Arabic and its form is the Republic.''</ref> |languages_type = [[Second language]] |languages = [[French language|French]] |national_anthem = [[Humat Al Hima]] |demonym = Tunisian |capital = [[Tunis]] |latd=36 |latm=50 |latNS=N |longd=10 |longm=9 |longEW=E |largest_city = capital |government_type = [[Republic]]<ref name="art1"/> |leader_title1 = [[President of Tunisia|President]] |leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Tunisia|Prime Minister]] |leader_name1 = [[Zine El Abidine Ben Ali]] |leader_name2 = [[Mohamed Ghannouchi]] |area_rank = 92nd |area_magnitude = 1 E11 |area_km2 = 163610 |area_sq_mi = 63170 |percent_water = 5.0 |population_estimate = 10,432,500<ref name="ins">{{cite web|url=http://www.ins.nat.tn/|title=National Statistics Online |publisher=National Statistics Institute of Tunisia |date=July 2009|accessdate=7 January 2009}} {{ar icon}}</ref> |GDP_PPP = $86.086 billion<ref name=imf2>{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2010/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2007&ey=2010&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=744&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a=&pr.x=44&pr.y=14 |title=Tunisia|publisher=International Monetary Fund|accessdate=2010-04-21}}</ref> |GDP_PPP_rank = |GDP_PPP_year = 2009 |GDP_PPP_per_capita = $8,254<ref name=imf2/> |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = |GDP_nominal = $40.168 billion<ref name=imf2/> |GDP_nominal_year = 2009 |GDP_nominal_per_capita = $3,851<ref name=imf2/> |population_estimate_rank = 79th |population_estimate_year = July 1, 2009 |population_census = 9,910,872<ref name="ins"/> |population_census_year = 2004 |population_density_km2 = 63 <!--pop est 2008 (10327800) / land area(163610) =63.12--> |population_density_sq_mi = 163 |population_density_rank = 133rd (2005) |sovereignty_type = [[Independence]] |established_event1 = from [[Vichy France|France]] |established_date1 = March 20, 1956 |HDI = {{increase}} 0.683<ref name="HDI">{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2010_EN_Table1.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2010|year=2010|publisher=United Nations|accessdate=5 November 2010}}</ref> |HDI_rank = 81st |HDI_year = 2010 |HDI_category = <span style="color:#090;">high</span> |Gini = 39.8 |Gini_year = 2000 |Gini_category = <span style="color:#fc0;">medium</span> |currency = [[Tunisian dinar]] |currency_code = TND |country_code = +216 |time_zone = [[Central European Time|CET]] |utc_offset = +1 |time_zone_DST = ''not observed'' |utc_offset_DST = +1 |drives_on = right |cctld = [[.tn]] {{Rtl-lang|ar|[[.تونس]]}}<ref name="iana">{{cite web|url=http://www.iana.org/reports/2010/tunis-report-16jul2010.html|title=Report on the Delegation of تونس.|year=2010|publisher=Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers|accessdate=8 November 2010}}</ref> |calling_code = 216 |footnotes = }} '''Tunisia''' ({{IPAc-en|US|En-us-Tunisia.ogg|t|uː|ˈ|n|iː|ʒ|ə}} {{respell|too|NEE|zhə}}, {{IPAc-en|UK|t|juː|ˈ|n|ɪ|z|i|ə}} {{respell|tew|NIZ|iə}}; {{lang-ar|تونس}} ''Tūnis''), officially the '''Tunisian Republic''' ({{Rtl-lang|ar|الجمهورية التونسية}} ''al-Jumhūriyya at-Tūnisiyya''), is the [[North Africa|northernmost]] country in [[Africa]]. It is a [[Maghreb]] country and is bordered by [[Algeria]] to the west, [[Libya]] to the southeast, and the [[Mediterranean Sea]] to the north and east. Its area is almost 165,000&nbsp;km², with an estimated population of just over 10.3 million. Its name is derived from the capital [[Tunis]] located in the north-east. Tunisia is the smallest of the nations situated along the [[Atlas mountains|Atlas mountain]] range. The south of the country is composed of the [[Sahara desert]], with much of the remainder consisting of particularly fertile soil and 1,300&nbsp;km of coastline. Both played a prominent role in ancient times, first with the famous [[Phoenicia]]n city of [[Carthage]], then as the [[Africa Province, Roman Empire|Africa Province]] which was known as the "bread basket" of the [[Roman Empire]]. Later, Tunisia was occupied by [[Vandals]] during the 5th century AD, [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantines]] in the 6th century, and [[Arabs]] in the 8th century. Under the [[Ottoman Empire]], Tunisia was known as "Regency of Tunis". It passed under [[France|French]] protectorate in 1881. After obtaining independence in 1956, the country took the official name of the "Kingdom of Tunisia" at the end of the reign of [[Lamine Bey]] and the [[Husainid Dynasty]]. With the proclamation of the Tunisian republic on July 25, 1957, the nationalist leader [[Habib Bourguiba]] became its first president and led the modernization of the country. Today Tunisia is an export-oriented country, in the process of liberalizing and privatizing its economy. The country operates as a republic under the leadership of President [[Zine El Abidine Ben Ali]] who has governed since 1987. The Tunisian economy has averaged 5% GDP growth since the early 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gtz.de/en/weltweit/maghreb-naher-osten/681.htm |title=GTZ in Tunisia |author= |date= |work=gtz.de |publisher=GTZ |accessdate=20 October 2010}}</ref> Tunisia has close relations with both the [[European Union]]{{emdash}} with whom it has an [[European Union Association Agreement|association agreement]]{{emdash}} and the [[Arab world]]. Tunisia is also a member of the [[Arab League]] and the [[African Union]]. Tunisia has built favourable relations with the European Union, and with France in particular, through economic cooperation, industry modernization, and privatisation programs. The government's moderate and even-handed approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict has also made it an important intermediary in Middle Eastern diplomacy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/africa/1006537-1.html |title=How Tunisia won the war against terrorism |author=Versi, Anver |date=Thursday, November 1, 2001 |work=African Business |publisher= |accessdate=20 October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aina.org/news/20070516103920.htm |title=Tunisia's War On Terror |author=Jacob Laksin |date=2007-05-16 |work= |publisher= |accessdate=20 October 2010}}</ref> ==Name== {{Further|[[Tunis#Etymology|Etymology of Tunis]]}} The word ''Tunisia'' is derived from '''[[Tunis]]'''; a city and capital of modern-day Tunisia. The present form of the name, with its Latinate suffix ''{{nowrap|-ia}}'', evolved from French ''Tunisie''.<ref name="adrian"> {{cite book | last = Room | first = Adrian | title = Placenames of the World: Origins and Meanings of the Names for 6,600 Countries, Cities, Territories, Natural Features, and Historic Sites | publisher = McFarland | year = 2006 | page = 385 | isbn = 0786422483 }} </ref> This name was introduced by French geographers and historians as part of their efforts to give names to their new occupied territories and protectorates. The French derivative ''Tunisie'' was adopted in some European languages with slight modifications, introducing a distinctive name to designate the country. Other languages remained untouched, such as the [[Spanish language|Spanish]] ''Túnez''. In this case, the same name is used for both country and city as in [[Arabic Language|Arabic]]: تونس and only by context can one tell the difference.<ref name="adrian"/> The name ''Tunis'' can be attributed to different origins. It can be associated with the Phoenician goddess ''[[Tanit|Tanith (aka Tunit)]]'', ancient city of ''Tynes'' or to the Berber root ''ens'' which means "to lie down". ==History== {{Main|History of Tunisia}} ===Antiquity=== At the beginning of known recorded history, Tunisia was inhabited by [[Berber people|Berber]] tribes. Its coast was settled by [[Phoenicia]]ns starting as early as the 10th century BC. The city of [[Carthage]] was founded in the 9th century BC by settlers from [[Tyre (Lebanon)|Tyre]], now in modern day [[Lebanon]]. Legend says that [[Dido (Queen of Carthage)|Dido]] founded the city in 814 BC, as retold in by the [[Greeks|Greek]] writer [[Timaeus of Tauromenium]]. The settlers of Carthage brought their culture and religion from the Phoenicians and other [[Canaan]]ites. [[Image:HannibalTheCarthaginian.png|thumb|left|upright|[[Hannibal]]]] After a series of wars with Greek city-states of Sicily in the 5th century BC, Carthage rose to power and eventually became the dominant civilization in the Western [[Mediterranean]]. The people of Carthage worshipped a pantheon of Middle Eastern gods including [[Baal]] and [[Tanit]]. Tanit's symbol, a simple female figure with extended arms and long dress, is a popular icon found in ancient sites. The founders of Carthage also established a [[Tophet]] which was altered in Roman times. The history of human culture in Tunisia goes back thousands of years. Early farming methods reached the Nile Valley from the Fertile Crescents region in about 5000 BC. From there, farming spread to the Maghreb by about 4000 BC. The humid coastal plains of central Tunisia were home to the early agricultural communities populated by the ancestors of the Berber tribes. ===The Roman Period=== Though the Romans referred to the new empire growing in the city of Carthage as [[Punic]] or [[Phoenicia]]n, the empire built around Carthage was an independent political entity from the other Phoenician settlements in the Western Mediterranean. A Carthaginian invasion of Italy led by [[Hannibal]] during the [[Second Punic War]], one of a series of wars with Rome, nearly crippled the rise of the [[Roman Empire]]. Carthage was eventually conquered by Rome in the 2nd century BC, a turning point which led to ancient Mediterranean civilization having been influenced mainly by European instead of African cultures. After the Roman conquest, the region became one of the granaries of Rome and was Latinized and Christianized. The Romans controlled nearly all of modern Tunisia, unlike other modern African countries, of which Rome only held the northern coast. It was conquered by the [[Vandals]] in the 5th century AD and reconquered by the commander [[Belisarius]] in the 6th century during the rule of [[Byzantine]] emperor [[Justinian]]. ===The Islamic Period=== [[Image:Tunis Zitouna-Moschee Minarett.JPG|thumb|left|[[Zaytuna Mosque|The Great Mosque of Al-Zaytuna]]]] [[Image:Tower of the Great Mosque of Kairouan.JPG|thumb|Minaret of the [[Mosque of Uqba|Great Mosque of Kairouan]], also known as the Mosque of Uqba. Founded in 670, it is the oldest mosque in Tunisia as well as the oldest in the Muslim West, city of [[Kairouan]].]] Around the end of the 7th century and the beginning of 8th century the region was conquered by [[Arab]] [[Islam|Muslims]], who founded the city of [[Kairouan]], which became the first city of Islam in North Africa; in this period was erected (in 670) the [[Mosque of Uqba|Great Mosque of Kairouan]], considered the oldest and most prestigious sanctuary in the western Islamic world<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/?id=UB4uSVt3ulUC&pg=PA264&dq=kairouan+mosque+most+prestigious&cd=17#v=onepage&q=kairouan%20mosque%20most%20prestigious |title=Clifford Edmund Bosworth, '&#39;Historic cities of the Islamic world'&#39;. Brill. 2007. p. 264 |publisher=Books.google.fr |date= |accessdate=2010-05-02|isbn=9789004153882|year=2007}}</ref> as well as a great masterpiece of Islamic art and architecture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kairouan.org/en/culture/unesco.htm |title=Kairouan inscription as World Heritage |publisher=Kairouan.org |date= |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> Tunisia flourished under Arab rule. Extensive irrigation installations were constructed to supply towns with water and promote agriculture (especially olive production).<ref name="lapidus"> {{cite book | last = Lapidus | first = Ira Marvin | title = A History of Islamic Societies | publisher = [[Cambridge University Press]] | year = 2002 | edition = 2 | pages = 302–303 | isbn = 0521779332}} </ref><ref name="tunisia-lp"> {{cite book | last1 = Ham | first1 = Anthony | last2 = Hole | first2 = Abigail | last3 = Willett | first3 = David. | title = Tunisia | publisher = [[Lonely Planet]] | year = 2004 | edition = 3 | page = 65 | isbn = 1741041899}} </ref> This prosperity permitted luxurious court life and was marked by the construction of new Palace cities such as al-Abassiya (809) and Raqadda (877).<ref name="lapidus"/> Successive Muslim dynasties ruled Tunisia ([[Ifriqiya]] at the time) with occasional instabilities caused mainly by [[Berber Revolt|Berber rebellions]];{{Citation needed|reason=Feb. 2009|date=February 2009}} of these reigns we can cite the [[Aghlabids]] ([[800]]-[[900]]) and [[Fatimids]] ([[909]]-[[972]]). After conquering [[Cairo]], Fatimids abandoned North Africa to the local [[Zirids]] (Tunisia and parts of Eastern Algeria, 972-1148) and [[Hammadid]] (Central and eastern Algeria, 1015–1152).<ref name="stearns"> {{cite book | last1 = Stearns | first1 = Peter N. | last2 = Leonard Langer | first2 = William | title = The Encyclopedia of World History: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern, Chronologically Arranged | publisher = [[Houghton Mifflin Harcourt]] | year = 2001 | edition = 6 | pages = 129–131 | isbn = 0395652375}} </ref> North Africa was submerged by their quarrels; political instability was connected to the decline of Tunisian trade and agriculture.<ref name="lapidus"/><ref name="islamic-dynasties"> {{cite book | last = Singh | first = Nagendra Kr | title = International encyclopaedia of islamic dynasties | volume = 4: A Continuing Series | publisher = Anmol Publications PVT. LTD. | year = 2000 | pages = 105–112 | isbn = 8126104031}} </ref><ref name="history-of-africa"> {{cite book | title = General history of Africa | publisher = James Currey Publishers | pages = 171–173 | isbn = 0852550936 | author = J. Ki-Zerbo, G. Mokhtar, A. Adu Boahen, I. Hrbek}} </ref> In addition, the invasion of Tunisia by [[Banu Hilal]], a warlike Arab Bedouin tribe encouraged by the Fatimids of Egypt to seize North Africa, sent the region's urban and economic life into further decline.<ref name="stearns"/> The Arab historian [[Ibn Khaldun]] wrote that the lands ravaged by Banu Hilal invaders had become completely arid desert.<ref name="islamic-dynasties"/><ref>[http://www.galtoninstitute.org.uk/Newsletters/GINL9603/PopCrises3.htm Populations Crises and Population Cycles], Claire Russell and W.M.S. Russell</ref> The coasts were held briefly by the [[Normans]] of [[Sicily]] in the 12th century, and the following Arab reconquest made the last Christians in Tunisia disappear. In 1159, Tunisia was conquered by the [[Almohad]] caliphs. They were succeeded by the Berber [[Hafsids]] (c.1230–1574), under whom Tunisia prospered. In the late 16th century the coast became a [[pirate]] stronghold (see: [[Barbary States]]). ===The Ottoman Rule=== In the last years of the Hafsids, [[Spain]] seized many of the coastal cities, but these were recovered by the [[Ottoman Empire]]. Under its [[Turkish People|Turkish]] governors, the [[Beys]], Tunisia attained virtual independence. The Hussein dynasty of Beys, established in 1705, lasted until 1957. The Maghreb suffered from the deadly combination of [[Black Death|plague]] and famine.<ref>"''[http://books.google.com/books?id=etf7xP841skC&pg=PA25&dq&hl=en#v=onepage&q=&f=false Medicine and Power in Tunisia, 1780-1900]''". Nancy Elizabeth Gallagher (2002). p.25. [[Cambridge University Press]]. ISBN 0521529395</ref> The great epidemics ravaged Tunisia in 1784–1785, 1796–1797 and 1818–1820.<ref>"''[http://books.google.com/books?id=_dyeFP5Hyc4C&pg=PA309&dq&hl=en#v=onepage&q=&f=false Barbary Corsairs: the end of a legend, 1800-1820]''". Daniel Panzac (2005). p.309. ISBN 9004125949</ref> ===The French era=== In 1869, Tunisia declared itself bankrupt and an international financial commission took control over the economy. In 1881, using the pretext of a Tunisian incursion into [[Algeria]], the French invaded with an army of about 36,000 and forced the Bey to agree to the terms of the 1881 [[Treaty of Bardo]] (Al Qasr as Sa'id). With this treaty, Tunisia was officially made a [[French occupation of Tunisia|French protectorate]], over the objections of [[Italy]]. Under French colonization, European settlements in the country were actively encouraged; the number of [[French people|French]] colonists grew from 34,000 in 1906 to 144,000 in 1945. In 1910 there were 105,000 [[Italian Tunisians|Italians in Tunisia]].<ref>Smeaton Munro, Ion. ''Through Fascism to World Power: A History of the Revolution in Italy''. pag 221</ref> ====World War II==== {{Main|Tunisia Campaign}} In 1942–1943, Tunisia was the scene of the third major operations by the [[Allies of World War II|Allied Forces]] (the British Empire and the United States) against the [[Axis powers|Axis]] Powers (Italy and Germany) during [[World War II]]. The main body of the British army, advancing from their victory in the Battle of [[el-Alamein]] under the command of British [[Bernard Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein|Field Marshal Montgomery]], pushed into Tunisia from the south. The US and other allies, following their invasions of Algeria and Morocco in [[Operation Torch]], invaded from the west. [[File:Gromalia prisoner of war camp.jpg|thumb|German and Italian POWs, following the fall of Tunis, 12 May 1943. Over 230,000 German and Italian troops were taken as prisoners of war.]] Field Marshall Erwin [[Erwin Rommel|Rommel]], commander of the [[Axis Powers|Axis]] forces in North Africa, had hoped to inflict a similar defeat on the Allies in Tunisia as German forces did in the [[Battle of France]] in 1940. Before the battle for el-Alamein, the Allied forces had been forced to retreat toward Egypt. As such, the battle for Tunisia was a major test for the Allies. They concluded that in order to defeat Axis Powers they would have to coordinate their actions and quickly recover from the inevitable setbacks the German-Italian forces would inflict. On February 19, 1943, Field Marshall Erwin Rommel launched an attack on the American forces in the [[Kasserine Pass]] region of Western Tunisia, hoping to inflict the kind of demoralizing and alliance-shattering defeat the Germans had dealt to Poland, Britain and France. The initial results were a disaster for the United States; the area around the Kasserine Pass is the site of many US [[war grave]]s from that time. However, the American forces were ultimately able to reverse their retreat. With a critical strategy in [[tank warfare]], and having determined that encirclement was feasible, the British, Australian and New Zealand forces broke through the Mareth line on March 20, 1943. The Allies subsequently linked up on April 8. and on May 2, the German-Italian Army in Tunisia surrendered. Thus, the United States, United Kingdom, Australian, Free French, and Polish (as well as other forces) were able to win a major battle as an Allied army. The battle, though overshadowed by [[Battle of Stalingrad|Stalingrad]], represented a major Allied victory of World War II largely because it forged the Alliance which would one day liberate Western Europe. ==Politics== {{Main|Politics of Tunisia}} [[File:Democracy Index - The Economist - 2007.svg|thumb|350px|In this 2008 [[The Economist]] [[Democracy Index]] map for 2008, countries with DI below 3 are shown in black. Tunisia with an index of 2.79 ranks 144th out of 169 countries rated in 2010.]] [[File:Reporters Without Borders 2006 Press Freedom Rankings Map-fr.PNG|thumb|350px|In this 2008 [[Press Freedom Index]], countries shown in red have the least press freedom. Tunisia ranked 164th out of 178 countries rated in 2010.]] Tunisia is a constitutional republic, with a president serving as chief of state, prime minister as head of government, a bicameral legislature and a court system influenced by French civil law. While Tunisia is formally a democracy with a multi-party system, the secular [[Constitutional Democratic Rally]] (RCD), formerly [[Neo Destour]], has tightly controlled the country since its independence in 1956.<ref>[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/26123e9a-bf1d-11de-a696-00144feab49a.html#axzz1A5AjGREt Tunisia keeps 'single-party mentality'] [[Financial Times]], Heba Saleh 22 October 2009.</ref> President Ben Ali, previously [[Habib Bourguiba]]'s minister and a military figure, has been in office since 1987, the year he acceded to the executive office of [[Habib Bourguiba]] after a team of medical experts judged Bourguiba unfit to exercise the functions of the office in accordance with Article 57 of the Tunisian constitution.<ref>{{cite news|author=AP |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/07/world/a-coup-is-reported-in-tunisia.html?pagewanted=1 |title=NYtimes.com |publisher=NYtimes.com |date=1987-11-07 |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> The anniversary of Ben Ali’s succession, November 7, is celebrated as a national holiday. Ben Ali has been re-elected with enormous majorities every election, the last time being October 25, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|author=Yannick Vely - Parismatch.com |url=http://www.parismatch.com/Actu-Match/Monde/Actu/Ben-Ali-sans-discussion-139089/ |title=ParisMatch.com |publisher=ParisMatch.com |date=2009-11-23 |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> Tunisia has a republican presidential system characterized by a bicameral parliamentary system, including the [[Chamber of Deputies of Tunisia|Chamber of Deputies]], which has 214 seats, 25% of which are reserved for 'opposition parties,' and the Chamber of Advisors (112 members) which is composed of representatives of political parties, professional organisations patronised by the president, and by personalities appointed by the president of the Republic. The Prime Minister and cabinet, appointed by the president, play a strong role<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5439.htm |title=Background Note: Tunisia |author= |date= |work= |publisher=U.S. State Department |accessdate=24 October 2010}}</ref> in the execution of policy and approval of legislation. Regional governors and local administrators are also appointed by the central government. Largely consultative mayors and municipal councils are elected. The President’s [[Constitutional Democratic Rally]], or RCD in an abbreviation of the French, has consistently won large majorities in local and parliamentary elections. It is composed of more than 2 million members and more than 6000 representations throughout the country and largely overlaps with all important state institutions. Although the party was renamed (in Bourguiba’s days it used to be known as the Socialist Destourian Party), its policies are still considered to be largely secular but not socialist or liberal. Rare for the Arab world, women hold more than 20% of seats in both chambers of parliament.<ref>[http://www.ipu.org/parline/reports/2321_E.htm] Inter-Parliamentary Union, 2010</ref> Moreover, Tunisia is the only country in the Arab world where [[polygamy]] is forbidden by law. This is part of a provision in the country’s Code of Personal Status which was introduced by the former president Bourguiba in 1956.) There are currently eight other small political parties in Tunisia, six of whom are represented in the parliament. The Tunisian legal system is based on the French civil code and on Islamic law; the judiciary is appointed by the Ministry of Justice. The Code of Personal Status remains one of the most progressive civil codes in the Middle East and the Muslim world.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tamanna |first1=Nowrin |last2= |first2= |year=2008 |title=Personal Status Laws in Morocco and Tunisia: A Comparative Exploration of the Possibilities for Equality-Enhancing Reform in Bangladesh |journal=Feminist Legal Studies |publisher= |volume=16 |issue=3 |pages=323–343 |url= |doi=10.1007/s10691-008-9099-9 }}</ref> Enacted less than five months after Tunisia gained its independence, the code was meant to end gender inequality and update family law, to enable greater social and economic progress and make Tunisia a fully modern society. Among other reforms, the code outlawed the practices of polygamy and repudiation, or a husband’s right to unilaterally divorce his wife.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5439.htm |title=State Department page on Tunisia |publisher=State.gov |date=2009-03-19 |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> Independent human rights groups, such as [[Amnesty International]], [[Freedom House]], and Protection International, have criticized Tunisian officials for not observing international standards of political rights,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/tunisia |title=Amnesty.org |publisher=Amnesty.org |date= |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref><ref>[[Freedom in the World (report)]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.protectionline.org/Kamel-Jendoubi-Sihem-Bensedrine.html |title=Protectionline.org |publisher=Protectionline.org |date=2010-01-18 |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> and interfering with the work of local human rights organizations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rfi.fr/actufr/articles/053/article_27950.asp |title=RFI.fr |publisher=RFI.fr |date=2004-12-16 |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> In the ''[[The Economist]]'''s 2008 [[Democracy Index]] Tunisia is classified as an [[authoritarian regime]] ranking 141 out of 167 countries studied. In 2008, in terms of freedom of the press, Tunisia was ranked 143 out of 173.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rsf.org/Dans-le-monde-de-l-apres-11.html |title=RSF.org |publisher=RSF.org |date= |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref><ref>[http://66.102.9.132/search?q=cache:up9BcsnuaLMJ:www.ifex.org/download/en/FreedomofExpressionunderSiege.doc+medical+coup+tunisia&cd=40&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk Google.com].</ref> ===Human Rights=== [[File:Office of Merchant Navy and Ports.jpg|thumb|left| 150px| Portrait of President Ben Ali on the Office of Merchant Navy and Ports.]] Since 1987 Tunisia has formally reformed its political system several times, abolishing life presidency and opening up the parliament to opposition parties. The President's official speeches are full of references to the importance of democracy and freedom of speech.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nawaat.org/portail/2010/02/07/tunisie-quand-ben-ali-rompt-la-glace/ |title=Nawaat.org |publisher=Nawaat.org |date= |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> Freedom of the press is officially guaranteed by the government, although independent press outlets remain restricted, as does a substantial amount of web content. According to the Open Net Initiative, journalists are often [[Censorship in Tunisia|obstructed from reporting]] on controversial events.<ref>[http://opennet.net/research/profiles/tunisia "Profile on Tunisian Media"] Open Net Initiative, 2009</ref> In practice, no public criticism of the regime is tolerated and all direct protest is severely suppressed and does not get reported in the local media. This was the case with the public demonstrations against nepotism and corruption in 'Redayef' near the city of [[Gafsa]], in the country's south, in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2008/06/11/feature-02 |title=Magharebia.com |publisher=Magharebia.com |date= |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> According to [[Amnesty International]], "the Tunisian government is misleading the world as it conveys a positive image of the human rights situation in the country while abuses by its security forces continue unabated and are committed with impunity".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/tunisia-human-rights-lip-service-20080623 |title=Amnesty.org |publisher=Amnesty.org |date= |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> Tunisia practices some [[Internet censorship]], including the blocking of certain websites, such as [[YouTube]].<ref>http://advocacy.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/02/tunisia-is-youtube-blocked/</ref> [[Reporters Without Borders]] includes Tunisia in the country list of 'Enemies of the Internet' together with [[North Korea]], [[Saudi Arabia]] and [[Turkmenistan]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/6124420.stm |title=News.BBC.co.uk |publisher=News.BBC.co.uk |date=2006-11-07 |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rsf.org/fr-ennemi26128-Tunisie.html |title=RSF.org |publisher=RSF.org |date= |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> In January 2010 US Secretary of State [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]] mentioned Tunisia and China as the two countries with the greatest internet censorship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/01/135519.htm |title=Stage.gov |publisher=State.gov |date=2010-01-21 |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> The state owned 'Publinet' internet network has more than 1.1 million users and hundreds of internet.<ref>http://www.openarab.net/en/node/351</ref> Hundreds of thousands of young men avoid compulsory conscription and live with the constant fear of arrest, although it appears that the police go after them only in certain times of the year (the 'raffle') and often let them go if a sufficient bribe is paid.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paperblog.fr/2160525/droits-de-l-homme-en-tunisie-rafles-pour-incorporer-de-force-au-service-militaire/ |title=Paperblog.fr |publisher=Paperblog.fr |date= |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> Tunisian journalists and human rights activists are harassed and face surveillance and imprisonment under harsh conditions. Others are dismissed from their jobs or denied their right to communicate and move freely. The authorities have also prevented the emergence of an independent judiciary, further compounding the problem.<ref>[http://ifex.org/tunisia/2010/06/07/tmg_report/ Tunisia Monitoring Group (IFEX-TMG) Report, 7 June 2010]</ref> ===Allegations of corruption=== In its January/February 2008 issue, the ''[[Foreign Policy Magazine]]'' reported that Tunisia's First Lady had been using the 737 [[Boeing Business Jet]] of the government to make "unofficial visits" to European Fashion Capitals, such as Milan, Paris and Geneva. The report mentioned that the trips are not on the official travel itinerary.<ref>Foreign Policy Magazine. Jan/Feb 2008. page 104</ref> Recently Tunisia refused a French request for the extradition of two of the President's nephews, from Leila's side, who are accused by the French State prosecutor of having stolen two mega-yachts from a French marina.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lci.tf1.fr/france/justice/2009-09/un-trafic-de-yachts-entre-la-france-et-la-tunisie-en-proces-4865862.html|title=Ajaccio - Un trafic de yachts entre la France et la Tunisie en procès|date=30 September 2009|language =French}}</ref> ===2009 National elections=== {{Main|Tunisian general election, 2009}} On October 25, 2009, national elections to elect the president and parliament were held in Tunisia in what was described by a Human Rights Watch report as "an atmosphere of repression".<ref>{{cite web|author=Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director |url=http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/10/23/tunisia-elections-atmosphere-repression |title=HRW.org |publisher=HRW.org |date=2009-10-23 |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> Ben Ali faced three candidates, two of whom said they actually supported the incumbent{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}}. No independent observer was allowed to monitor the vote.{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}} Zinedine Ben Ali, won a landslide victory, with 89.62%. His opponent, Mohamed Bouchiha, received 5.01%. The candidate who was most critical of the regime, Ahmed Ibrahim, of the [[Movement Ettajdid|Ettajdid party]], received only 1.57% after a campaign in which he was not allowed to put posters up or hold any kind of meeting.<ref>{{cite web|last=Linberg |first=Plum |url=http://www.cafebabel.co.uk/article/31706/ahmed-brahim-invisible-election-candidate-tunisia.html |title=Cafebabel.co.uk |publisher=Cafebabel.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> The president's party, the CDR, also got the majority of votes for the parliamentary election, 84.59%. The Movement of Socialist Democrats party received 4.63%.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}} The election received criticism in foreign media.<ref>{{cite news|author=Logged in as click here to log out |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/oct/19/tunisia-elections-rigging-ben-ali |title=Guardian.co.uk |publisher=Guardian |date= 2009-10-19|accessdate=2010-05-02 | location=London}}</ref> Human Rights Watch has reported that parties and candidates were denied exposure equal to the sitting president, and that the [[Movement Ettajdid|Ettajdid party's]] weekly publication, ''Ettarik al-Jadid'', was seized by authorities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/10/23/tunisia-elections-atmosphere-repression|accessdate=2009-10-30 |title= HRW, Tunisia: Elections in an Atmosphere of Repression |work=}}</ref> According to the [[Committee to Protect Journalists]], "97% of newspaper campaign coverage was devoted to President Ben Ali amid severe restrictions on independent reporting. Ben Ali’s government went after the country’s journalist union, bringing down its democratically elected board, while his police bullied and harassed critical reporters. Two journalists, one of them a leading critic of the president, were in jail later in the year. Journalist [[Taoufik Ben Brik]], who had published two articles in French newspapers that were critical of the regime, has been incarcerated since October 29, 2009. The Court of Appeal upheld a sentence of nine years on 3 January 2010 in a trial that "confirmed the complete absence of independence of the Tunisian legal system" the defendant's French lawyer [[William Bourdon]] said <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rsf.org/La-Cour-d-appel-confirme-la,36252.html |title=RSF.org |publisher=RSF.org |date= |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> Florence Beaugé, a correspondent for the French daily [[Le Monde]], tried to cover the polling but was put on a flight back to Paris on October 21.<ref>{{cite web|author=Attacks on the Press 2009: Tunisia |url=http://cpj.org/2010/02/attacks-on-the-press-2009-tunisia.php |title=CPJ.org |publisher=CPJ.org |date=2010-02-16 |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> <center> {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Candidate ! Percentage of votes (%) |- | style="background:#E32636; color:black" | Zine El Abidine Ben Ali (RCD) | 89.62% |- | style="background:coral; color:black;"| Mohamed Bouchiha (PPU) | 5.01% |- | style="background:#7BA05B; color:black" |Ahmed Linoubli (UDU) | 3.80% |- | style="background:#0070FF; color:black" | Ahmed Ibrahim (ME) | 1.57% |} </center> ==Economy== {{Main|Economy of Tunisia}} [[Image:BCT - Tunis.jpg|left|thumb|[[Central Bank of Tunisia]]]] Tunisia has a diverse economy, ranging from agriculture, mining, manufacturing, petroleum products and [[Tourism in Tunisia|tourism]]. In 2008 it had a GDP of $41 billion (official exchange rates), or $82 billion (purchasing power parity).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ts.html|title= cia world factbook, Tunisia|accessdate=2009-09-16 |work=}}</ref> It also has one of Africa and the Middle East's highest per-capita GDPs (PPP).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita|title= Wikipedia-list GDP per capita|accessdate=2009-01-19 |work=}}</ref> The agricultural sector stands for 11.6% of the GDP, industry 25.7%, and services 62.8%. The industrial sector is mainly made up of clothing and footwear manufacturing, production of car parts, and electric machinery. Although Tunisia managed an average 5% growth over the last decade it continues to suffer from a high unemployment especially among youth. [[File:GDP PIB tunisia.svg|thumb|200px|[[Gross domestic product|GDP]] growth rate (%)]] Tunisia was ranked the most competitive economy in Africa and the 40th in the world by the [[World Economic Forum]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weforum.org/pdf/GCR09/GCR20092010fullrankings.pdf |title=The Global Competitiveness Index 2009–2010 rankings |accessdate=2009-09-16 |work=}}</ref> Tunisia has managed to attract many international companies such as [[Airbus]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eturbonews.com/7499/airbus-build-plant-tunisia|accessdate=2009-09-16 |title=Airbus build plant in tunisia |work=}}</ref> and [[Hewlett-Packard]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.africanmanager.com/site_eng/articles/13578.html?pmv_nid=3|accessdate=2009-09-16 |title=HP to open customer service center in Tunisia |work=}}</ref> The [[European Union]] remains Tunisia's first trading partner, currently accounting for 72.5% of Tunisian imports and 75% of Tunisian exports. Tunisia is a one of the [[European Union]]’s most established trading partners in the [[Mediterranean region]] and ranks as the EU’s 30th largest trading partner. Tunisia was the first [[Mediterranean]] country to sign an Association Agreement with the [[European Union]], in July 1995, although even before the date of entry into force, Tunisia started dismantling tariffs on bilateral EU trade. Tunisia finalised the tariffs dismantling for industrial products in 2008 and therefore was the 1st Mediterranean country to enter in a free trade area with EU.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/bilateral/countries/tunisia/index_en.htm|accessdate=2009-09-16 |title=Bilateral relations Tunisia EU |work=}}</ref> Tunisia also attracted large Persian Gulf investments (especially from [[United Arab Emirates]]) the largest include: * [[Mediterranean gate]]: a US$ 25 billion project to build a new city in the south of Tunis.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.mediterraneangate.com/|title=Mediterranean Gate|accessdate=2009-09-16 |work=}}</ref> * [[Tunis Sport City]]: an entire sports city currently being constructed in Tunis, Tunisia. The city that will consist of apartment buildings as well as several sports facilities will be built by the Bukhatir Group at a cost of $5 Billion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportcitiesinternational.com/english/tunis_sports_city.shtml|title=Tunis Sport City|accessdate=2009-09-16 |work=}}</ref> * [[Tunis Financial harbour]]: will deliver [[North Africa]]’s first offshore financial centre at Tunis Bay in a project with an end development value of US$ 3 billion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gfh.com/en/our-business/tunis-financial-harbour.html|title=Tunis Financial Harbour|accessdate=2009-09-16 |work=}}</ref> * [[Tunis Telecom City]]: A US$ 3 billion project to create an IT hub in [[Tunis]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ameinfo.com/181104.html|title=Vision 3 announces Tunis Telecom City|accessdate=2009-09-16 |work=}}</ref> ===Oil and gas extraction=== Oil production of Tunisia is about {{convert|97600|oilbbl/d}}. The main field is El bourma.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mbendi.com/indy/oilg/af/tu/p0005.htm|title=Oil and Gas in Tunisia|accessdate=2009-10-09 |work=}}</ref> ==Energy== [[File:Energy tunisia.svg|thumb|Sources of electricity production<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.steg.com.tn/journee_sidi_salem/maitrise_energie.pdf|title= STEG, CEO speech|accessdate=2009-11-12 |work=}}</ref>]] The majority of the electricity used in Tunisia is produced locally, by state-owned company STEG (Société Tunisienne de l´Electricité et du Gaz). In 2008 a total of 13 747 GHW was produced in the country.<ref name="STEG in figures">{{cite web |url=http://www.steg.com.tn/en/institutionnel/electricite_chiffres.html|title= STEG, company website|accessdate=2009-10-28 |work=}}</ref> ===Oil and gas=== Oil production began in 1966 in Tunisia. Currently there are 12 oil fields.<ref name="MBendi economical information">{{cite web |url=http://www.mbendi.com/indy/oilg/af/tu/p0005.htm|title= MBendi oilfields in Tunisia|accessdate=2009-10-31 |work=}}</ref> Below is a list of the oil fields: {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Oil field ! Oil field |- | 7 November oil field | El Menzah field |- | Ashtart field | Belli field |- | Bouri field | Cercina field |- | El Biban field | El Borma field |- | Ezzaouia field | Miskar field |- | Sidi El Kilani field | Tazarka field |} ===Nuclear energy=== Tunisia is on the path of installing two nuclear powerplants within a 10 year period. Each one of these is projected at producing 900-1000 MW. In its effort to obtain nuclear energy, France is set to become an important partner. Tunisia and France have inked agreements, where France will deliver training and know-how amongst others.<ref name=Reuters>{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKLN941296|title= Reuters, Tunisias nuclear plans|accessdate=2009-11-04 |work= | date=2009-04-23}}</ref><ref name="African manager">{{cite web |url=http://www.africanmanager.com/site_eng/detail_article.php?art_id=12263|title= Tunisia : A civil nuclear station of 1000 Megawatt and two sites are selected|accessdate=2009-11-04 |work=}}</ref> ===Desertec project=== The [[Desertec]] project is a large-scale energy project aimed at installing solarpower panels in, and a grid connecting North Africa and Europe. Tunisia will be a part of this project, but exactly how it may benefit from it remains to be seen. ==Transportation== [[Image:Radès-La Goulette Bridge Oct2008.JPG|right|thumb|The new Radés-La Goulette bridge in Tunis.]] {{Main|Transport in Tunisia}} {{See|Rail transport in Tunisia}} * The country maintains 19 232&nbsp;km of roads,<ref name="cia world factbook, Tunisia">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ts.html|title= cia world factbook, Tunisia |accessdate=2009-01-23 |work=}}</ref> with the A1 Tunis-Sfax, P1 Tunis-Libya and P7 Tunis-Algeria being the major highways. * There are 30 airports in Tunisia, with [[Tunis Carthage International Airport]] and [[Monastir International Airport]] being the most important ones. A New airport, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali International Airport, was completed at the end of October 2009 and was due to open December 2009. However, it appears that flights are unlikely to start before the Easter season of 2010. The airport is located North of Sousse at Enfidha and is likely to serve the resorts of Hamammet and Port El Kantoui, together with inland cities such as Kairouan. There are four airlines headquartered in Tunisia: [[Tunisair]], [[Karthago Airlines]], [[Nouvelair]] and [[Sevenair]]. * The railway network is operated by [[SNCFT]] and amounts to 2135&nbsp;km in total.<ref name="cia world factbook, Tunisia"/> The Tunis area is served by a [[tram]] network, named ''Metro Leger''. ==Governorates and cities== ===Governorates=== [[Image:Governorates of Tunisia.svg|thumb|right|200px|Governorates of Tunisia]] {{Main|Governorates of Tunisia|Delegations of Tunisia}} Tunisia is subdivided into 24 [[governorate]]s, they are: <table><td><ol> <li> [[Ariana Governorate|Ariana]] <li> [[Béja Governorate|Béja]] <li> [[Ben Arous Governorate|Ben Arous]] <li> [[Bizerte Governorate|Bizerte]] <li> [[Gabès Governorate|Gabès]] <li> [[Gafsa Governorate|Gafsa]] <li> [[Jendouba Governorate|Jendouba]] <li> [[Kairouan Governorate|Kairouan]] <li> [[Kasserine Governorate|Kasserine]] <li> [[Kebili Governorate|Kebili]] <li> [[Kef Governorate|Kef]] <li> [[Mahdia Governorate|Mahdia]] </ol></td><td><ol start=13> <li> [[Manouba Governorate|Manouba]] <li> [[Medenine Governorate|Medenine]] <li> [[Monastir Governorate|Monastir]] <li> [[Nabeul Governorate|Nabeul]] <li> [[Sfax Governorate|Sfax]] <li> [[Sidi Bou Zid Governorate|Sidi Bou Zid]] <li> [[Siliana Governorate|Siliana]] <li> [[Sousse Governorate|Sousse]] <li> [[Tataouine Governorate|Tataouine]] <li> [[Tozeur Governorate|Tozeur]] <li> [[Tunis Governorate|Tunis]] <li> [[Zaghouan Governorate|Zaghouan]] </ol></td></table> The governorates are divided into 264 "[[Delegations of Tunisia|delegations]]" or "[[district]]s" (''mutamadiyat''), and further subdivided into [[municipality|municipalities]] (''shaykhats'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statoids.com/utn.html |title=Tunisia Governorates |publisher=Statoids.com |date= |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> and sectors (''imadats'').<ref>[http://www.tunisieindustrie.nat.tn/fr/doc.asp?mcat=12&mrub=105&msrub=204&dev=true ''Portail de l'industrie Tunisienne''], in French</ref> ===Major cities=== {{See also|List of cities in Tunisia}} {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! style="width:50px;"| Nr. ! style="width:150px;"| City ! style="width:170px;"| Population ! style="width:150px;"| Governatorate |- | <center>1</center> | '''[[Tunis]]''' | <div class="center"> 983,861 <ref>3,980,500 in the metropolitan area</ref></div> | [[Tunis Governorate|Tunis]] |- style="background:#efefef;" | <center>2</center> | '''[[Sfax]]''' | <div class="center">855,256 <ref>{{cite web |url=http://population.mongabay.com/population/tunisia/2467454/sfax|title= Mongabay.com, population of Sfax |accessdate=2009-10-09 |work=}}</ref></div> | [[Sfax Governorate|Sfax]] |- | <center>3</center> | '''[[Kairouan]]''' | <div class="center">546,209 <ref>{{cite web |url=http://population.mongabay.com/population/tunisia/2473449/kairouan|title= Mongabay.com, population of Kairouan |accessdate=2009-10-09 |work=}}</ref></div> | [[Kairouan Governorate|Kairouan]] |- style="background:#efefef;" | <center>4</center> | '''[[Sousse]]''' | <div class="center">544,413 <ref>{{cite web |url=http://population.mongabay.com/population/tunisia/2464915/sousse|title= Mongabay.com, population of Sousse |accessdate=2009-10-09 |work=}}</ref></div> | [[Sousse Governorate|Sousse]] |- | <center>5</center> | '''[[Ettadhamen-Mnihla|Ettadhamen]]''' <ref name=tt>Part of Tunis metropolitan area</ref> | <div class="center">422,246 <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fita.org/countries/tunisia.html?ma_rubrique=cadre|title= FITA, population of At Tadaman |accessdate=2009-10-09 |work=}}</ref></div> | [[Ariana Governorate|Ariana]] |- style="background:#efefef;" | <center>6</center> | '''[[Gabès]]''' | <div class="center">342,630 </div> | [[Gabès Governorate|Gabès]] |- | <center>7</center> | '''[[Bizerte]]''' | <div class="center">114,371</div> | [[Bizerte Governorate|Bizerte]] |- style="background:#efefef;" | <center>8</center> | '''[[Aryanah]]''' <ref name="tt"/> | <div class="center">97,687</div> | [[Ariana Governorate|Ariana]] |- | <center>9</center> | '''[[Gafsa]]''' | <div class="center">84,676</div> | [[Gafsa Governorate|Gafsa]] |- style="background:#efefef;" | <center>10</center> | '''[[El Mourouj]]''' <ref name="tt"/> | <div class="center">81,986</div> | [[Ben Arous Governorate|Ben Arous]] |} ==Military== {{Main|Military of Tunisia}} The Tunisian armed forces are divided into three branches: *Army *[[Tunisian Air Force|Air Force]] *Navy Tunisia's military spending is 1.6% of GDP (2006). The army is responsible for national defence and also internal security. ==Geography== {{Main|Geography of Tunisia}} [[Image:Tunisia Topography.png|left|thumb|Tunisia's Topography.]] [[Image:Golfe de Tunis et port de Sidi Bou Saïd.jpg|thumb|right|Gulf of Tunis]] [[Image:Jebel Ressas depuis le Lac de Tunis.jpg|thumb|right|Jebel Ressas from the Lake of Tunis]] Tunisia is situated on the [[Mediterranean]] coast of North Africa, midway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Nile Delta. It is bordered by [[Algeria]] on the west and [[Libya]] on the south east. An abrupt southward turn of the Mediterranean coast in northern Tunisia gives the country two distinctive Mediterranean coasts, west-east in the north, and north-south in the east. Tunisia is about the size of Indiana. Despite its relatively small size, Tunisia has great environmental diversity due to its north-south extent. Its east-west extent is limited. Differences in Tunisia, like the rest of the Maghreb, are largely north-south environmental differences defined by sharply decreasing rainfall southward from any point. The Dorsal, the eastern extension of the Atlas Mountains, runs across Tunisia in a northeasterly direction from the Algerian border in the west to the Cape Bon peninsula in the east. North of the Dorsal is the Tell, a region characterized by low, rolling hills and plains, again an extension of mountains to the west in Algeria. In the Khroumerie, the northwestern corner of the Tunisian Tell, elevations reach 1,050 meters and snow occurs in winter. The [[Sahel, Tunisia|Sahel,]] a broadening coastal plain along Tunisia's eastern Mediterranean coast, is among the world's premier areas of olive cultivation. Inland from the Sahel, between the Dorsal and a range of hills south of Gafsa, are the [[Steppes]]. Much of the southern region is [[semi-arid]] and [[desert]]. Tunisia has a coastline 1,148 kilometres long. In maritime terms, the country claims a contiguous zone of {{convert|24|nmi|1|lk=in}}, and a territorial sea of {{convert|12|nmi|1|abbr=on}}. ==Climate== Tunisia's climate is [[temperate]] in the north, with mild rainy winters and hot, dry summers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/country_guides/results.shtml?tt=TT000720 |title=Climate of Tunisia |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> The south of the country is desert. The terrain in the north is mountainous, which, moving south, gives way to a hot, dry central [[plain]]. The south is [[semiarid]], and merges into the [[Sahara]]. A series of [[Tunisian salt lakes|salt lakes]], known as ''chotts'' or ''shatts'', lie in an east-west line at the northern edge of the Sahara, extending from the [[Gulf of Gabes]] into [[Algeria]]. The lowest point is Shatt al Gharsah, at -17 m, and the highest is [[Jebel ech Chambi]], at 1544 metres. The region of Tunisia has some deserts, including part of the Sahara Desert in the south. In the north and mid the land is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. Tunisia does not get so cold in the winter that it snows, but the temperature still can get below {{convert|0|°C|°F}}. In the summer it can get up to {{convert|32|°C|°F|1}}. Most of Tunisia has four seasons. ==Demographics== {{Main|Demographics of Tunisia}} The majority (98%)<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ts.html Tunisia.] [[CIA World Factbook]].</ref> of modern Tunisians are considered as [[Arab]] and Arabized [[Berbers]],<ref>[http://www.columbiagazetteer.org/public/Tunisia.html Columbia Gazetteer]{{Dead link|date=May 2010}}</ref> and are speakers of [[Tunisian Arabic]]. However, there is also a small (1% at most)<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3509799.stm Q&A: The Berbers]. BBC News. March 12, 2004.</ref> population of [[Berber people|Berber]]s located in the Jabal Dahar mountains in the South East and on the island of [[Jerba]], though many more have Berber ancestry. The Berbers primarily speak [[Berber languages]], often called [[Shelha]]. The small European population (1%) consists mostly of French and Italians. There is also long established [[Jew]]ish community in the country, the [[history of the Jews in Tunisia]] going back some 2,000 years. In 1948 the Jewish population was an estimated 105,000, but by 2003 only about 1,500 remained.<ref>[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/anti-semitism/tunisjews.html The Jews of Tunisia]. [[Jewish Virtual Library]].</ref> The first people known to history in what is now Tunisia were the [[Berber people|Berber]]s. Numerous civilizations and peoples have invaded, migrated to, and been assimilated into the population over the millennia, with influences of population via conquest from [[Phoenicians]]/[[Carthaginians]], [[Roman Republic|Roman]]s, [[Vandal]]s, [[Arabs]], [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman Turks]], and [[French people|French]]. There was a continuing inflow of nomadic [[Banu Sulaym|Arab tribes]] from Arabia. Additionally, after the [[Reconquista]] and expulsion of non-Christians and [[Morisco]]s from Spain, many [[Spain|Spanish]] [[Moors]] and [[Jew]]s also arrived. As many as eighty thousand Moriscos settled in Tunisia in the early 17th century.<ref>{{Cite book | last = Carr | first = Matthew | title = [http://books.google.com/books?id=netlOtzI6R8C&pg=PA290&dq&hl=en#v=onepage&q=&f=false Blood and faith: the purging of Muslim Spain] | publisher = The New Press | date = 2009 | page = 290 | isbn = 1595583610 }} </ref> In addition, from the late 19th century to after World War II, Tunisia was home to large populations of [[French people|French]] and [[Italian Tunisians|Italians]] (255,000 Europeans in 1956),<ref>"''[http://books.google.com/books?id=EeWy7a6nAHcC&pg=PA214&dq&hl=en#v=onepage&q=&f=false Contours of the world economy, 1-2030 AD: essays in macro-economic history]''". Angus Maddison (2007). [[Oxford University Press]]. p.214. ISBN 0199227217</ref> although nearly all of them, along with the Jewish population, left after Tunisia became independent. ===Religion=== [[Image:Kairouan's Great Mosque courtyard.jpg|thumb|View of [[Mosque of Uqba|the Great Mosque of Kairouan]], due to its history and spiritual prestige, it is the most important mosque in Tunisia situated in the city of [[Kairouan]].]] {{Main|Religion in Tunisia}} {{Main|Islam in Tunisia}} The constitution declares [[Islam]] as the official [[state religion]] and requires the President to be [[Muslim]]. Tunisia also enjoys a significant degree of religious freedom, a right enshrined and protected in its constitution, which guarantees the freedom to practice one's religion.<ref name="irfrtun">{{Cite document | last1 = Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor | contribution = Report on Tunisia | title = International Religious Freedom Report 2008 | publisher = US State Department | url = http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108494.htm | year = 2008 | postscript = . }}</ref> The country has a secular culture that encourages acceptance of other religions; religious freedom is widely practiced. With regards to the freedom of Muslims, the Tunisian government has restricted the wearing of Islamic headscarves ([[hijab]]) in government offices and it discourages women from wearing them on public streets and public gatherings. The government believes the hijab is a "garment of foreign origin having a partisan connotation". There were reports that the Tunisian police harassed men with "Islamic" appearance (such as those with beards), detained them, and sometimes compelled men to shave their beards off.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2005/51611.htm |title=US Department of State |publisher=State.gov |date=2005-11-08 |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> In 2006, the Tunisian president declared that he would "fight" the hijab, which he refers to as "ethnic clothing".<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3314887,00.html Tunisia: War over hijab], [[Ynetnews.com]], October 14, 2006</ref> Individual Tunisians are tolerant of religious freedom and generally do not inquire about a person's personal beliefs.<ref name="irfrtun"/> [[Image:CathédraleSaintVincentdePaulEtIbnKhaldoun.JPG|thumb|left|[[Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul]]]] The majority of Tunisia's population (over 99%) are [[Muslims]], while about 0.25% follow [[Christianity]] and the rest (less than 0.25%) adhere to [[Judaism]] or other religions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ts.html#People |title=CIA — The World Factbook — Tunisia |accessdate=2007-01-13 |work=}}</ref> Tunisia has a sizable Christian community of around 25,000 adherents, mainly [[Catholics]] (20,000) and to a lesser degree [[Protestantism|Protestants]]. Judaism is the country's third largest religion with 1,500 members. One-third of the Jewish population lives in and around the capital. The remainder lives on the island of Djerba, with 39 synagogues, and where the Jewish community dates back 2,500 years.<ref name="irfrtun"/> [[Djerba]], an island in the [[Gulf of Gabès]], is home to [[El Ghriba synagogue]], which is one of the [[Oldest synagogues in the World|oldest synagogues in the world]]. Many Jews consider it a pilgrimage site, with celebrations taking place there once every year. In fact, Tunisia along with Morocco has been said to be the Arab countries most accepting of their Jewish populations.<ref>{{cite web|last=Harris |first=David A. |url=http://www.aish.com/jw/me/87098057.html |title=Usurping History |publisher=Aish.com |date=2010-03-13 |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> ===Language=== [[Image:Tunisian Arabic advert.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Advert primarily in Tunisian Arabic]] [[Modern Standard Arabic]] is the [[official language]], but [[Tunisian Arabic]] is the local vernacular and is considered Tunisia's native language. As is the case in the rest of the [[Arab League]], a local [[varieties of Arabic|variety of Arabic]] is used by the public. Tunisian Arabic is closely related to the [[Maltese language]].<ref>Borg and Azzopardi-Alexander Maltese (1997:xiii) "The immediate source for the Arabic vernacular spoken in Malta was Muslim Sicily, but its ultimate origin appears to have been Tunisia. In fact, Maltese displays some areal traits typical of [[Maghrebi Arabic|Maghrebine Arabic]], although during the past eight hundred years of independent evolution it has drifted apart from Tunisian Arabic."</ref> There is also a small minority of speakers of [[Shelha]], a [[Berber language]].<ref>Gabsi, Zouhir (2003) 'An outline of the Shilha (Berber) vernacular of Douiret (Southern Tunisia)', [http://library.uws.edu.au/adt-NUWS/public/adt-NUWS20040707.092709/ UWS.edu.au]</ref> Due to the former French occupation, [[French language|French]] also plays a major role in the country, despite having no official status. It is widely used in education (e.g., as the language of instruction in the sciences in secondary school), the press, and in business. Most Tunisians are able to speak it. Due to Tunisia's proximity to [[Italy]] and the large number of [[Italian Tunisians]], [[Italian language|Italian]] is well understood and spoken by the [[Tunisian]] population.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=f5r2KD61loIC Tunisia handbook], Justin McGuinness, Footprint Travel Guides, 2002.</ref> ===Media=== {{see|Censorship in Tunisia}} In practice, no public criticism of the regime is tolerated and all direct protest is severely suppressed and does not get reported in the local media. Tunisian journalists and human rights activists are harassed and face surveillance and imprisonment under harsh conditions. Several private radio stations have been established, including Mosaique FM, [[Shems FM]]<ref>[http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2010/10/05/feature-02 "Shems FM hits Tunisia airwaves"] Houda Trabelsi, October 5 2010</ref> and private television stations such as [[Hannibal-TV|Hannibal TV]] and [[Nessma TV]].<ref>[http://www.tunispro.net/tunisia/tv-in-tunisia.htm "Television TV in Tunisia"] TunisPro</ref> ==Education== {{Main|Education in Tunisia}} [[Image:Collège Sadiki-Kassus.jpg|thumb|left|[[Sadiki College]] in [[Tunis]]]] Education is given a high priority and accounts for 6% of [[Gross national product|GNP]]. A basic education for children between the ages of 6 and 16 has been compulsory since 1991. Tunisia ranked 17th in the category of "quality of the [higher] educational system" and 21st in the category of "quality of primary education" in [[The Global Competitiveness Report]] 2008-9, released by The World Economic Forum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weforum.org/en/initiatives/gcp/Global%20Competitiveness%20Report/index.htm |title=Weforum.org |publisher=Weforum.org |date= |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> While children generally acquire [[Tunisian Arabic]] at home, when they enter school at age 6, they are taught to read and write in [[Standard Arabic]]. From the age of 8, they are taught French while English is introduced at the age of 12. Colleges and universities in Tunisia include: * Ecole Polytechnique de Tunisie * International University of Tunis * Université Libre de Tunis * Université de l'Aviation et Technologie de Tunisie * Institut National d'Agronomie de Tunis * Université des Sciences de Tunis ==Culture== {{Main|Culture of Tunisia}} [[File:Theatre Municipal de Tunis.jpg|left|thumb|The National Opéra, in downtown Tunis.]] The culture of Tunisia is mixed due to their long established history of conquerors such as Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Arabs, Turks, Spaniards, and the French who all left their mark on the country. ===Sports=== [[File:Logo federation tunisienne de football.svg|right|thumb|National team logo.]] [[File:CA - Radès.jpg|left|thumb|7 November Radès Stadium]] The most popular sport in Tunisia is football. The national football team, also known as "The Eagles of Carthage," won the 2004 African Cup for Nations (CAN) which was held in Tunisia. They also represented Africa in the 2005 FIFA Cup of Confederations which was held in Germany, but they could not go beyond the first round. The Eagles of Carthage have participated in four World Cup Championships. The team's record in the World Cup is shown below: {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year in World Cup ! Result |- | 1978 | 1st Round |- | 1998 | 1st Round |- | 2002 | 1st Round |- | 2006 | 1st Round |} The premier football league is the "[[Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1]]". The main clubs are [[Espérance Sportive de Tunis]], [[Club Africain]], Sfaxian Sportive Club and [[Étoile Sportive du Sahel]]. The latter team participated in the 2008 World Cup for Clubs and reached the semi-final match, in which it was eliminated by Boca Juniors from Argentina. [[Image:Wissem Hmam 04.jpg|thumb|Wissem Hmam]] The [[Tunisia national handball team]] has participated in several handball world championships. In 2005 Tunisia came 4th. The national league consists of about 12 teams, with ES. Sahel and Esperance S.Tunis dominating. The most famous Tunisian handball player is [[Wissem Hmam]]. In [[2005 World Men's Handball Championship|the 2005 handball championship in Tunis]], Wisam Hmam was ranked as the top scorer of the tournament. The Tunisian national handball team won the African Cup 8 times, being the team dominating this competition. The Tunisians won the 2010 African Cup in Egypt by defeating the host country. [[File:Oussama Mellouli 1.jpg|left|upright=1.2|thumb|[[Oussama Mellouli]], gold medalist at the [[Beijing 2008|Beijing Summer Olympics]]]] In the 2008 Olympics, Tunisian [[Oussama Mellouli]] won a gold medal in 1500 freestyle. ===Festivals=== {{div col|2}} * Matmata Festival - Matmata (March) * Festival Oriljazz (April) * Festival "Tozeur, the Oriental, the African" (April) * International spring festival - Sbeitla (April) * Arab poetry festival - Tozeur - (April) * Carthage Jazz festival - Gammarth (April) * Tozeur’s International Oasis Festival - Tozeur (December) * Techno House festival - Gammarth (December) * Dar Sebastian celebrates opera festival - lyrical festival -(December) * Caravana Latina” Festival - Tozeur (December) * Traditional Saharan festival - Douz (December) {{div col end}} ==Affiliations== Tunisia is a member of the following organizations: <center> {| class="wikitable" colspan="2" |- |Organization |Dates |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[United Nations]] | since 12 November 1956 |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[Arab League]] | since 1958 |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[Organization of the Islamic Conference]] | since 1969 |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[World Trade Organization]] | since 29 March 1995 |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[Mediterranean Dialogue|Mediterranean Dialogue group]] | since February 1995 |} </center> ==See also== {{Portal|Africa}} {{Main|Outline of Tunisia}} ==References== {{Reflist|2}} ==External links== {{Sister project links}} *[http://www.tunisie.gov.tn/index.php?lang=english Government of Tunisia] *{{dmoz|Regional/Africa/Tunisia}} *{{CIA World Factbook link|ts|Tunisia}} *{{wikiatlas|Tunisia}} *{{Wikitravel}} {{Geographic location | Northwest = {{flag|Algeria}} | North = {{flag|Italy}}<br />''[[Mediterranean Sea]]'' | Northeast = {{flag|Italy}} • {{flag|Malta}}<br />''Mediterranean Sea'' | West = Algeria | Centre = {{flagicon|Tunisia}} [[Outline of Tunisia|Tunisia]] | East = ''Mediterranean Sea'' | Southwest = Algeria | South = Algeria • {{flag|Libya}} | Southeast = {{flag|Libya}} }} {{Template group |title = Geographic locale |list = {{Tunisia topics}} {{Governorates of Tunisia}} {{Countries of North Africa}} {{Countries and territories bordering the Mediterranean Sea}} }} {{Template group |title = International membership |list = {{Member states of the Arab Maghreb Union}} {{Arab League}} {{Member states of the African Union}} {{Community of Sahel-Saharan States}} {{OIC|state=collapsed}} {{La Francophonie}} {{Semitic-speaking}} }} [[Category:Tunisia| ]] [[Category:African countries]] [[Category:African Union member states]] [[Category:Arab League member states]] [[Category:Arabic-speaking countries]] [[Category:Countries of the Mediterranean Sea]] [[Category:French-speaking countries]] [[Category:Member states of La Francophonie]] [[Category:Member states of the Union for the Mediterranean]] [[Category:Organisation of the Islamic Conference members]] [[Category:States and territories established in 1956]] [[Category:North Africa]] {{Link FA|fr}} {{Link FA|hr}} {{Link FA|ur}} [[ace:Tunisia]] [[af:Tunisië]] [[ak:Tunisia]] [[als:Tunesien]] [[am:ቱኒዚያ]] [[ang:Tunisia]] [[ar:تونس]] [[an:Tunicia]] [[arc:ܬܘܢܣ (ܐܬܪܐ)]] [[frp:Tunisie]] [[ast:Tunicia]] [[az:Tunis]] [[bm:Tunizi]] [[bjn:Tunisia]] [[bn:তিউনিসিয়া]] [[zh-min-nan:Tunisia]] [[be:Туніс]] [[be-x-old:Туніс]] [[bcl:Tunisya]] [[bo:ཏུ་ནི་ཤི་ཡ།]] [[bs:Republika Tunis]] [[br:Tunizia]] [[bg:Тунис]] [[ca:Tunísia]] [[cv:Тунис]] [[ceb:Tunisia]] [[cs:Tunisko]] [[cy:Tunisia]] [[da:Tunesien]] [[de:Tunesien]] [[dv:ތޫނިސް]] [[et:Tuneesia]] [[el:Τυνησία]] [[es:Túnez]] [[eo:Tunizio]] [[ext:Túnis]] [[eu:Tunisia]] [[fa:تونس]] [[hif:Tunisia]] [[fo:Tunesia]] [[fr:Tunisie]] [[fy:Tuneezje]] [[ga:An Túinéis]] [[gv:Yn Tooneesh]] [[gd:Tuinisia]] [[gl:Tunisia - تونس]] [[ko:튀니지]] [[haw:Tunisia]] [[hy:Թունիս]] [[hi:ट्यूनिशिया]] [[hsb:Tuneziska]] [[hr:Tunis]] [[io:Tunizia]] [[ilo:Tunisia]] [[bpy:তিউনিসিয়া]] [[id:Tunisia]] [[ie:Tunisia]] [[os:Тунис]] [[is:Túnis]] [[it:Tunisia]] [[he:תוניסיה]] [[jv:Tunisia]] [[kn:ಟುನೀಶಿಯ]] [[pam:Tunisia]] [[ka:ტუნისი]] [[ks:टुनिशिया]] [[kk:Тунис]] [[kw:Tunisi]] [[sw:Tunisia]] [[kg:Tunisia]] [[ht:Tinizi]] [[ku:Tûnis (dewlet)]] [[lad:Tunesia]] [[la:Tunesia]] [[lv:Tunisija]] [[lb:Tunesien]] [[lt:Tunisas]] [[lij:Tunixia]] [[ln:Tunisia]] [[lmo:Tünisia]] [[hu:Tunézia]] [[mk:Тунис]] [[mg:Tonizia]] [[ml:ടുണീഷ്യ]] [[mt:Tuneżija]] [[mr:ट्युनिसिया]] [[arz:تونس]] [[mzn:تونس]] [[ms:Tunisia]] [[mn:Тунис]] [[nah:Tunez]] [[nl:Tunesië]] [[new:ट्युनिसिया]] [[ja:チュニジア]] [[no:Tunisia]] [[nn:Tunisia]] [[nov:Tunisia]] [[oc:Tunisia]] [[uz:Tunis]] [[pnb:ٹیونس]] [[pap:Tunesia]] [[ps:تونس]] [[pms:Tunisìa]] [[nds:Tunesien]] [[pl:Tunezja]] [[pt:Tunísia]] [[crh:Tunis]] [[ro:Tunisia]] [[rm:Tunesia]] [[qu:Tunisya]] [[ru:Тунис]] [[sah:Тунис]] [[se:Tunisia]] [[sa:टुनिशिया]] [[sg:Tunizïi]] [[sc:Tunisia]] [[sco:Tunisie]] [[stq:Tunesien]] [[sq:Tunizia]] [[scn:Tunisìa]] [[simple:Tunisia]] [[ss:IThunisiya]] [[sk:Tunisko]] [[sl:Tunizija]] [[szl:Tůnezyjo]] [[so:Tunisiya]] [[sr:Тунис]] [[sh:Tunis]] [[fi:Tunisia]] [[sv:Tunisien]] [[tl:Tunisya]] [[ta:துனீசியா]] [[kab:Tunes]] [[tt:Тунис]] [[te:ట్యునీషియా]] [[th:ประเทศตูนิเซีย]] [[ti:ቱኒዢያ]] [[tg:Тунис]] [[tr:Tunus]] [[uk:Туніс]] [[ur:تونس]] [[ug:تۇنىس]] [[vec:Tunixia]] [[vi:Tunisia]] [[vo:Tünisän]] [[fiu-vro:Tuneesiä]] [[wa:Tunizeye]] [[war:Tunisia]] [[wo:Tiniisi]] [[wuu:突尼斯]] [[ts:Tunisia]] [[yi:טוניסיע]] [[yo:Tùnísíà]] [[diq:Tunıs]] [[bat-smg:Tonėsos]] [[zh:突尼西亞]]'