TunisiaThe '''Tunisian Republic''' (الجمهورية التونسية), or '''Tunisia''', is a Muslim Arab country situated on the North Africa|African Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean coast. It is the easternmost and smallest of the three nations along the Atlas mountains|Atlas mountain range, bordering the two others: Tunisia is bounded on the west by Algeria, on the north and east by the Mediterranean Sea, and on the southeast by Libya. Forty per cent of the country is comprised by the Sahara desert, with much of the remainder consisting of particularly Fertile soil|fertile land and easily accessible coasts. Both played a prominent role in Ancient history|ancient times, first with the founding of the famous Phoenician city of Carthage, and later,it became known as the bread basket of the Roman Empire. The coast of Tunisia was settled in 10th cent. B.C. by Phoenicians. In the 6th cent. B.C., Carthage rose to power, but it was conquered by Rome (2d cent. B.C.), and the region became one of the granaries of Rome. It was held by Vandals (5th cent. A.D.) and Byzantines (6th cent.). In the 7th cent. it was conquered by Arabs, who founded Al Qayrawan. Successive Muslim dynasties ruled, interrupted by Berber rebellions. The reigns of the Aghlabids (9th cent.) and of the Zirids (from 972), Berber followers of the Fatimids, were especially prosperous. When the Zirids angered the Fatimids in Cairo (1050), the latter ravaged Tunisia. The coasts were briefly held by the Normans of Sicily in the 12th cent. In 1159, Tunisia was conquered by the Almohad caliphs of Morocco. The Almohads were succeeded by the Berber Hafsids (c.1230?1574), under whom Tunisia prospered. In the last years of the Hafsids, Spain seized many of the coastal cities, but they were recovered for Islam by the Ottoman Turks. Under its Turkish governors, the beys, Tunisia attained virtual independence. In the late 16th cent. the coast became a pirate stronghold (see Barbary States). The Hussein dynasty of beys, established in 1705, lasted until 1957.It is thought that the name Tunis originated from Berber languages|Berber, meaning either a geographical promontory, enveloped by the sea, or, 'to spend the night.' {| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=300 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" |+<big><big>'''الجمهورية التونسية El-joumhouriyya et-Tounisiyya'''</big></big> |- | style="background:#efefef;" align="center" colspan="2" | {| border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" | align="center" width="140px" | Image:Tunisia_flag_large.png|125px|Flag of Tunisia | align="center" width="140px" | Image:Armes tunisie.jpg|90px|Coa of Tunisia |- | align="center" width="140px" | (Flag of Tunisia|In Details) | align="center" width="140px" | (Coat of arms of Tunisia|In Details) |} |- | align=center style="vertical-align: top;" colspan=2 | ''List of state mottos|National motto: n/a'' |- | align=center colspan=2 style="background: #ffffff;" | image:LocationTunisia.png |- | '''Official language''' | Arabic language|Arabic |- | '''Capital''' | Tunis |- | '''President of Tunisia|President''' | Zine El Abidine Ben Ali |- | '''Prime Minister of Tunisia|Prime Minister''' | Mohamed Ghannouchi |- | '''Area'''  - Total | List of countries by area|Ranked 89th 163,610 square kilometre|km² |- | '''Population '''  - Total (2003) | List of countries by population|Ranked 81st 9,924,742 |- | '''Currency''' | Tunisian Dinar |- | '''Time zone'''  - in Daylight saving time|summer | Central European Time|CET (Coordinated Universal Time|UTC+1) Central European Summer Time|CEST (Coordinated Universal Time|UTC+2) |- | '''Independence'''  - Granted | (from France) March 20 1956 |- | '''National anthem''' | ''Himat Al Hima'', ''Ala Khallidi'' |- | '''Top-level domain|Internet TLD''' | .tn |- | '''List of country calling codes|Calling Code''' | 216 |} ==History== ''Main article: History of Tunisia'' Tunisia was the site of Carthage, a state conquered by the Roman Empire, which withdrew in the 5th century. It was conquered by Arab Islam|Muslims in the 7th century, and later became part of the Ottoman Empire. In the 19th century it remained officially Ottoman but increasingly independent. It was made a France|French protectorate on May 12, 1881. It achieved independence in 1956, and has had two presidents since. ==Politics== ''Main article: Politics of Tunisia'' Tunisia is a republic with a strong presidential system dominated by a single political party. President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has been in office since 1987 when he deposed Habib Bourguiba, who had been President since Tunisia's independence from France in 1956. The ruling party, the Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD), was the sole legal party for 25 years--when it was known as the Socialist Destourian Party (PSD) - and still dominates political life . The President is elected to 5-year terms - with virtually no opposition - and appoints a Prime Minister and cabinet, who play a strong role in the execution of policy. Regional governors and local administrators also are appointed by the central government; largely consultative mayors and municipal councils are elected. There is a unicameral legislative body, the Chamber of Deputies, which has 182 seats, 20% of which are reserved for the opposition. It plays a growing role as an arena for debate on national policy but never originates legislation and virtually always passes bills presented by the executive with only minor changes. The judiciary is nominally independent but responds to executive direction especially in political cases. The military is professional and does not play a role in politics. There are currently six legal opposition parties. Tunisia is going for its Municipal Elections in May 2005. See also: * Foreign relations of Tunisia ==Governorates== ''Main article: Governorates of Tunisia'' Tunisia is subdivided into 24 governorates. ==Geography== Image:Tunisia_sm03.png|thumb|240px|Map of Tunisia ''Main article: Geography of Tunisia'' Tunisia is in north Africa, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara Desert and between Algeria and Libya. Much of the land is semi-arid and desert. There are mountains in the north. The climate is temperate in the north, with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. The desert is in the south. See also: * List of cities in Tunisia ==Economy== ''Main article: Economy of Tunisia'' 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 5.0% in the 1990s, and inflation is slowing. Growth in tourism and increased trade have been key elements in this steady growth. Tunisia's association agreement with the European Union (EU) entered into force on March 1 1998, the first such accord between the EU and Mediterranean countries to be activated. 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. In 2008, Tunisia will be a completely associated member of the E.U. (comparable to the status of Norway or Iceland). ==Culture of Tunisia== ''Main article: Culture of Tunisia'' See also: * Tunisian Arabic * Music of Tunisia * Islam in Tunisia ==Miscellaneous Topics== * Demographics of Tunisia * Communications in Tunisia * Transportation of Tunisia * Military of Tunisia ==External links== * [http://tunisia.ianandwendy.com/ Pictures and photos of Tunisia, including a traveller's travelogue] http://www.tunisiaonline.com Category:Tunisia|* Category:Arab League Category:African Union member states  ar:تونس bg:Тунис ca:Tunísia da:Tunesien de:Tunesien et:Tuneesia es:Túnez eo:Tunizio eu:Tunisia fa:تونس fr:Tunisie ko:튀니지 hr:Tunis io:Tunizia id:Tunisia it:Tunisia he:תוניסיה ks:टुनिशिया la:Tunesia lv:Tunisija lt:Tunisas ms:Tunisia nl:Tunesië nds:Tunesien ja:チュニジア no:Tunisia pl:Tunezja pt:Tunísia ru:Тунис sa:टुनिशिया sk:Tunisko sl:Tunizija sr:Тунис fi:Tunisia sv:Tunisien uk:Туніс zh:突尼西亞 zh-min-nan:Tunisia First page | Prev | Next | Last page |

This article on Tunisia is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Tunisia".

if you like cool drinks you may be interested in:

The best prices - up to 45% discount - the best brands - Armani, Lacoste, Aquascutum, Evisu, Prada, Burberrys - and the biggest range - new season stock still arriving - all makes the Brown Bag offering exciting

She Desires is the indulgence store for women. Selling everything from home spa products, to chocolate, adult toys and much more, She Desires has everything a woman could desire to pamper, indulge and feel good.

Hope you enjoyed reading about Tunisia

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page - St Augustine

: Home ::