Tunisia

__Tunisia, Africa__

Rivalry between French and Italian interests in Tunisia culminated in a French invasion in 1881 and the creation of a protectorate. Agitation for independence in the decades following World War I was finally successful in getting the French to recognize Tunisia as an independent state in 1956. The country's first 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 November 1987, Bourguiba was removed from office and replaced by Zine el Abidine Ben Ali in a bloodless coup. Ben Ali is currently serving his fourth consecutive five-year term as president; the next elections are scheduled for October 2009. Tunisia has long taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to defuse rising pressure for a more open political society. red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam Location**: Northern Africa bordering the Medeterranean, in betwen Libya and Algeria. Total: 163,610 sq km (69th) Algeria and Libya Temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1% Republic 18 years of age; universal except for active government security forces (including the police and the military), people with mental disabilities, people who have served more than three months in prison (criminal cases only), and people given a suspended sentence of more than six months. $7,900 (2008 est.) (121st) Olives, olive oil, grain, tomatoes, citrus fruit, sugar beets, dates, almonds; beef, dairy products Textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, food Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1% Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce) Mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara Petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt Arable land: 17.05%, Permanent crops: 13.08%, Other: 69.87% none Toxic and hazardous waste disposal is ineffective and poses health risks; water pollution from raw sewage; limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Tunis Leader**: Military Expenditures**: 1.4% of GDP (114th) Petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages Tunisian dinars (TND) per US dollar - 1.211 (2008 est.), 1.2776 (2007), 1.331 (2006), 1.2974 (2005), 1.2455 (2004) 7.3% of GDP (19th) 10,486,339 (77th) 0.98% (127th) 0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (108th) Infant Morality Rate**: 22.57 deaths/1,000 live births (98th) male: 24.81 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.17 deaths/1,000 live births 75.78 years (72nd) male: 24.81 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.17 deaths/1,000 live births age 15 and over can read and write total population: 74.3% male: 83.4% female: 65.3% 20 March 1956 (from France) Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural, mining, 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. Progressive social policies also have helped raise living conditions in Tunisia relative to the region. Real growth, which averaged almost 5% over the past decade, declined to 4.7% in 2008 and probably will decline further in 2009 because of economic contraction and slowing of import demand in Europe - Tunisia's largest export market. However, development of non-textile manufacturing, a recovery in agricultural production, and strong growth in the services sector somewhat mitigated the economic effect of slowing exports. Tunisia will need to reach even higher growth levels to create sufficient employment opportunities for an already large number of unemployed as well as the growing population of university graduates. The challenges ahead include: privatizing industry, liberalizing the investment code to increase foreign investment, improving government efficiency, reducing the trade deficit, and reducing socioeconomic disparities in the impoverished south and west. 14.1% (149th) clothing, semi-finished goods and textiles, agricultural products, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, hydrocarbons, electrical equipment. 1.722 million (167th) Most toruists go on tours in the sahara and go to the beaches. 670: The city of Karouan in what is now Tunisia is founded 913: The Shiite Fatimid state in modern day Tunisia launches a failed military campaign against Egypt 1881: In North Africa Tunasia becomes a French protectorate 1943: World War II:Battle of the Kasserine Pass - German General Erwin Rommel and his Africa Korps launch an offensive against Allied defenses in Tunisia; it is the United States' first major battle defeat of the war. 1956: Tunisia gains independence from France. 1956: Habib Bourgiba is elected prime minister of Tunisia. 1957: Tunisia becomes a republi 1958: Tunisia and Morroco join the Arab League 1962: France and Tunisia reestablish diplomatic relations 1966: Tunisia severs diplomatic relations with the United Arab Republic
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 * President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali
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President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, on Thursday morning, chaired in Bizerte the ceremony commemorating the 46th anniversary of Evacuation Day in an atmosphere of reverence for the memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to clear the national territory of the last foreign soldier. A particularly warm people’s welcome was extended to President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali by men and women citizens of the governorate of Bizerte, who gathered in front of Martyrs Square, waving national colors, portraits of the Head of State and banderoles greeting the President of the Republic and reaffirming loyalty to the homeland martyrs. Citizens chanted cheers at length, wishing long life to President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and reiterating their gratitude for the progress recorded in the governorate of Bizerte in all fields. They also reaffirmed support to the civilizational choices of the president and allegiance to the Head of State so that Tunisia keep on forging ahead on the way of progress and prosperity. President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali walked through November 7 Avenue to wave back to the greetings of citizens who flocked enthusiastically in order to express delight at meeting him. Upon arrival on Martyrs Square, the Head of State was greeted by the Prime Minister, the National Defense Minister and local officials. He saluted the flag as the national anthem was being performed and reviewed a detachment of the three arms paying him honors. The President of the Republic then headed to the Martyrs Memorial where he laid a spray of flowers and recited the opening verses of the Koran to the memory of martyrs. This remembrance ceremony was also attended by the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, the Speaker of the Chamber of Advisors, the Members of the RCD politburo, the Members of Government, the General Secretaries of political parties , the Heads of national organizations, consultative councils and official bodies as well as a large number of Activists, Resistance Members and Senior State Executives.
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