Tunisia

In 2004, Tunisia experienced a second consecutive year of sustained growth, due to good performances of its main two economic poles: agriculture and tourism. Annual GDP growth rate was 5.6% in 2003, 5.8% in 2004 and 5% in 2005. The IMF forecasts a 5.9% growth in 2006. Tunisia shows one of the best regional economic performances but has to face high unemployment (15% of the active population), high public and external debt and necessity to diversify its economy. Tunisia plans to become a regional pole in the field of Information Technologies (IT) but this sector is not growth-generating yet.

Agriculture provides nearly 12% of the GDP and employs almost a quarter of the active population. Agricultural yields strongly depend on climatic vagaries. Cereals and olive oil are the main crops. Tunisia benefits from some mining resources such as oil, gas or iron. The country is one of the world's leader phosphates producer. The manufacturing industry amounts to 20% of the GDP and textile is the main activity. Tourism is very developed and the country attracts over five million visitors a year.

Tunisia is pursuing its policy of foreign economic openness started in 1998, when EU-Tunisia association agreement came into effect. A wide free trade zone between the EU and 12 South-Mediterranean countries including Tunisia should be implemented by 2010. The country's top three trade partners are France, Italy and germany, concerning exports as well as imports. The country mainly imports machinery, hydrocarbons, capital goods and cotton.

Population

Main Cities Population Tunis   925,9   Sfax   797,9   Ariana   665   Nabeul   624,6   Kairouan   558,7   Bizerte   513,9   Total population (millions): 10 Source: World Bank 2004   Urban population: 64% Source: World Bank 2004   Average annual population growth: 1.2% Source: World Bank 2004   Surface area (km²) : 16, 610   Population origin Origin of the population % Of the population Arab (98 %) European (1 %)

 

Languages Official language: Arabic The majority of Tunisians can speak French, which is used for business, and sometimes for administrative purposes.   Free translation tools in Tunisia : Arjeeb Free English-Arabic-English translation of texts and web pages Ectaco Free Arabic-English-Arabic dictionary

Religion Religious practises : Muslims 98% Christians 1% Jews 1%.

Political system Tunisia is a presidential republic. The President of the Republic is elected by direct universal suffrage every five years for a maximum of three consecutive terms. The parliament is composed of one single Chamber: the Chamber of Deputies, composed of 163 members elected by universal suffrage, every five years. The Democrat constitutional Gathering (RCD) is the party ruling with 144 seats. The main opposition parties are the socialist democrats' Movement (MSD), Harakat Ettaldid, the Popular Unit Party (PUP) the Democrat Union. These parties have little influence. Tunisia Republic is divided into 23 provinces. President: Zine el Abidine Ben Ali (since 1987, reelected on October, 24th of 2004) RCD Prime minister: Mohamed Ghannouchi (1999) RCD The president is elected for a five-year term by the people.

Climate

 

Tourism

Number of visitors in Tunisia 2002 2003 2004 World rank Number of visitors (1000) 5064   5114   5998   n.a. Source : World Tourisme Organization, data available in November 2005

 

Tourist sites -Tunis: the Africa building, the Bardo Museum, the Islamic Ceramic Museum -Carthage: aqueduct: 344 arches - 141 km long, the national Museum. -Djerba: El Jem: archaeological Museum, beaches. -Kairouan: national Museum of Islamic arts. -the following tourist places are part of the world patrimony: -Carthage (archeological site) -Dougga / Thugga -El Jem (Roman amphitheatre) For more information about tourism in Tunisia , check out the following web site(s) : Tunisian National Tourism Office.

Food Traditional dishes The Tunisian food is famous for its lamb-based dishes. The following specialties can be found: Couscous Tajines (kind of meat stews) Bric: mutton-based dishes The Tunisian dishes are very flavoured: caraway, coriander, saffron, cinnamon, anisee, mint, orange, rose water.   Food-related taboos To eat pork is prohibited and the sale of alcohol is limited.