Home of the ancient city of Carthage, Tunisia has for a long time been an important player in the Mediterranean, placed as it is in the centre of North Africa, close to vital shipping routes.
In their time, the Romans, Arabs, Ottoman Turks and French realised its strategic significance, making it a hub for control over the region.
|
OVERVIEW |
|
French colonial rule came to an end in 1956, and Tunisia was led for three decades by Habib Bourguiba, who insisted on advancing secular ideas, with emancipation for women, the abolition of polygamy and compulsory free education. Married to a Frenchwoman, Bourguiba insisted on an anti-Islamic fundamentalist line, while increasing his own powers to become a virtual dictator.
In 1987 he was dismissed on grounds of senility and Zine El Abidine Ben Ali came into office. He continued with a hard line against Islamic extremists, but inherited an economically stable country.
Although Tunisia has introduced some press freedoms and has freed a number of political prisoners, human rights groups say the authorities tolerate no dissent, harrassing government critics as well as rights activists.
Mr Ben Ali faced reproach at home and abroad for his party's three "99.9%" election wins. The opposition condemned him for extending his term of office in 2002.
|
FACTS |
|
Population: 10 million (UN, 2005)
Capital: Tunis
Area: 164,150 sq km (63,378 sq miles)
Major languages: Arabic (official); French
Major religion: Islam
Life expectancy: 71 years (men), 75 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Tunisian dinar (TD) = 1,000 millimes
Main exports: Agricultural products, textiles, oil
GNI per capita: US $2,240 (World Bank, 2005)
Internet domain: .tn
International dialling code: +216
|
LEADERS |
|
|
President: Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
President Ben Ali was re-elected for a fourth five-year term in October 2004, in the second multi-party presidential elections since independence.
President Ben Ali took office in 1987 |
Official results gave him 94 per cent of the vote. The main opposition group, the Democratic Progressive Party, pulled out two days before the vote saying its participation would only legitimise a masquerade of democracy.
Mr Ben Ali, from the ruling Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD), had been due to retire in 2004 but secured support in a referendum for changes to the constitution allowing him a further two terms.
Born in 1936 in Hammam Sousse, Mr Ben Ali was Tunisia's ambassador in Warsaw in 1980 and became prime minister in October 1987.
He was sworn in as the new president in 1987, after doctors declared President Habib Bourguiba unfit to govern because of senility.
Prime minister: Mohamed Ghannouchi
Foreign minister: Abdelawahab Abdallah
Finance minister: Mohamed Rachid Kechiche
|
MEDIA |
|
Although freedom of opinion and expression is guaranteed by the Tunisian constitution, the government tightly controls the press and broadcasting.
The state-run Tunisian Radio and Television Establishment (ERTT) operates two national TV channels and several radio networks.
The use of satellite dishes is widespread and Egyptian and pan-Arab stations command large audiences. Two London-based opposition TV channels can be received; Al Mustaqillah TV and Zeitouna TV. Until late 2003 the state had a monopoly on radio broadcasting.
Press codes shape coverage and stipulate large fines and prison sentences for violators. Journals are screened by the authorities before publication and the government encourages a high degree of self-censorship.
Discussion of corruption and human rights in the media is taboo. Editions of foreign newspapers, including French and pan-Arab publications, are regularly seized. There are several privately-run newspapers and magazines, including two opposition party journals.
Media rights organisations say the intimidation of journalists is widespread. In 2002 the editor of a satirical website was jailed for "putting out false news". The editor had placed opposition material on his site.
Internet monitoring is omnipresent in Tunisia. Websites containing content which is critical of the government are frequently blocked.
The press:
La Presse - owned by ruling RCD party
Al-Horria - owned by ruling RCD party
Nouvelles de Tunisie - daily
Assabah - daily
Le Quotidien - daily
Television:
Tunisian Radio and Television Establishment (ERTT) - state-run, operates Tunis 7, Canal 21
Hannibal TV - first private TV station, via satellite
Radio:
Tunisian Radio - state-run
Radio Mosaique - Tunis FM station; Tunisia's first private radio station 
