Tunisia
by Unknown,
used under
|
General InformationPopulation (2014 est.):10,937,521 (growth rate: 0.92%)
Capital and Largest City (2013 est.) Tunis, Population: 2,321,227 Monetary unit: Tunisian dinar Type of Government: Republic Languages: Arabic (official, commerce), French (commerce), Berber (Tamazight) Ethnicity/Race: Arab-Berber 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1% Religions: Islam (Sunni) 99.1%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Shia Muslim, and Baha'i) 1% GDP: $108.4 billion; per capita $9,900. GDP Growth Rate: 2.8% Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt. |
War/Strife
Tunisian Independence after World War II
On 20 March 1956, Tunisia gained its independence from France after two years of negotiations between the French and the Neo-Destour (“New Constitution”) party, which was backed by the trade unions. More information and timelines of these events can be found here. Jasmine Revolution - Arab Springs Perhaps the most significant recent issue in the Northern region of Africa has been the violent protests in Tunisia known as the Jasmine Revolution. These protests were sprung from a history of unemployment, political suppression, corruption, and economic crisis. This revolution began in December 2010 until the eventual ousting of President Ben Ali in January 2011. The revolution became very violent which resulted in deaths due to police action against protests. A more complete coverage of the Jasmine Revolution and the Arab Springs can be found here. |
by VOA Photo/L. Bryant,
used under
|
Natural Resources
Petroleum and phosphate are the two most important natural resources in Tunisia. They are also a big in fertilizer exporting and utilize other resources such as zinc, lead, and iron. However, Tunisia does not produce much compared to neighboring countries such as Libya and Algeria.
Nearly one third of their phosphate is exported and the rest is used in the domestic chemical industries. (Talbi, 2015). Phosphate was their single most important mineral until petroleum was discovered. Petroleum was discovered in 1960s and has remained one of their most important resources alongside phosphate. More analysis of Tunisia's major natural resources can be found here. |
by Dennis Jarvis,
used under
|
AgricultureTunisia is historically an agricultural country. This small country is the most northernmost part of the country. Annual agricultural production can vary significantly from year to year due to Tunisia's unpredictable and largely irregular rainfall patterns. Almost all of Tunisia's water is used in irrigation, and the government is seeking more efficient methods that will conserve water (Export Impact, 2006).
Tunisia's economy is shifting to being a more modern one with specialized and service jobs, but the agricultural sector is still of vital importance, contributing 12.6 % of GDP and employing almost one quarter of the country's labour force. Agricultural produce represents about 6 % of the country's export earnings. The main cereal crops are wheat and barley. Tunisian farmers grow olives, dates and fresh fruits for both export and domestic consumption. Meat , mainly chicken, sheep and cattle, and tomatoes and potatoes represent important comestible goods as well. The main agricultural export is olive oil (Encyclopedia of the Nations, 2012). Tunisia is also making strides in the organic field of agriculture. The still do use pesticides and herbicides in most of their fields but in the last ten years, organic land area, number of farmers, and crop diversification increased rapidly (Export Impact, 2006). More information on agriculture in Tunisia can be found here. |
by Hans,
used under
|
Economic Development
"Tunisia has a well-diversified economy, although it remains dominated by only a few large sectors. The economy depends heavily on mineral exports, especially petroleum and phosphates, a growing manufacturing sector that has received much investment, and agricultural products. Tourism is also a significant source of revenue and foreign exchange, as are remittances from migrant workers living abroad. While foreign debt has been brought under control, the country continues to suffer from a regional imbalance between the north and Al-Sāḥil region, which are more fertile and more economically developed, and the arid central and southern regions, which have fewer natural advantages." (Clarke, 2015)
"After a brief experiment with socialism in the 1960s, Tunisia shifted its economic doctrine toward a mixed planned and market economy. However, the economy fell into crisis in the early 1980s, the result of an overreliance on oil revenues, foreign aid, and labour remittances. In the mid-1980s a comprehensive program was introduced to liberalize the economy, which helped restore Tunisia’s international credit standing, stabilize public finances, reduce budget deficits and inflation, improve trade balances, and increase foreign and domestic investments. Public-sector reforms, deregulation, and privatization have also been implemented. The program has not been without its social costs, however, as unemployment and poverty levels rose. Nonetheless, the country’s per capita gross national product has continued to grow steadily." (Clarke, 2015)
"After a brief experiment with socialism in the 1960s, Tunisia shifted its economic doctrine toward a mixed planned and market economy. However, the economy fell into crisis in the early 1980s, the result of an overreliance on oil revenues, foreign aid, and labour remittances. In the mid-1980s a comprehensive program was introduced to liberalize the economy, which helped restore Tunisia’s international credit standing, stabilize public finances, reduce budget deficits and inflation, improve trade balances, and increase foreign and domestic investments. Public-sector reforms, deregulation, and privatization have also been implemented. The program has not been without its social costs, however, as unemployment and poverty levels rose. Nonetheless, the country’s per capita gross national product has continued to grow steadily." (Clarke, 2015)
References
"Encyclopedia of the Nations." Tunisia Agriculture, Information about Agriculture in Tunisia. Encyclopedia of the Nations, 26 Apr. 2012. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
"Export Impact For Good." Country Profile Tunisia. International Trade Center, 1 Jan. 2006. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
"Tunisia | History - Geography." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Apr. 2015. Web. 22 Apr. 2015.
"Export Impact For Good." Country Profile Tunisia. International Trade Center, 1 Jan. 2006. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
"Tunisia | History - Geography." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Apr. 2015. Web. 22 Apr. 2015.