世界各国

Tunisia

Introduction to Tunisia

Following independence from France in 1956, 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 recent years, Tunisia has taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to defuse rising pressure for a more open political society.

Government

Capital:

Tunis 

Independence:

20 March 1956 (from France) 

National holiday:

Independence Day, 20 March (1956) 

Economy

Economy overview:

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, averaging 5% for the latter half of the last decade, slowed to a 15-year low of 1.9% in 2002 because of agricultural drought, slow investment, and lackluster tourism. Better rains in 2003, however, pushed GDP growth up to an estimated 6 percent, and tourism also recovered after the end of combat operations in Iraq. GDP growth remained at 6% in 2004. Tunisia has agreed to gradually remove barriers to trade with the European Union over the next decade. Broader privatization, further liberalization of the investment code to increase foreign investment, improvements in government efficiency, and reduction of the trade deficit are among the challenges for the future. 

GDP:

purchasing power parity - $68.23 billion (2004 est.) 

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 13.9%
industry: 32.2%
services: 53.9% (2004 est.)

Agriculture products:

olives, olive oil, grain, dairy products, tomatoes, citrus fruit, beef, sugar beets, dates, almonds 

Industries:

petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages 

Transportation

Pipelines:

gas 3,059 km; oil 1,203 km; refined products 345 km (2003)

Ports and harbors:

Bizerte, Gabes, La Goulette, Sfax, Sousse, Tunis, Zarzis

Merchant marine:

total: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 124,733 GRT/122,664 DWT
registered in other countries: 2 (2003 est.)
by type: bulk 2, cargo 1, chemical tanker 4, liquefied gas 1, short-sea/passenger 3

Airports:

30 (2003 est.)