Tunisia 30188 226011336 2008-07-16T12:54:01Z Sardanaphalus 427947 updating link using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]] {{Infobox Country |native_name = {{rtl-lang|ar|الجمهورية التونسية}} <br/>{{lang|ar-Latn|''Al-Jumhūriyyah at-Tūnisiyyah''}} |conventional_long_name = Tunisian Republic |common_name = Tunisia |image_flag = Flag of Tunisia.svg |image_coat =Coat of arms of Tunisia.svg |symbol_type = Coat of Arms |image_map = LocationTunisia.svg |national_motto = حرية، نظام، عدالة (Hurriya, Nidham, 'Adala)<br>"Liberty, Order, Justice" |national_anthem = ''{{lang|ar-Latn|[[Himat Al Hima]]}}'' |official_languages = [[Arabic language|Arabic]] |demonym = Tunisian |capital = [[Tunis]] |latd=36 |latm=50 |latNS=N |longd=10 |longm=9 |longEW=E |largest_city = capital |government_type = Republic |leader_title1 = [[President of Tunisia|President]] |leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Tunisia|Prime Minister]] |leader_name1 = [[Zine El Abidine Ben Ali]] |leader_name2 = [[Mohamed Ghannouchi]] |area_rank = 92nd |area_magnitude = 1 E11 |area_km2 = 163610 |area_sq_mi = 63170 |percent_water = 5.0 |population_estimate = 10,102,000 |population_estimate_rank = 78th |population_estimate_year = July 2005 |population_census = 8,785,711 |population_census_year = 1994 |population_density_km2 = 62 <!--pop est 2006 / land area =65.49--> |population_density_sq_mi = 161 |population_density_rank = 133rd (2005) |GDP_PPP = $ 97.74 billion |GDP_PPP_rank = 60th |GDP_PPP_year = 2007 |GDP_PPP_per_capita = $9,630 |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 73rd |sovereignty_type = [[Independence]] |established_event1 = from [[France]] |established_date1 = [[March 20]] [[1956]] |HDI = {{increase}} 0.766 |HDI_rank = 91st |HDI_year = 2007 |HDI_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font> |Gini = 39.8 |Gini_year = 2000 |Gini_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font> |currency = [[Tunisian dinar]] |currency_code = TND |country_code = +216 |time_zone = [[Central European Time|CET]] |utc_offset = +1 |time_zone_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]] |utc_offset_DST = +2 |cctld = [[.tn]] |calling_code = 216 |footnotes = }} '''Tunisia''' ({{lang-ar|تونس}} Tūnis, [[Berber languages|Amazigh]]: '''Tuns'''), officially the '''Tunisian Republic''' ({{rtl-lang|ar|الجمهورية التونسية}}), is a country situated on the [[Mediterranean]] coast of [[North Africa]]. It is bordered by [[Algeria]] to the west and [[Libya]] to the southeast. It is the northernmost African country and the smallest of the nations situated along the [[Atlas mountains|Atlas mountain]] range. Around forty percent of the country is composed of the [[Sahara desert]], with much of the remainder consisting of particularly fertile soil, and a 1300 km coastline. Both played a prominent role in ancient times, first with the famous [[Phoenicia]]n city of [[Carthage]], and later, as the [[Africa Province, Roman Empire|Africa Province]], which became known as the bread basket of the [[Roman Empire]]. ==History== {{main|History of Tunisia}} At the beginning of history, Tunisia was inhabited by [[Berber people|Berber]] tribes. Its coast was settled by [[Phoenicia]]ns starting as early as the 10th century BC. The city of [[Carthage]] was founded in the 9th century B.C. by settlers from [[Tyre (Lebanon)|Tyre]], now in modern day [[Lebanon]]. Legend says that [[Elissa(Queen of Carthage)|Queen Elissa]] founded the city in 814 B.C., as retold in by the Greek writer Timaeus of Tauromenium. The settlers of Carthage brought their culture and religion from the Phoenicians and other [[Canaan]]ites. After a series of wars with Greek city-states of Sicily in the 5th century BC, Carthage rose to power and eventually became the dominant civilization in the Western [[Mediterranean]]. The people of Carthage worshipped a pantheon of Middle Eastern gods including [[Baal]] and [[Tanit]]. Tanit's symbol, a simple female figure with extended arms and long dress, is a popular icon found in ancient sites. The founders of Carthage also established a [[Tophet]] which was altered in Roman times. Though the Romans referred to the new empire growing in the city of Carthage as [[Punic]] or [[Phoenician]], the empire built around Carthage was an independent political entity from the other Phoenician settlements in the Western Mediterranean. [[Image:Tunis Zitouna-Moschee Minarett.JPG|thumb|300px|left|Tunis Zitouna Great Mosque]] A Carthaginian invasion of Italy led by [[Hannibal]] during the [[Second Punic War]], one of a series of wars with Rome, nearly crippled the rise of the [[Roman Empire]]. Carthage was eventually conquered by Rome in the 2nd century BC, a turning point which led to ancient Mediterranean civilization having been influenced mainly by European instead of African cultures. After the Roman conquest, the region became one of the granaries of Rome and was fully Latinized and Christianized. It was conquered by the [[Vandals]] in the 5th century AD and reconquered by the commander [[Belisarius]] in the 6th century during the rule of [[Byzantines|Byzantine]] emperor [[Justinian]]. In the 7th century the region was conquered by [[Arab]] [[Islam|Muslims]], who founded the city of [[Kairouan]]. Successive Muslim dynasties ruled, interrupted by Berber rebellions. The reigns of the [[Aghlabids]] (9th century) and of the [[Zirids]] (from 972), Berber followers of the [[Fatimids]], were especially prosperous. When the Zirids angered the Fatimids in [[Cairo]] (1050), the latter sent in the [[Banu Hilal]] tribe to ravage Tunisia. The coasts were held briefly by the [[Normans]] of [[Sicily]] in the 12th century and the following Arab reconquest made the last Christians in Tunisia disappear. In 1159, Tunisia was conquered by the [[Almohad]] caliphs. They were succeeded by the Berber [[Hafsids]] (c.1230{{ndash}} 1574), under whom Tunisia prospered. In the late 16th century the coast became a [[pirate]] stronghold (see: [[Barbary States]]). In the last years of the Hafsids, [[Spain]] seized many of the coastal cities, but these were recovered by the [[Ottoman Empire]]. Under its [[Turkish People|Turkish]] governors, the [[Beys]], Tunisia attained virtual independence. The Hussein dynasty of Beys, established in 1705, lasted until 1957. ===French imperialism=== [[Image:Tunis church.jpg|thumb|left|[[Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul]], Tunis]] In the mid-1800s, Tunisia's government under the rule of the Bey severely compromised its legitimacy by making several controversial financial decisions that led to its downfall. [[France]] began plans to take control of Tunisia when the Bey first borrowed large sums of money in an attempt to [[Westernize]]. This failing state facilitated the Algerian raids that occurred thereafter. The weakened Bey was powerless against these raids and unable to resist European colonization. In 1878, a secret deal was made between the [[United Kingdom]] and France that decided the fate of the North [[Africa]]n country. Provided that the French accepted British control of [[Cyprus]], recently given to the United Kingdom, the British would in turn accept French control of Tunisia. This satisfied the French and led to their assumption of control in 1880, anticipating the Italians. Tunisia was formally made a French [[protectorate]] on [[May 12]], [[1881]]. ===World War II=== {{main|Tunisia Campaign}} In 1942{{ndash}} 1943 Tunisia was the scene of the first major operations by the [[Allies of World War II|Allied Forces]] (the British Commonwealth and the United States) against the Axis Powers (Italy and Germany) during [[World War II]]. The main body of the British army, advancing from their victory in Battle of [[el-Alamein]] under the command of British [[Bernard Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein|Field Marshal Montgomery]], pushed into Tunisia from the south. The US and other allies, following their invasions of Algeria and Morocco in [[Operation Torch]], invaded from the west. General [[Erwin Rommel|Rommel]], commander of the [[Axis Powers|Axis]] forces in North Africa, had hoped to inflict a similar defeat on the allies in Tunisia as German forces did in the [[Battle of France]] in 1940. Before the battle for Tunisia, the inexperienced allied forces had generally been unable to withstand German [[blitzkrieg]]s and properly coordinate their operations. As such the battle for Tunisia was a major test for the allies. They figured out that in order to defeat Axis forces they would have to coordinate their actions and quickly recover from the inevitable setbacks the experienced German-Italian forces would inflict. On February 19, 1943, General Rommel launched an attack on the American forces in the [[Kasserine Pass]] region of Western Tunisia, hoping to inflict the kind of demoralizing and alliance-shattering defeat the Germans had dealt to Poland and France. The initial results were a disaster for the United States; the area around the Kasserine Pass is the site of many US [[war grave]]s from that time. However, the American forces were ultimately able to reverse their retreat. Having learned a critical lesson in [[tank warfare]], the Allies broke through the Mareth line on March 20, 1943. The allies subsequently linked up on April 8 and on May 2, 1943 the German-Italian Army in Tunisia surrendered. Thus, the United States, United Kingdom, Free French, and Polish (as well as other forces) were able to win a major battle as an allied army. The battle, though often overshadowed by [[Battle of Stalingrad|Stalingrad]], represented a major allied victory of World War II largely because it forged the Alliance which would one day liberate Western Europe. ===Independence=== Before Western colonialism, Tunisia was ruled by a line of (Turkish colonial) Beys until 1881. Up until this point the Beys of Tunisia borrowed money from Europe to finance modernization within Tunisia. When the local population resented tax rises to fund the repayment the country found itself bankrupt. It is at this point that France, Britain and Italy placed the finances of Tunisia in administration via an international agreement. [[Image:HabibBourguiba.jpg|thumb|Habib Bourguiba]] Initially, Italy was the country that demonstrated the most desire to have Tunisia as a colony having investment, [[Tunisian Italians|citizens]] and geographic proximity as motivation. However this was rebuffed when Britain and France co-operated to prevent this during the years 1871{{ndash}} 1878 ending in Britain supporting French influence in Tunisia in exchange for dominion over Cyprus. France still had the issue of Italian influence and thus decided to find an excuse for a pre-emptive strike. Using the pretext of a Tunisian incursion into Algeria, France marched an army of about 36,000 personnel which quickly advanced to Tunis and forced the Bey to make terms in the form of the 1881 [[Treaty of Bardo]] (Al Qasr as Sa'id), which gave France control of Tunisian governance and making it a de-facto French protectorate. Tunisia enjoyed certain benefits from French rule; however, the desire for self-governance remained and in 1910 Ali Bach Hamba and Bechir Sfar created the group of young Tunisians which led to the 1920 group called the “Destour” (constitution) party. Keeping the new movement under control led the French to use a combination of carrot-and-stick tactics that worked well but did not halt the momentum for independence. In 1934, a younger, more fervent element of the Destour party called the Neo-Destour emerged, with [[Habib Bourguiba]], Dr [[Mahmoud Materi]], [[Tahar Sfar]] and [[Bahri Guiga]] as their leaders. This new party was immediately declared illegal by the French administration, but received strong support from the fascist organizations of the [[Tunisian Italians]].<ref>Moustapha Kraiem. ''Le fascisme et les italiens de Tunisie, 1918-1939". Cahiers du CERES. Tunis, 1969. pag 96</ref> Habib Bourguiba spent a great deal of time in French prisons. However, this did little to stem his influence or halt the momentum for change. The Second World War played into Bourguiba’s hands as he was moved from Vichy French prisons to Rome, and then to Tunisia as the Axis powers courted his influence in Tunisia. Bourguiba never endorsed these requests. He did manage relocation to Tunisia and two months after this, the Allies claimed Tunisia. In the following ten years, the struggle for independence continued and gained momentum. Bourguiba was again incarcerated from 1952{{ndash}} 1954, which in turn caused an outbreak of guerrilla attacks by supporters. In 1954, things changed abruptly when [[Pierre Mendes-France]] became the leader of the French government and pursued a policy of pulling out from burdensome French colonies, with Tunisia in this category. This resulted in the April 1955 agreement which handed internal autonomy to Tunisian hands while international relations were managed by France, a similar situation to the Turkish Bey method of governance in pre-1881. The Neo-Destour were now in control, but Bourguiba refused to take the helm until the French relinquished all control over Tunisia. He did not have to wait long, as the terrible [[Algerian War|Algerian War of Independence]] changed the French desire for colonialism, leading to the abolition of the Treaty of Bardo and Tunisia gaining full independence in March 20, 1956. Bourguiba became Prime Minister and, after 1957, the first president of the Republic of Tunisia as the constitutional role of the Bey was abolished. ==Present-day politics== <!--Please add new information into relevant articles of the series--> {{main|Politics of Tunisia}} Tunisia is a [[republic]] with a strong [[presidential system]] dominated by a single political party. President [[Zine El Abidine Ben Ali]] has been in office since 1987, the year he deposed [[Habib Bourguiba]] in a bloodless coup. The constitution has been changed twice to allow Ben Ali to remain in power: initially from two to three terms, then from three to five. The ruling party, the [[Democratic Constitutional Rally]] (RCD), was the sole legal party for 25 years, known previously as the Socialist Destourian Party (PSD). The RCD still dominates political life. Facing little opposition, the President is elected to 5-year terms. He appoints a Prime Minister and cabinet, who play a strong role in the execution of policy. Regional governors and local administrators also are appointed by the central government. Largely consultative mayors and municipal councils are elected. There is a [[unicameral]] legislative body, the Chamber of Deputies, which has 182 seats, 20% of which are reserved for the opposition parties. It plays a growing role as an arena for debate on national policy but never originates legislation. The Chamber virtually always passes bills presented by the executive with only one minor change. The judiciary is nominally independent but responds to executive direction, especially in political cases. The military is professional and does not play a role in politics. Tunisia is noteworthy for its lack of public political discourse. Tunisia's precise political situation is hard to determine due to a strong level of silence and lack of transparency maintained by the government. There is compelling evidence that dissidents are routinely arrested, for crimes as minor as viewing banned web sites. There are currently six legal opposition parties all with their own newspapers. However, the Committee to Protect Journalists, in its 2005 country report on Tunisia, details a persistent record of harassment, persecution, imprisonment, and physical harm perpetrated on journalists critical of the government. Even Western journalists, when writing on Tunisian soil, are not spared this fate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cpj.org/attacks05/mideast05/tunisia_05.html|title=Committee to Protect Journalists 2005 Report on Tunisia|date=2005|publisher=CPJ|accessdate=2006-11-30}}</ref> Despite official proclamations, the Tunisian government imposes significant restrictions on freedom of speech and human rights. As such Tunisians are noticeably insecure when discussing political matters. The internet, however, is the most immediately apparent sign of the pervasiveness of state control. In fact the growth of the internet has been a major issue for Tunisia. As tourism (mainly from Europe) has expanded in Tunisia, so has the number of [[Internet Cafe]]s. Tunisian internet access is invariably censored. This censorship is targeted at material deemed pornographic as well as press or [[chat room]] commentary that is critical of the government. For example, the website of the Al Arabiya [[satellite tv|satellite]] channel is officially censored and thereby inaccessible from any computer in Tunisia. Tunisia is also one of three Muslim countries ([[Azerbaijan]] and [[Turkey]] are the others), that prohibits the [[hijab]] in government buildings. By government edict, women that insist on wearing the hijab must quit their job. Dissenters are forced to sign a document admitting to having committed a crime punishable by law and, in cases of recidivism, are jailed. Women who insist on keeping their veils despite all threats become the subject of negative propaganda disseminated by the Tunisian authorities on all state and private media.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} Underground opposition from Islamic Fundamentalists has an obvious but shadowy existence in Tunisia.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} Under former president Bourguiba, Islamic Fundamentalists were allowed to serve as a counterweight to more left-leaning movements.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, however, has followed an aggressive policy regarding the Fundamentalists, though the extent of government success is difficult to judge in a nation where so much is secret.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} While Tunisia has a repressive political system,{{Fact|date=August 2007}} standards of living are among the best in the developing world.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} This can be evidenced by two compelling economic observations: the level to which Tunisia has become self-sufficient in material goods, and the extent of real estate development in the cities and major towns of the country. Put simply, the mid-level retail outlet will typically offer goods more than 90% of which are home produced. As to the rise of the building and construction industry, a fleeting visit to any of Tunisia's smaller towns (let alone the cities) will confirm that development is rampant: many projects, especially hotels, are newly opened, and many more stand as skeleton buildings, ready to be developed as soon as demand - and capital funds - are available to bring them to completion. Tunisia remains an autocratic regime, but one where starvation, homelessness, and disease, problems seen in much of Africa and Asia, are rare.{{Fact|date=January 2007}} {{seealso|Foreign relations of Tunisia}} The following is an excerpt from the [[The World Factbook]] about Tunisia; <blockquote>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.</blockquote> ==Governorates== [[Image:Tunisia governorates cropped.png|thumb|right|200px|Governorates of Tunisia]] {{main|Governorates of Tunisia|Delegations of Tunisia}} Tunisia is subdivided into 24 [[governorate]]s, they are: <table><td><ol> <li> [[Ariana Governorate|Ariana]] <li> [[Béja Governorate|Béja]] <li> [[Ben Arous Governorate|Ben Arous]] <li> [[Bizerte Governorate|Bizerte]] <li> [[Gabès Governorate|Gabès]] <li> [[Gafsa Governorate|Gafsa]] <li> [[Jendouba Governorate|Jendouba]] <li> [[Kairouan Governorate|Kairouan]] <li> [[Kasserine Governorate|Kasserine]] <li> [[Kebili Governorate|Kebili]] <li> [[Kef Governorate|Kef]] <li> [[Mahdia Governorate|Mahdia]] </ol></td><td><ol start=13> <li> [[Manouba Governorate|Manouba]] <li> [[Medenine Governorate|Medenine]] <li> [[Monastir Governorate|Monastir]] <li> [[Nabeul Governorate|Nabeul]] <li> [[Sfax Governorate|Sfax]] <li> [[Sidi Bou Zid Governorate|Sidi Bou Zid]] <li> [[Siliana Governorate|Siliana]] <li> [[Sousse Governorate|Sousse]] <li> [[Tataouine Governorate|Tataouine]] <li> [[Tozeur Governorate|Tozeur]] <li> [[Tunis Governorate|Tunis]] <li> [[Zaghouan Governorate|Zaghouan]] </ol></td></table> The governorates are divided into 262 "[[Delegations of Tunisia|delegations]]" or "[[district]]s" (''mutamadiyat''), and further subdivided into [[municipality|municipalities]] (''shaykhats'').<ref>[http://www.statoids.com/utn.html Tunisia Governorates<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ==Geography== [[Image:Tunisia Topography.png|left|200px|thumb|Topographic map of Tunisia.]] {{main|Geography of Tunisia}} Tunisia is a country situated on the [[Mediterranean]] coast of North Africa, midway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Nile Valley. It is bordered by [[Algeria]] in the west and [[Libya]] in the south-east. An abrupt southern turn of its shoreline gives Tunisia two faces on the Mediterranean. Despite its relatively small size, Tunisia has great geographical and climactic diversity. The Dorsal, an extension of the Atlas Mountains, traverses Tunisia in a northeasterly direction from the Algerian border in the west to the Cape Bon peninsula. North of the Dorsal is the Tell, a region characterized by low, rolling hills and plains, although in the northwestern corner of Tunisia, the land reaches elevations of 1,050 meters. The [[Sahel, Tunisia|Sahil]] is a plain along Tunisia's eastern Mediterranean coast famous for its olive monoculture. Inland from the Sahil, between the Dorsal and a range of hills south of Gafsa, are the [[Steppes]]. Much of the southern region is [[semi-arid]] and [[desert]]. {{seealso|List of cities in Tunisia}} == Economy == {{main|Economy of Tunisia}} Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural, mining, energy, tourism, petroleum, 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.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} Real growth averaged 5.0% in the 1990s, and inflation is slowing. Increased trade and tourism have been key elements in this steady economic growth.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} Tunisia's association agreement with the [[European Union]] (EU), the first such accord between the EU and a Mediterranean country, entered into force on March 1, 1998. Under the agreement Tunisia will gradually remove barriers to trade with the EU over the next decade. Broader privatization, further liberalization of the investment code to increase foreign investment, and improvements in government efficiency are among the challenges for the future of Tunisia. According to the British Philip's university atlas of 2000, Tunisia also possesses major [[phosphate]] reserves in the middle section of the country. Tunisia is ranked most competitive economy of Africa in the 2007 edition of the [[Global Competitiveness Report]] that is released by the [[World Economic Forum]]. It also ranks first in the [[Arab World]] and 29th globally. ==Demographics== {{main|Demographics of Tunisia}} [[Image:Tabouna (Piotr Kuczynski).jpg|thumb|Traditional Tunisian bread being made]] The majority (98%<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ts.html#People CIA]</ref>) of modern Tunisians are [[Arab]],<ref>[http://www.columbiagazetteer.org/public/Tunisia.html Columbia Gazetteer]</ref> and are speakers of [[Tunisian Arabic]]. However, there is also a small (1% at most<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ts.html#People CIA]</ref>) population of [[Berber people|Berber]]s located in the Jabal Dahar mountains in the South East and on the island of [[Jerba]]. The Berbers primarily speak [[Berber languages]], often called [[Shelha]]. The other long-established community in the country is [[Jew]]ish (today mainly in the capital [[Tunis]] and on Jerba), much reduced in number since independence from France. [http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0410/feature2/online_extra.html One study] indicates that the majority of the genetic material in Tunisia did not arrive with the Arabs (no more than 20% was found to come from the [[Middle East]], and most of this presumably was added by [[Phoenicians]]/[[Carthaginians]] or as even early as the [[neolithic]] several millennia B.C. rather than during the Arab conquest). Another study, which does not compare Tunisian genetics with those of the Middle East, states that what it calls the Arab subhaplotype Va was found at a relatively high frequency in Tunisia at 50.6%.[http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/summary_0199-6086182_ITM], but also states that this group in fact "probably correspond to a heterogeneous group representing various ethnicities", rather than just Arabs. [http://www.nature.com/ejhg/journal/v15/n5/abs/5201797a.html Yet another] finds that "the Tunisian genetic distances to European samples are smaller than those to North African groups" (these groups being from the Moroccan [[Atlas Mountains|Atlas]] and the [[Siwa]] oasis in Egypt). This suggests a fairly significant European input to Tunisian genetics. The first people known to history in what is now Tunisia were the [[Berber people|Berber]]s. Numerous civilizations and peoples have invaded, migrated to, and been assimilated into the population over the millennia, with varying influxes of population via conquest and settlement from [[Phoenicians]]/[[Carthaginians]], [[Roman Republic|Roman]]s, [[Vandal]]s, [[Arabs]], [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman Turks]], and [[French people|French]]. Additionally, after the [[Reconquista]] and expulsion of non-Christians and [[Morisco]]s from Spain, many [[Spain|Spanish]] [[Moors]] and [[Jew]]s also arrived at the end of the 15th century. [[Religion in Tunisia]] is dominated by Islam, to which nearly all Tunisians (98%) adhere.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ts.html#People |title=CIA &mdash; The World Factbook &mdash; Tunisia |accessdate=2007-01-13 |format= |work=}}</ref> In addition to the aforementioned Jewish population there is also a small indigenous [[Christian]] population. Small [[Nomadic people|nomadic]] indigenous minorities have been mostly assimilated into the larger population. ==Language== [[Image:Tunisian Arabic advert.JPG|thumb|right|225px|Advert primarily in Tunisian Arabic]] [[Modern Standard Arabic]] (MSA) is Tunisia's official language. However, as is the case in the rest of the [[Arab world]], a vernacular form of Arabic is used by the public. In Tunisia, the dialect is [[Tunisian Arabic]], which is closely related to the [[Maltese language]].<ref>Borg and Azzopardi-Alexander Maltese (1997:xiii) "The immediate source for the Arabic vernacular spoken in Malta was Muslim Sicily, but its ultimate origin appears to have been Tunisia. In fact, Maltese displays some areal traits typical of [[Maghrebi Arabic|Maghrebine Arabic]], although during the past eight hundred years of independent evolution it has drifted apart from Tunisian Arabic."</ref> There is also a small minority of speakers of [[Shelha]], a [[Berber language]].<ref>Gabsi, Zouhir (2003) 'An outline of the Shilha (Berber) vernacular of Douiret (Southern Tunisia)' [http://library.uws.edu.au/adt-NUWS/public/adt-NUWS20040707.092709/]</ref> [[French language|French]] also plays a major role in the country, despite having no official status. It is widely used in education (e.g. as the language of instruction in the sciences in secondary school), the press, and in business. Most educated Tunisians are able to speak it. Many Tunisians, particularly those residing in large urban areas, readily mix Tunisian Arabic with French. ==Education== Prior to 1958 education in Tunisia was only available to a privileged minority (14%). It is now given a high priority and accounts for 6% of [[Gross national product|GNP]]. A basic education for children between the ages of 6 and 16 has been compulsory since 1991. While children generally acquire [[Tunisian Arabic]] at home, when they enter school at age 6, they are taught to read and write in [[Standard Arabic]]. From the age of 8, they are taught French while English is introduced at the age of 10. {{main|List of universities in Tunisia}} Colleges and universities in Tunisia include: * Ecole Polytechnique de Tunisie * International University of Tunis * Université Libre de Tunis * University of Aviation and Technology, Tunisia ==Culture== {{main|Culture of Tunisia}} {{Expand-section|date=June 2008}} ==Miscellaneous topics== * [[Communications in Tunisia]] * [[Cuisine of Tunisia]] * [[History of the Jews in Tunisia]] * [[Tunisian Italians]] * [[Military of Tunisia]] * [[Transportation of Tunisia]] * [[Les Scouts Tunisiens]] * [[Gay rights in Tunisia]] * [[Islam in Tunisia]] * [[Music of Tunisia]] * [[Tunisian Arabic]] * [[List of schools in Tunisia]] In the movie [[Star Wars]] IV, the scenes on the planet [[Tatooine]] were filmed in Tunisia<ref>[http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Krayt_dragon#Behind_the_scenes Krayt dragon - Wookieepedia, the Star Wars Wiki<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. The skeleton of a [[krayt dragon]], in the background of one of the scenes, is still there. ==References== <!--See [[Wikipedia:Footnotes]] for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the <ref(erences/)> tags--> {{reflist}} ==External links== {{external links}} {{sisterlinks|Tunisia}} * {{wikitravel}} * {{fr icon}} [http://www.TounesForum.com/ TounesForum (Votre Guide de Sortie en Tunisie)] * {{fr icon}} [http://www.ministeres.tn/ Tunisia Government] official site * {{ar icon}} [http://www.chambre-dep.tn/ Tunisia Chamber of Deputies] official site * [http://www.north-africa.com/one.htm The North Africa Journal] business news * [http://www.tunisiaonline.com/news/ Tunisia Media Online] government-sourced * {{fr icon}} {{ar icon}} {{en icon}} [http://www.magharebia.com/ News and Views of the Maghreb] * [http://allafrica.com/tunisia/ AllAfrica.com &mdash; ''Tunisia''] news headline links * [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/country_profiles/791969.stm BBC News Country Profile &mdash; ''Tunisia''] * [http://www.britannica.com/nations/Tunisia Encyclopedia Britannica, ''Tunisia'' &mdash; Country Page] * [http://www.arab.net/tunisia/ ''Tunisia'' on arab.net] * [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ts.html CIA World Factbook &mdash; ''Tunisia''] * [http://dmoz.org/Regional/Africa/Tunisia/ Open Directory Project &mdash; ''Tunisia''] directory category * {{fr icon}} {{ar icon}} {{en icon}} [http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/info/ country info & who's who] * [http://www.tunisia.com Tunisia.com guide to Tunisia] * {{Sww}} * [http://www.tunisland.com Tunisland The Biggest Video Website For Everything Tunisian] * [http://www.tunisia360.com Everything about Tunisia] * [http://www.nawaat.org Nawaat] * [http://www.yezzi.org Tunisian online demonstration as protest against dictatorship] * [http://www.plpp.org For the liberation of Political Prisoners in Tunisia] * [http://www.tunisiaonline.com TunisiaOnline] * [http://en.jurispedia.org/index.php/Tunisia The tunisian law] from [[Jurispedia]] * [http://www.tunisiadaily.com Tunisia Daily] * {{fr icon}} [http://debono.club.fr/mariagestunisie/listing.html List of catholic marriages in Tunisia 1801{{ndash}} 1949] * {{fr icon}} [http://www.tunisia-today.com Tunisia Today] * [http://www.tunisiancommunity.org/content/blogsection/1/3/ Tunisian Community Center (the Organization of Tunisian-Americans)] {{Template group |title = Geographic locale |list = {{Countries and territories bordering the Mediterranean Sea}} {{Countries of Africa}} {{Countries and territories of the Middle East}} }} {{Template group |title = International membership |list = {{Member states of the Arab League}} {{Member states of the African Union}} {{OIC|state=collapsed}} {{La Francophonie}} {{Semitic-speaking}} }} [[Category:Tunisia| ]] [[Category:Arab League member states]] [[Category:Arabic-speaking countries]] [[Category:French-speaking countries]] [[Category:African Union member states]] [[Category:Star Wars filming locations]] {{Link FA|fr}} {{Link FA|hr}} [[af:Tunisië]] [[als:Tunesien]] [[am:ቱኒዚያ]] [[ang:Tunisia]] [[ar:تونس]] [[an:Tunizia]] [[arc:ܬܘܢܣܝܐ]] [[frp:Tunisie]] [[ast:Túnez]] [[bm:Tunizi]] [[bn:তিউনিসিয়া]] [[zh-min-nan:Tunisia]] [[be-x-old:Туніс]] [[bs:Republika Tunis]] [[br:Tunizia]] [[bg:Тунис]] [[ca:Tunísia]] [[cv:Тунис]] [[cs:Tunisko]] [[cy:Tunisia]] [[da:Tunesien]] [[de:Tunesien]] [[et:Tuneesia]] [[el:Τυνησία]] [[es:Túnez]] [[eo:Tunizio]] [[eu:Tunisia]] [[fa:تونس]] [[fr:Tunisie]] [[ga:An Túinéis]] [[gv:Yn Tooneesh]] [[gd:Tuinisia]] [[gl:Tunisia - تونس]] [[ko:튀니지]] [[haw:Tunisia]] [[hi:टुनिशिया]] [[hsb:Tuneziska]] [[hr:Tunis]] [[io:Tunizia]] [[ilo:Tunisia]] [[bpy:তিউনিসিয়া]] [[id:Tunisia]] [[ie:Tunisia]] [[os:Тунис]] [[is:Túnis]] [[it:Tunisia]] [[he:תוניסיה]] [[jv:Tunisia]] [[pam:Tunisia]] [[kn:ಟುನೀಶಿಯ]] [[ka:ტუნისი]] [[ks:टुनिशिया]] [[kk:Тунисия]] [[kw:Tunisi]] [[sw:Tunisia]] [[kg:Tunisia]] [[ht:Tinizi]] [[ku:Tûnis (dewlet)]] [[la:Tunesia]] [[lv:Tunisija]] [[lb:Tunesien]] [[lt:Tunisas]] [[lij:Tunixia]] [[ln:Tunisia]] [[hu:Tunézia]] [[mk:Тунис]] [[ml:ടുണീഷ്യ]] [[mr:ट्युनिसिया]] [[ms:Tunisia]] [[nah:Tunez]] [[nl:Tunesië]] [[ja:チュニジア]] [[no:Tunisia]] [[nn:Tunisia]] [[nov:Tunisia]] [[oc:Tunisia]] [[uz:Tunisiya]] [[pms:Tunisìa]] [[nds:Tunesien]] [[pl:Tunezja]] [[pt:Tunísia]] [[crh:Tunis]] [[ro:Tunisia]] [[rm:Tunesia]] [[qu:Tunisya]] [[ru:Тунис]] [[se:Tunisia]] [[sa:टुनिशिया]] [[sc:Tunisia]] [[sq:Tunizia]] [[scn:Tunisìa]] [[simple:Tunisia]] [[sk:Tunisko]] [[sl:Tunizija]] [[sr:Тунис]] [[sh:Tunis]] [[fi:Tunisia]] [[szl:Tůnezyjo]] [[sv:Tunisien]] [[tl:Tunisia]] [[ta:துனீசியா]] [[kab:Tunes]] [[th:ประเทศตูนิเซีย]] [[vi:Tunisia]] [[tr:Tunus]] [[uk:Туніс]] [[ur:تیونس]] [[vec:Tunixia]] [[vo:Tunisän]] [[wa:Tunizeye]] [[wo:Tiniisi]] [[yo:Tunisia]] [[diq:Tunıs]] [[zh:突尼西亞]]