Country Info

Tunisia

Geography and People

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General

Short Name: Tunisia

Official Name: Tunisian Republic

Local Short Form: Tunis

Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya

Area: 163,610 sq km

Capital: Tunis

Independence: 20 March 1956 (from France)

National Holiday: Independence Day, 20 March (1956)

Constitution: 1 June 1959; amended 12 July 1988

Population: 9,974,722 (July 2004 est.)

Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal

Ethnicity: Arab 98 per cent, European 1 per cent, Jewish and other 1 per cent

Languages: Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce)

Religions: Muslim 98 per cent, Christian 1 per cent, Jewish and other 1 per cent

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Geography

Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya

Geographic Co-ordinates: 34 00 N, 9 00 E

Area: total: 163,610 sq km; land: 155,360 sq km; water: 155,360 sq km

Area - comparative: slightly larger than Georgia

Land Boundaries: total: 1,424 km; border countries: Algeria 965km, Libya 459km

Coastline: 1,148km

Maritime Claims: territorial sea 12nm, contiguous zone 24nm

Climate: temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south

Terrain: mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara

Elevation Extremes: lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17m; highest point: Jebel ech Chambi 1,544m

Natural Resources: petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt

Geography – note: strategic location in central Mediterranean; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration

Political System

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Political System

Tunisia is a constitutional republic dominated by President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali and his Constitutional Democratic Rally (CDR) party since 1987. Power is concentrated in the presidency.

President

The president must be Muslim and be at least a third-generation Tunisian national. The president is elected by universal, free and direct ballot for five-year terms and can run for re-election for an unlimited number of terms. The dominance of politics and state institutions by the RCD makes it virtually impossible for an unsanctioned candidate to make a credible challenge. The president's powers include being Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, maintaining all aspects of foreign policy, determining when the nation is threatened enough to impel the taking of emergency measures, bringing forth referendums, naming the prime minister, presiding over the Council of Ministers, dismissing the government and vetoing legislation. The president has immunity for all acts committed in office.

President: Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali (since 7 November 1987)

Legislative

The Chamber of Deputies represents the unicameral legislative branch. The 189 seats are determined by popular vote, with about 20 per cent being reserved for opposition parties. Terms last for five years. The body can present bills, but those brought forth by the president receive precedence. Laws are passed by an absolute majority. Authorization can also be given to the president to enact decree laws. The chamber also votes on the budget. A 2002 constitutional amendment called for the creation of a second house, but action has yet to be taken.

Executive

The prime minister is chosen by the president and helps him direct and co-ordinate the work of government. He consults with the President before emergency measures are taken in a time of national peril. Regulatory powers over law can be delegated by the president to the prime minister, who signs all decrees of regulatory nature. He can also substitute for the president when he is presiding over the Council of Ministers or other councils. He also presents the motion of censure when the government resigns.

Prime Minister: Mohamed Ghannouchi (since 17 November 1999)

The Economic and Social Council consults on economic and social matters.

Judiciary

Independent magistrates are appointed by the president based on recommendation of the Superior Magistrate Council. The council ensures the proper nomination, advancement, transfer, and discipline of magistrates. The High Court considers cases of high treason committed by government officials with the exception of the president.