Axion 3D Atlas/ATLAS.iso/stats/237.txt

Text File | 1998-01-23 | 11KB | 316 lines

{bitmap= 26,50,"flags\Tunisia.bmp"}
{bigtext=150,120,"Tunisia"}



{1}Geography{4}
{4}To see a map of Tunisia, click {z,"4.634066,29.940060,15.200633,38.137618",here}{4}!

{2}Location:{4} Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya

{2}Area:{4}
{3}total area:{4} 163,610 sq km
{3}land area:{4} 155,360 sq km
{3}comparative area:{4} slightly larger than Georgia

{2}Land boundaries:{4}
{3}total:{4} 1,424 km
{3}border countries:{4} Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km

{2}Coastline:{4} 1,148 km

{2}Maritime claims:{4}
contiguous zone: 24 nm
{3}territorial sea:{4} 12 nm

{2}International disputes:{4} maritime boundary dispute with Libya; land boundary dispute with Algeria
settled in 1993; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental
shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration

{2}Climate:{4} temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south

{2}Terrain:{4} mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara
{3}lowest point:{4} Shatt al Gharsah -17 m
{3}highest point:{4} Jabal ash Shanabi 1,544 m

{2}Natural resources:{4} petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt

{2}Land use:{4}
{3}arable land:{4} 20%
{3}permanent crops:{4} 10%
{3}meadows and pastures:{4} 19%
{3}forest and woodland:{4} 4%
{3}other:{4} 47%

{2}Irrigated land:{4} 2,750 sq km (1989)

{2}Environment:{4}
{3}current issues:{4} toxic and hazardous waste disposal is ineffective and presents human health
risks; water pollution from raw sewage; limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation;
overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification

{2}natural hazards:{4} NA

{2}international agreements:{4} party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Hazardous Wastes, Marine
Life Conservation

{2}Geographic note:{4} strategic location in central Mediterranean


{1}People{4}

{2}Population:{4} 9,019,687 (July 1996 est.)

{2}Age structure:{4}
{3}0-14 years:{4} 34% (male 1,583,636; female 1,489,784)
{3}15-64 years:{4} 61% (male 2,738,013; female 2,719,998)
{3}65 years and over:{4} 5% (male 254,403; female 233,853) (July 1996 est.)

{2}Population growth rate:{4} 1.81% (1996 est.)

{2}Birth rate:{4} 24.03 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Death rate:{4} 5.18 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Net migration rate:{4} -0.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Sex ratio:{4}
{3}at birth:{4} 1.08 male(s)/female
{3}under 15 years:{4} 1.06 male(s)/female
{3}15-64 years:{4} 1.01 male(s)/female
{3}65 years and over:{4} 1.09 male(s)/female
{3}all ages:{4} 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

{2}Infant mortality rate:{4} 35.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

{2}Life expectancy at birth:{4}
{3}total population:{4} 72.6 years
{3}male:{4} 71.27 years
{3}female:{4} 74.03 years (1996 est.)

{2}Total fertility rate:{4} 2.92 children born/woman (1996 est.)

{2}Nationality:{4}
{3}noun:{4} Tunisian(s)
{3}adjective:{4} Tunisian

{2}Ethnic divisions:{4} Arab-Berber 98%, European 1%, Jewish less than 1%

{2}Religions:{4} Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish 1%

{2}Languages:{4} Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce)

{2}Literacy:{4} age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
{3}total population:{4} 66.7%
{3}male:{4} 78.6%
{3}female:{4} 54.6%


{1}Government{4}

{2}Name of country:{4}
{3}conventional long form:{4} Republic of Tunisia
{3}conventional short form:{4} Tunisia
{3}local long form:{4} Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah
{3}local short form:{4} Tunis

{2}Type of government:{4} republic

{2}Capital:{4} Tunis

{2}Administrative divisions:{4} 23 governorates; Beja, Ben Arous, Bizerte, Gabes, Gafsa, Jendouba,
Kairouan, Kasserine, Kebili, L'Ariana, Le Kef, Mahdia, Medenine, Monastir, Nabeul, Sfax, Sidi Bou
Zid, Siliana, Sousse, Tataouine, Tozeur, Tunis, Zaghouan

{2}Independence:{4} 20 March 1956 (from France)

{2}National holiday:{4} National Day, 20 March (1956)

{2}Constitution:{4} 1 June 1959; amended 12 July 1988

{2}Legal system:{4} based on French civil law system and Islamic law; some judicial review of
legislative acts in the Supreme Court in joint session

{2}Suffrage:{4} 20 years of age; universal

{2}Executive branch:{4}
{3}chief of state:{4} President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI (since 7 November 1987) was reelected for a
five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 20 March 1994 (next to be held NA 1999);
results - President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI was reelected without opposition
{3}head of government:{4} Prime Minister Hamed KAROUI (since 26 September 1989) was appointed
by the president
{3}cabinet:{4} Council of Ministers was appointed by the president

{2}Legislative branch:{4} unicameral
Chamber of Deputies (Majlis al-Nuwaab): elections last held 20 March 1994 (next to be held NA
1999); results - RCD 97.7%, MDS 1.0%, others 1.3%; seats - (163 total) RCD 144, MDS 10,
others 9; note - the government changed the electoral code to guarantee that the opposition won
seats

{2}Judicial branch:{4} Court of Cassation (Cour de Cassation)

{2}Political parties and leaders:{4} Constitutional Democratic Rally Party (RCD), President BEN ALI
(official ruling party); Movement of Democratic Socialists (MDS), Mohammed MOUAADA; five
other political parties are legal, including the Communist Party

{2}Other political or pressure groups:{4} the Islamic fundamentalist party, An Nahda (Rebirth), is
outlawed

{2}International organization participation:{4} ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, BSEC
(observer), CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU,
OIC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNAMIR, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR,
UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

{2}Diplomatic representation in US:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Mohamed Azzouz ENNAIFER
{3}chancery:{4} 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
{3}telephone:{4} [1] [phone]

{2}US diplomatic representation:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Mary Ann CASEY
{3}embassy:{4} 144 Avenue de la Liberte, 1002 Tunis-Belvedere
{3}mailing address:{4} use embassy street address
{3}telephone:{4} [216] (1) 782-566
{3}FAX:{4} [216] (1) 789-719

{2}Flag:{4} red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed
star; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam


{1}Economy{4}

{2}Economic overview:{4} Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural, mining, energy,
tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Detailed governmental control of economic affairs has
gradually lessened over the past decade, including increasing privatization of trade and
commerce, simplification of the tax structure, and a cautious approach to debt. Real growth has
averaged 4.2% in 1991-95, and inflation has been moderate. Growth in tourism and IMF support
have been key elements in this solid record. Drought, especially in the south, held back GDP
growth in 1995. Further privatization and further improvements in government administrative
efficiency are among the challenges for the future.

{2}GDP:{4} purchasing power parity - $37.1 billion (1994 est.)

{2}GDP real growth rate:{4} 4.4% (1994 est.)

{2}GDP per capita:{4} $4,250 (1994 est.)

{2}GDP composition by sector:{4}
{3}agriculture:{4} 15%
{3}industry:{4} 30%
{3}services:{4} 55% (1995 est.)

{2}Inflation rate (consumer prices):{4} 5.5% (1995 est.)

{2}Labor force:{4} 2.917 million (1993 est.)
{3}by occupation:{4} services 55%, industry 23%, agriculture 22% (1995 est.)
{3}note:{4} shortage of skilled labor

{2}Unemployment rate:{4} 16.2% (1993 est.)

{2}Budget:{4}
{3}revenues:{4} $4.3 billion
{3}expenditures:{4} $5.5 billion, including capital expenditures to $NA (1993 est.)

{2}Industries:{4} petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear,
food, beverages

{2}Industrial production growth rate:{4} 5% (1989)

{2}Electricity:{4}
{3}capacity:{4} 1,410,000 kW
{3}production:{4} 5.4 billion kWh
{3}consumption per capita:{4} 595 kWh (1993)

{2}Agriculture:{4} olives, dates, oranges, almonds, grain, sugar beets, grapes; poultry, beef, dairy
products

{2}Exports:{4} $4.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
{3}commodities:{4} hydrocarbons, agricultural products, phosphates and chemicals
{3}partners:{4} EU countries 75%, Middle East 10%, Algeria 2%, India 2%, US 1%

{2}Imports:{4} $6.6 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
{3}commodities:{4} industrial goods and equipment 57%, hydrocarbons 13%, food 12%, consumer
goods
{3}partners:{4} EU countries 70%, US 5%, Middle East 2%, Japan 2%, Switzerland 1%, Algeria 1%

{2}External debt:{4} $7.7 billion (1993 est.)

{2}Economic aid:{4}
{3}recipient:{4} ODA, $221 million (1993)

{2}Currency:{4} 1 Tunisian dinar (TD) = 1,000 millimes

{2}Exchange rates:{4} Tunisian dinars (TD) per US$1 - 0.9635 (January 1996), 0.9458 (1995), 1.0116
(1994), 1.0037 (1993), 0.8844 (1992), 0.9246 (1991)

{2}Fiscal year:{4} calendar year


{1}Transportation{4}

{2}Railways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 2,260 km
standard gauge: 492 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 1,758 km 1.000-m gauge
dual gauge: 10 km 1.000-m and 1.435-m gauges (1993 est.)

{2}Highways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 29,183 km
{3}paved:{4} 17,510 km (including 52 km of expressways)
{3}unpaved:{4} 11,673 km (1989 est.)

{2}Pipelines:{4} crude oil 797 km; petroleum products 86 km; natural gas 742 km

{2}Ports:{4} Bizerte, Gabes, La Goulette, Sfax, Sousse, Tunis, Zarzis

{2}Merchant marine:{4}
{3}total:{4} 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 125,840 GRT/164,277 DWT
{3}ships by type:{4} bulk 6, cargo 4, chemical tanker 3, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3, short-sea
passenger 1 (1995 est.)

{2}Airports:{4}
{3}total:{4} 29
{3}with paved runways over 3,047 m:{4} 3
{3}with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m:{4} 6
{3}with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 3
{3}with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 3
{3}with paved runways under 914 m:{4} 6
{3}with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 2
{3}with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 6 (1995 est.)


{1}Communications{4}

{2}Telephones:{4} 233,000 (1987 est.)

{2}Telephone system:{4} the system is above the African average; key centers are Sfax, Sousse,
Bizerte, and Tunis
{3}domestic:{4} trunk facilities consist of open-wire lines, coaxial cable, and microwave radio relay
{3}international:{4} 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1
Arabsat with back-up control station; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria and
Libya; participant in Medarabtel

{2}Radio broadcast stations:{4} AM 7, FM 8, shortwave 0

{2}Radios:{4} 1,693,527 (1991 est.)

{2}Television broadcast stations:{4} 19

{2}Televisions:{4} 670,000 (1992 est.)


{1}Defense{4}

{2}Branches:{4} Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary forces, National Guard

{2}Manpower availability:{4}
{3}males age 15-49:{4} 2,354,513
{3}males fit for military service:{4} 1,349,728
males reach military age (20) annually: 91,866 (1996 est.)

{2}Defense expenditures:{4} exchange rate conversion - $535 million, 2.8% of GDP (1995)