|RNature and climate:|N In the north the mountainchain Tellatlas abruptly sloping towards the coastal plains by the Mediterranean Sea.
Closely south of Tellatlas are the Atlas Mountains forming the Dorsale-plateau. Their highest peak in Tunisia, Jebel Chanbi, reaches 1544 m.a.s.l. This plateau is the source of many rivers that are used for irrigation of vast areas.
South of the Dorsale-plateau are vast plains with some salt steppes and saltlakes.
In the most southern parts are sand and rock deserts.
Mediterranean climate along the coasts with warm dry summers and mild rainy winters. Percipitation about 800 mm.
In the interior a dry and hot desert climate with a percipitation of less than 100 mm.
Average temperature in january 11°C throughout the country and 28°C in July.
|RPeople:|N 98% Arabs, 1% Europeans and 1% Jews. Very fast increase of population, more than 2,5% every year. More than 50% of the population is below 20 years.
|REconomy:|N Agriculture dominates occupation and gives work to 32% of the labour force.
Most important crops are cereals, olives, wine grapes, citrus fruits and vegetables. Much of this is exported and accounts for 18% of the export revenues, but food production is not enough for domestic consumption.
Tunisia have vast deposits of oil and natural gas accounting for 40% of the export revenues. Oil is also the base for extensive chemical processing.
There are also vast deposits of phosphates, iron, lead, zinc and salt.
Industry has been strongly developed in the last decades. Agriculture is the base, but there is a considerable textile- and clothing manufacturing.
Tunisia have steelworks and a car assembly plant.
Many labourors have no work, but there is lack of skilled labourors.
Tourism is a very important source of income.
|RHistory:|N Phoenicians in the 11th century BC founded several trade stations in Tunisia of which Carthage was the most important. Carthage dominated all trade in the middle Mediterranean up to 146 BC when it was conquered and ruined by the Romans. Tunisia then belonged to the Roman empire until the 5th century AD when it was conquered by Vandals.
533 recaptured by the Byzantine Empire and at the end of the 7th century by the Moors who brought Islam and made Tunisia the most important centre of Islam in northern Africa.
From 1574 a Turkish province, but when Turkey in the 19th century mouldered, Tunisia became an independent country in 1871 and a French protectorate in 1881.
In the Turkish era pirating was the most important industry and when pirating was stopped in 1818 Tunisia became economically dependent of France and Italy.
A national movement was founded early in the 20th century and received popular support after World War II when France tried to reestablish a colonial government.
Tunisia received internal self-rule in 1954 and became an independent country in 1956, at first a monarchy, it became a republic in 1957.
The close relations with France at times have been strained. As in 1963 when many French resident had to leave Tunisia and France had to leave their naval base at Bizerte. And in 1964 when Tunisia nationalized most of the enterprises owned by foreigners.
In 1980 neighbouring Libya conquered the town of Gafsa in southern Tunisia, but it was soon recaptured.
The 1980:s have been marked by political instability, mainly because of high unemployment.
