| Tunisia, a country located in North Africa is | | | | estate development has taken place considerably |
| bordered by Algeria to the west and Libya to the | | | | in cities and major towns. Poverty has been |
| southeast. Sahara desert occupies forty percent | | | | reduced significantly due to a national solidarity |
| of the country. Most of the remaining part | | | | policy and strong social commitment of the |
| consists of fertile soil and a 1300 km coastline. | | | | government. |
| According to the reports by the World Economic | | | | Diverse economy can be found in Tunisia ranging |
| Forum, Tunisia ranks high among Arab and African | | | | from agriculture, mining, manufacturing, petroleum |
| nations. The capital city of present Tunisia, called | | | | products and tourism. Clothing and footwear |
| Tunis is responsible for giving the country its | | | | manufacturing, production of car parts and electric |
| name. It can also be associated with the | | | | machinery make up the industrial sector. Tunisia |
| Phoenician goddess Tanith or the ancient city of | | | | excels in transportation facilities also. The country |
| Tynes. | | | | maintains 19,232 km of roads and there are 30 |
| Tunisia has a republic presidential system | | | | airports. Four airlines - Tunisair, Karthago, Nouvelair |
| characterized by bicameral parliamentary system. | | | | and Sevenair serve there. The railway network is |
| It includes the Chamber of Representatives and | | | | operated by SNCFT and the Tunis area is served |
| the Chamber of Advisors. Zine El Abidine Ben Ali | | | | by a tram network, Metro Leger. |
| has been discharging the duties of President since | | | | According to the constitution it is compulsory that |
| 1987. He has the credit of starting a series of | | | | the President should be a Muslim. Though the |
| reforms meant to introduce political pluralism and | | | | official state religion is Islam, the country enjoys a |
| boost the economy. In Tunisia, the President | | | | considerable degree of religious freedom. People |
| remains in power for five years. He appoints a | | | | have the freedom to practice their own religion. It |
| Prime Minister and cabinet, who play an important | | | | has a culture which accepts other religions and the |
| role in the execution of policy. It boasts of an | | | | government tolerates religious freedom as long as |
| independent judiciary. The highly professional | | | | it does not threaten national unity. Tunisians, who |
| military does not have any link with politics. The | | | | believe in religious tolerance, do not question the |
| parliament is opened to opposition parties since | | | | religious beliefs of other people. 98% of the |
| 1987. Presently, nine political parties are there in | | | | people there are Muslims, 1% Christians and 1% |
| Tunisia, six of whom are represented in | | | | belongs to other religions. |
| parliament. The President is against the presence | | | | Tunisia is popular for its natural beauty. It is the |
| of religious parties in the parliament. | | | | land of colors and contrasts, spices and scents. A |
| Tunisia is not blessed with natural resources like | | | | lot of French speaking people are there in the |
| its neighbors. But the standards of living are | | | | country. You can see the presence of Europeans |
| among the best in the developing world. This can | | | | here especially in the resort hotels along the |
| be proved by the fact that the country has | | | | coast. |
| become self-sufficient in material goods and real | | | | |