Img 1: Flag of Tunisia 4

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TUNISIA

Img 1: Flag of Tunisia [4]

Img 2: Map of Tunisa [9]

Img 3: Location of Tunisia [10]

1. Introduction

Rivalry between French and Italian interests in Tunisia culminated in a French invasion in 1881 and the creation of a protectorate. Agitation for independence in the decades following World War I was finally successful in getting the French to recognize Tunisia as an independent state in 1956. The country's first 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 November 1987, BOURGUIBA was removed from office and replaced by Zine el Abidine BEN ALI in a bloodless coup. Street protests that began in Tunis in December 2010 over high unemployment, corruption, widespread poverty, and high food prices escalated in January 2011, culminating in rioting that led to hundreds of deaths. On 14 January 2011, the same day BEN ALI dismissed the government, he fled the country, and by late January 2011, a "national unity government" was formed. In late October 2011, elections for a Constituent Assembly were held. The Constituent Assembly is charged with appointing a new interim government, drafting a new constitution, and preparing for legislative and presidential elections. [1]

1. Basic information

2.1. General[3]

2.2.Political status[3]

1. Maps skills

Gulf of Gabes, Golfe de Boughrara, Jerba Island, Kerkennah Islands, Atlas mts., Bou-Hedma NP, Djebel Chambi NP, Jebil NP, Chott el-Jérid, Lac de Bizerte, Medjerda River

1. Population and Settlement

4.1. Demographics

98% of modern Tunisians are Arab-Berber, speakers of Tunisian Arabic. There is also a small population (1%) of Berbers, living in the Jabal Dahar mountains and on the island of Jerba. The Berbers speak Berber languages called Shelha.

1% of European population consist mostly of French and Italians. We cannot forget about Jewish community, who are settled in Tunisia for 2,000 years. In 1948 the Jewish population was circa 105,000, but by 2003 only about 1,500 remained.[4] Img 5: Berber people [10]

Tab.1: Races of Tunisia

Tab. 2: Religion of Tunisia

4.2.Religion

Img 6: Arab people [12]

The constitution declares Islam as the official state religion and rewuires the President to be Muslim. Besides the president, there is a significant degree of religious freedom, a right written in constitution.

Christians are mainly Catholics (22,000) and Protestants appear less. Judaism is third largest religion with 1,500 members. Jewish people live mainly in and around the capital, remain lives on the island of Djerba, with 39 synanogues. [4]

4.3. Language

The official language is Modern Standard Arabic, but Tunisian Arabic is the local vernacular and also considered Tunisia`s native language. A local variety of Arabic is used by the public too. There is also a small minority speaking Shelha, a Berber language.

French also plays a major role in the country from former French occupation, despite having no official status. It is widely used in education, the press, business. Most Tunisians are able to speak French. Italian is spoken by just a small part of the Tunisian population. [4]

4.3. Settlement

Tab. 3: Largest cities of Tunisia[1]

1. Economy (agriculture, industry, services, transportation)

Tunisia has a diverse economy – agriculture, mining, manufacturing, petroleum products and tourism. In 2008 it had a GDP of US $41 bilion. It also has one of Africa and the Middle East`s highest per-capita GDPs. The industrial sector is mainly made up of clothing and footwear manufacturing, production of car parts, and electric machinery. However, Tunisia suffer from a high unemployment especially among young people.

In 2009 Tunisia was ranked the most competitive economy in Africa and 40th in the world. Tunisia has managed to attract many international companies such as Airbus and Hewlett-Packard.

Tourism accounted for 7% of GDP and 370,000 jobs in 2009.

First trading partner of Tunisia is The European Union – 72.5% of Tunisian imports and 75% of Tunisian exports. [4]

• Agriculture – products:

olives, olive oil, grain, tomatoes, citrus fruit, sugar beets, dates, almonds, beef, dairy products [1]

• Industries:

Tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages [1]

• Natural resources:

phosphate, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, lead, zinc [3]

Img 7: Olive plantation [13]

1. Tourism

• Carhage

Major urban centre that has existed for nearly 3,000 years on the Gulf of Tunis, developing from a Phoenician colony of the 1st millennium BC. It is currently a suburb of Tunis, Tunisia, with a population of 20,715. [5]

• Djerba

Also Jerba or Jarbah, has 514 sq km and that makes Jerba the largest island of North Africa, located in the Gulf of Gabes. It attracts mainly tourists by providing luxury services. [6]

• Monastir

City on the central coast of Tunisia, in the Sahel area. Traditionally a fishing port, Monastir is now a major tourist resort. [7]

1. Key studies

• Arab spring – Tunisian revolution

Following the suicidal self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi, a series of violent street demonstrations through December 2010 led to the oustrer of longtime President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on 14th January 2011. The demonstrations were causedby high unemployment, food inflation, corruption, lack of freedom of speech and other forms of political freedom, and poor living conditions. The protests contituted the most dramatic wave of social and political unrest in Tunisia in three decades, and have resulted in scores of deaths and injuries, most of which were result of action by police and security forces against demonstrators. Ben Ali fled into exile in Saudi Arabia, ending his 23 years in power.

Img 8: Demonstration [14]

Following Ben Ali`s deparature, a state of emergency was declared and a caretaker coalition government was created, which included members of Ben Ali`s party, the Constutituonal Democratic Rally (RCD), as well as opposition figures from other ministries. However, the five newly appointed non-RDC ministers resigned almost immediately. As a result of continued daily protests, on 27th January Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi reshuffled the government, removing all former RCD members other than himself, and on 6th February the former ruling party was suspended. Later, on 9th March, it was dissolved. Following futher public protests, Ghannouchi himself resigned on 27th February, and Beji Caid el Sebsi became Prime Minister. [8]

Img 9: former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali [15]

1. Videos

Tunisian National Anthem

The story of Mohamed Bouazizi

„Visit Tunisia after the revolution, where it all started!“

Tunisia, another side of the Mediterranean

Tunisian wedding song – traditional music

Traditional Tunisian dance

1. Tasks

• Which country created a protectorate of Tunisia in 1881?
• Which group of Tunisian people speaks Shelha language?
• What is the official state religion?
• Compare Tunisian economy with economies of other African states.
• Describe tourism of Tunisia. Why is this country so attractive for tourists?
• Name causes of Tunisian Arab spring.

References:

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[9]

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[16]