Following independence from France in 1956, 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 recent years, Tunisia has taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to diffuse rising pressure for a more open political society.
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya
Capital: Tunis
Head of State: Kais Saied
chief of state: President Moncef MARZOUKI (since 12 December 2011)
head of government: Prime Minister Ali LAAREYDH (since 27 February 2013)
cabinet: selected by the prime minister and approved by the Constituent Assembly
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elections: president elected by Constituent Assembly; election last held on 12 December 2011(next to be held in 2013); prime minister appointed by the president
Independence: 20 March 1956 (from France)
Population: 10,835,873 (July 2013 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.95% (2013 est.)
Ethnic groups: Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%
Religions: Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%
Languages: Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce)
Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt
Currency: Tunisian Dinar (TND)