Tunisia (Arabic: تونس Tūnis, officially the Tunisian Republic (الجمهورية التونسية), is a country situated on the
Flag of Tunisia
Mediterranean coast of North Africa. It is the northernmost African country and the smallest of the nations situated along the Atlas mountain range. Around forty percent of the country is composed of the Sahara desert, with much of the remainder consisting of particularly fertile soil, and a 1300-km coastline. Both played a prominent role in ancient times, first with the famous Phoenician city of Carthage, and later, as the Africa Province, which became known as the bread basket of the Roman Empire.
Capital: (and largest city) Tunis
Location of Tunisia
Official languages: Arabic
Government: Republic - President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali - Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi
Independence: - from France March 20, 1956
Area: - Total 163,610 km² (92nd) 63,170 sq mi - Water (%) 5.0
Population: - July 2005 estimate 10,102,000 (78th) - 1994 census 8,785,711 - Density 62 /km² (133rd (2005)) 161 /sq mi
GDP (PPP): 2005 estimate - Total $ 86.67 billion (63rd) - Per capita $8,255 (71st)
Gini: (2000) 39.8 (medium)
HDI: (2004) 0.760 (medium) (87th)
Currency: Tunisian dinar (TND)
Time zone: CET (UTC+1) - Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Arab Countries Guide 
