Republic of Tunisia

Location: Situated on the North African coast of the Mediterranean Sea between Algeria and Libya and just south of Italy, Tunisia represents an intriguing cross-cultural blend of Europe and Africa. Tunisia is situated on the fringe of the Sahara, and while it has an arid land it is not a stereotypically desert country.

Language: Arabic, is the official language, and while some businessmen speak English, Italian or German, French is usually the language of commerce. French is less apt to be understood in the far south. English and German are also spoken in major cities.

Religion: Islam is the state religion and allmost all inhabitants are Moslems, but there are small numbers of Roman Catholics, Jews, Greek Orthodox, and Protestants.

Political System: Republic.

Population: Tunisia has a population (1997 estimate) of 9,245,284, yielding an average population density of 56 persons per sq km (146 per sq mi). About three-quarters of the population lived in the coastal region. The arid central and southern parts make up 70 percent of the total land area, but contain less than 30 percent of the population. Throughout history, many peoples, including Romans, Vandals, black Africans, and Arabs, have invaded or settled in the region that is now Tunisia. Tunisians, however, are essentially of Berber stock, although fewer than 2 percent speak the Berber language. As a result of Arabization, Arabic has become the language of the Tunisian people, who have come to regard themselves as Arabs.

Membership: Tunisia is a member of the UN, OAU, AER, the Islamic Conference and Union of the Arab Maghreb.