Tunis:
A factfile on Tunisia, which holds its first multi-candidate presidential election today in the final stage of a post-revolution transition.
Geography: North African country of almost 11 million people, in an area of 163,610 square kilometres (63,170 square miles), around one-sixth of which is desert. Tunisia has a Mediterranean coastline of 1,300 kilometres (808 miles).
Recent History: After deadly protests rocked the country over unemployment and high prices, president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who took power in a bloodless coup in 1987, fled the country for Saudi Arabia on January 14, 2011, after 23 years in power.
More than 300 people were killed in the revolt, which sparked the "Arab Spring" uprisings across the region.
Ennahda became the main political force, winning Tunisia's first free election, to a constitutional council, in October 2011.
In January 2014, lawmakers adopted a new constitution after two years of political turmoil which exposed a deep rift between Ennahda and the secular opposition.
A government of independents, led by Mehdi Jomaa and tasked with steering Tunisia to fresh elections, was sworn in, replacing an Islamist-led administration.
On October 26, the secular Nidaa Tounes party came top in legislative polls beating Ennahda, winning 85 of 217 parliamentary seats.
Economy: The economy took a hit from the 2011 revolution and is struggling to get back on its feet, even though unemployment and poverty were at the very roots of the uprising. It has also suffered from political turmoil and regular social conflicts.
Main products: olives, cereals, citrus fruits, dates, phosphates, oil and textiles. Tourism is also a key sector.
Growth: After a year of recession in 2011, growth has picked up but is expected to reach no more than 2.5 per cent in 2014.
Unemployment: 15 per cent of the active population, of which 240,000 are graduates.
Geography: North African country of almost 11 million people, in an area of 163,610 square kilometres (63,170 square miles), around one-sixth of which is desert. Tunisia has a Mediterranean coastline of 1,300 kilometres (808 miles).
Recent History: After deadly protests rocked the country over unemployment and high prices, president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who took power in a bloodless coup in 1987, fled the country for Saudi Arabia on January 14, 2011, after 23 years in power.
More than 300 people were killed in the revolt, which sparked the "Arab Spring" uprisings across the region.
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Ennahda became the main political force, winning Tunisia's first free election, to a constitutional council, in October 2011.
In January 2014, lawmakers adopted a new constitution after two years of political turmoil which exposed a deep rift between Ennahda and the secular opposition.
A government of independents, led by Mehdi Jomaa and tasked with steering Tunisia to fresh elections, was sworn in, replacing an Islamist-led administration.
On October 26, the secular Nidaa Tounes party came top in legislative polls beating Ennahda, winning 85 of 217 parliamentary seats.
Economy: The economy took a hit from the 2011 revolution and is struggling to get back on its feet, even though unemployment and poverty were at the very roots of the uprising. It has also suffered from political turmoil and regular social conflicts.
Main products: olives, cereals, citrus fruits, dates, phosphates, oil and textiles. Tourism is also a key sector.
Growth: After a year of recession in 2011, growth has picked up but is expected to reach no more than 2.5 per cent in 2014.
Unemployment: 15 per cent of the active population, of which 240,000 are graduates.
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