ABSTRACT
The smallest of the North African countries, Tunisia is framed to the north and east by the Mediterranean, with Libya to the east, and Algeria to the south and west. One of the Mediterranean’s most famous ancient cities, Carthage, which was destroyed by the Romans in 149 BCE, was here. The Berber Hafsids, a powerful Berber dynasty, ruled from 1207 to 1574. Along with most of North Africa, Tunisia was next controlled by the Ottoman Empire from the end of the sixteenth century, until the French gained control in the late nineteenth century. In 1883, Tunisia became a French protectorate, and while the 1930s saw much anti-French activity, full independence was not granted until 1956. Habib Bourguiba became prime minister, then president a year later. Although named “president for life,” Bourguiba was overthrown in 1987. Although democratic reforms were introduced, a long struggle with Islamic fundamentalists has resulted in occasional violence and restriction of political freedoms, as has been the case in neighboring Algeria.
