Tunisia-Group+A

-The approximate median age for Tunisia is 30 years old. About 51% women and 49% men. -The ethnic group of the Tunisians are 98% Arab, 1% European and 1% Jewish (and other). So therefore, the religion is 98% Muslim, 1% Christian and 1% Jewish (and other). -Land is located in northern Africa bordering the Mediterranean Sea. It is slightly larger than Georgia with mountains up in the northern. The southern part merges into the Sahara and it is hot in nearly every part of Tunisia. Temperatures in the northern are mild and can be very rainy while in the southern it can be hot and dry. -Major exports are clothing, mechanical goods, phosphate, electrical equipment, agricultural products and chemicals. Government type? -Republic Who can vote? -A person who's father was born in Tunisia. Must be at least 25 years of age. Also must have lived in Tunisia for a minimum of 20 years. How often are elections held? -Every 5 years and have no term limits.
 * Part I-A Look at the Nation**
 * Demographics**
 * Geography**
 * Economic Resources**
 * -**Major imports in Tunisia are textiles, machinery and equipment, chemicals, hydrocarbons and food.
 * Political Structure**

Citation Credits cia.gov economywatch.com google.com 1) In 1987, Prime Minister Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has President Bourguiba declared mentally unfit to rule and takes power himself. 2) In 1989 Ben Ali wins the presidential elections. 3) In April of 2002, 19 people are killed in a bomb explosion at a synagogue. A synagogue is a Jewish house of worship, which often has facilities for religious instruction. 4) In January of 2007, Islamist militants, supporting or advocating Islamic fundamentalism, and security forces clash in Tunis. Twelve people were killed. 5) In January of 2011, the protests continue, with demonstrators saying police killed at least 50 people in attempting to stop them. President Ben Ali goes into exile, forced to leave the country.
 * Part II-Timeline**

Cite: [|www.news.bbc.com] [|www.images.google.com] 1) For thispeticular leader almost none of the purposes are met, for example:
 * Part III-Legitimacy and the Current Leader & Government**
 * Keep order-no; WHen chaos broke loose the police were completely unable to stop the rioters, and as I see it Ben Ali didn't do a thing
 * Provide services-no; All services stoped when the riots began
 * Good econemy-no; The econemy is very poor, barely any opportunities to get a good job, so as a result not a lot of people have any jobs
 * Protection of rights-no;The given rights of even a simple street vendor were taken away and taken from him
 * Solve conflict-no;

As you can see Ben Ali has met none of the purposes.

Cite:
 * [|Berlusconi visits Italy's refugee-laden Lampedusa island - Sofia Echo]


 * [|Tunisia: The tragic life of a street vendor - Aliran Monthly]

1) In residential areas, it the damage looks like it is from gangs that are on the loose. But when they looked closer at the damage, they realized that it was respectable, understanding members of the community who have been reduced to desperate measures to protect what is theirs.
 * Part IV-Current Uprising**

2) Tunisian people revolted because they did not want President Ben Ali to be president anymore. The transitional government said that 78 people were killed in the weeks of protests that started mid-December. The security forces opened fire on demonstrators angry over unemployment, corruption, and food prices.

3) It had been planned and many people wanted to participate.

4) Police officers had went on strike in the cities. over 50,000 protestors had gathered in the Tunis main avenue chanting Ben Ali (president of Tunisia) to leave and also singing the national anthem.

5) The military did not attack on the protesters and refused to complete Ben Ali’s orders. Ben Ali fled the country.

6) A caretaker is now running Tunisia at the moment and elections are said to be held within the next 6 - 7 months

Citation Credits theworld.org aljazeera.net