|
Tunisia's economy, traditionally based on agriculture, now has important mining, energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors, and the country has become increasingly middle class. The leading crops are wheat, barley, olives, dates, sugar beets, citrus fruits, and almonds. Because irrigation is inadequate, agricultural production varies widely according to rainfall. Petroleum was found (1964) in the Sahara not far from the Algerian border, and production began in 1966; subsequent oil discoveries have increased production significantly. Recent developments in the extraction of natural gas, centered in the Gulf of Gabes, have made the country more self-sufficient. Tunisia has large phosphate reserves and iron ore is found in quantity. Zinc, lead, and salt are also mined.
Tunisia's manufacturing industries (located primarily in Tunis) include textile factories, steelworks, leather, food processing, paper, wood products, and construction materials. Tourism is also an important economic activity. Petroleum, phosphates, textiles, and olive oil are the country's leading exports; its imports, which exceed exports, are headed by machinery, metal products, chemicals, food (particularly cereals), and transportation equipment. France and other European Union countries, as well as North African countries, are the main trade partners.
Sections in this article:
|
