Tunisia is a small and politically stable country on the North African coast. It has the most diversified economy in the region. With a population of slightly over 10 million, it has one of the highest standards of living on the continent. The country does not have vast reserves of hydrocarbons like its neighbors Algeria and Libya, but has prospered under long-standing government policies to develop manufacturing and tourism. At the same time, social programs limit population growth, provide a high standard of education, and ensure a relatively decent standard of living for all. <br />