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. 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.
Tourism is also an important economic activity.
France and other European Union countries, as well as North African countries, are the main trade partners. The prime minister and cabinet are appointed by the president. The country is divided into 23 provinces. The coast of Tunisia was settled in 10th cent. B.C. by Phoenicians.