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North Africa's smallest country, Tunisia lies sandwiched between Libya and Algeria. The populous north is mountainous and fertile in places and has a long Mediterranean coastline. The south is largely desert. Habib Bourguiba ruled the country from independence in 1956 until a bloodless coup in 1987. Under President Ben Ali, the government has slowly moved toward multiparty democracy, but is challenged by Islamic fundamentalism. Ties with the EU, whose members include Tunisia's main trading partners, were strengthened through the first Euro-Mediterranean conference held in 1995. Manufacturing and tourism are expanding.