Geography of Tunisia

Tunisia is a North African country bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east, by Algeria to the west and by Libya to the south-east. Its capital, Tunis, lies in the north-east of the country, on the Gulf of Tunis. The country was once the cradle of the Carthaginian civilisation, and the Carthaginian capital, Carthage, is now part of the smart northern suburbs of Tunis.

Tunisia is the northernmost country in Africa, separated from Europe by just 140 km across the Strait of Sicily. With an area of 163,610 km², it is the smallest state in the Maghreb and in North Africa. Despite its relatively small size, Tunisia offers a wide variety of landscapes and terrain. The Sahara desert, in the south, covers about a third of its area and consists mainly of chotts (salt lakes), rocky plateaus and dunes. The mountainous north-west is a continuation of the Atlas range, whose highest point here is Djebel Chambi (1,544 m). To the east, a plain stretches between Hammamet and Ben Gardane. Finally, the eastern and northern coastline is dotted with several islands, the best known being Djerba, Kerkennah and Kuriat.

Climate

Tunisia enjoys a great deal of sunshine, more than 3,000 hours a year. Temperatures vary with proximity to the Mediterranean, latitude and altitude. On the whole, the weather is pleasant for much of the year in the main Tunisian cities, though some areas can reach more extreme temperatures: in the mountains in winter it can drop below 0°C, while in the desert regions in summer the maximum often climbs above 50°C.

Administrative divisions and demographics

Tunisia is divided into 24 governorates, each named after its capital town. The governors who run them are appointed by the President of the Tunisian Republic. The thirteen coastal governorates (in the east) account for 65% of the population.

Settlement and development are uneven across Tunisia. The urban network is concentrated along the eastern coastal strip, which has the largest economic infrastructure and is home to more than 80% of the urban population.