Tunisia

Introduction & Quick Facts
Land
- Relief
- Drainage
- Soils
- Climate
- Plant and animal life
People
- Ethnic groups
- Languages
- Religion
- Settlement patterns
- Demographic trends
Economy
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
- Resources and power
- Manufacturing
- Finance
- Trade
- Services
- Labour and taxation
- Transportation and telecommunications
Government and society
- Constitutional framework
- Local government
- Justice
- Political process
- Security
- Health and welfare
- Housing
- Education
Cultural life
- Daily life and social customs
- The arts
- Cultural institutions
- Sports and recreation
- Media and publishing
History
- The growth of European influence
- The protectorate (1881–1956)
- World War II
- Independence under the Neo-Destour Party (1956–2011)
  - Domestic development
  - Foreign relations
- The Jasmine Revolution
  - Ouster of Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali
  - Transition
  - Factional tension, compromise, and a new constitution
  - Unity government
  - Presidency of Kais Saied

References & Edit History Facts & Stats

Images

Map of Tunisia showing its national boundaries, major cities including Tunis, Sfax, Sousse, and Gabes, and neighboring countries Algeria and Libya. The Mediterranean Sea borders Tunisia to the north and east. An inset locator map highlights Tunisia's position in northern Africa.

Al-Marsā, Tunisia

Map highlighting Tunisia in North Africa, shaded in tan, with neighboring countries Algeria and Libya labeled, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. Surrounding regions of southern Europe and North Africa are also visible for geographic context.

Ancient stone ruins of the Antonine baths with two standing columns overlooking Lake Tunis in Carthage, Tunisia, with the water and distant shoreline visible in the background.

Map of Tunisia highlighting its physical features, including mountain ranges like the Dorsale, Mount Chambi, national parks, major plains, Chott El-Jarid salt lake, and Jerba Island. Neighboring countries Algeria and Libya, as well as the Mediterranean Sea and nearby islands, are shown. An inset locator map indicates Tunisia's position in northern Africa.

Tunisia: Ethnic composition

Tunisia: Religious affiliation

Tunisia: Urban-rural

At a Glance

default image

Tunisia summary

Tunisia: Media

country, Africa

Images

Tunisia

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Map of Tunisia showing its national boundaries, major cities including Tunis, Sfax, Sousse, and Gabes, and neighboring countries Algeria and Libya. The Mediterranean Sea borders Tunisia to the north and east. An inset locator map highlights Tunisia's position in northern Africa.

Tunisia

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Al-Marsā, Tunisia

Al-Marsā, Tunisia

Beach at Al-Marsā, on the Gulf of Tunis, northeastern Tunisia.

Steve Vidler/Leo de Wys, Inc.

Map highlighting Tunisia in North Africa, shaded in tan, with neighboring countries Algeria and Libya labeled, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. Surrounding regions of southern Europe and North Africa are also visible for geographic context.

Tunisia

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Ancient stone ruins of the Antonine baths with two standing columns overlooking Lake Tunis in Carthage, Tunisia, with the water and distant shoreline visible in the background.

ruins at Carthage, Tunisia

Ruins of the ancient baths at Carthage, Tunisia.

© Peter Robinson/stock.adobe.com

Map of Tunisia highlighting its physical features, including mountain ranges like the Dorsale, Mount Chambi, national parks, major plains, Chott El-Jarid salt lake, and Jerba Island. Neighboring countries Algeria and Libya, as well as the Mediterranean Sea and nearby islands, are shown. An inset locator map indicates Tunisia's position in northern Africa.

Physical features of Tunisia

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Béja, Tunisia: haymaking

Béja, Tunisia: haymaking

Haymaking near Béja, northern Tunisia.

F. Botts/M. Grimoldi

El-Kef, Tunisia

El-Kef, Tunisia

The town and citadel of El-Kef (Al-Kāf), northwestern Tunisia.

© Leonid Andronov/stock.adobe.com

Kairouan, Tunisia: Sidi Sahab zāwiyah

Kairouan, Tunisia: Sidi Sahab zāwiyah

Courtyard of the zāwiyah (religious college) of Sidi Sahab near Kairouan...

© Bruno Coelho/stock.adobe.com

Stone ruins with columns and partial walls stand on the shore of Lake Tunis in Carthage, Tunisia, with blue sky and water visible in the background.

ruins at Carthage, Tunisia

Ancient ruins at Carthage, Tunisia.

© AlexeyE30/stock.adobe.com

Sousse, Tunisia

Sousse, Tunisia

The historic medina of Sousse (Sūsah), northeastern Tunisia.

© adisa/stock.adobe.com

Monastir, Tunisia: ribāṭ

Monastir, Tunisia: ribāṭ

Ribāṭ (fortified Muslim monastery) dating to the 9th century ce,...

© Alexey Goosev/Fotolia

Jasmine Revolution

Jasmine Revolution

Demonstrators in the capital city of Tunis sitting on a wall where “Free at last”...

Christophe Ena—AP/Shutterstock.com

Map showing the Atlas Mountains across Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia in North Africa, with color shading to indicate elevation changes. Major mountain ranges, cities, rivers, and physical features such as the High Atlas, Anti-Atlas, Saharan Atlas, and surrounding deserts are labeled. An inset locator map highlights the region's position in northern Africa.

Atlas Mountains

The Atlas Mountains.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Map of the Sahara Desert region in northern Africa showing physical features such as mountain ranges, plateaus, major sand areas, and elevation with color shading. Country boundaries, major cities, and select spot elevations are labeled. An inset locator map highlights the Sahara's position within Africa and the Mediterranean region.

Physiography of the Sahara.

The Sahara.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Tunisia

Tunisia

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Audio

National anthem of Tunisia

The instrumental version of the national anthem of Tunisia.

Interactives

Tunisia: Ethnic composition

Tunisia: Ethnic composition

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Tunisia: Religious affiliation

Tunisia: Religious affiliation

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Tunisia: Urban-rural

Tunisia: Urban-rural

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Tunisia: Age breakdown

Tunisia: Age breakdown

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Tunisia: Major import sources

Tunisia: Major import sources

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Tunisia: Major export destinations

Tunisia: Major export destinations

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

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