Area Total | 163,610 sq km |
Climate | temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south |
Natural Resources | petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt |
Imports | Italy 15.8%, France 15.1%, China 9.2%, Germany 8.1%, Turkey 4.8%, Algeria 4.7%, Spain 4.5% (2017) – textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, foodstuffs |
Exports | France 32.1%, Italy 17.3%, Germany 12.4% (2017) – clothing, semi-finished goods and textiles, agricultural products, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, hydrocarbons, electrical equipment |
Government | parliamentary republic |
Capital | Tunis |
Population | 11,516,189 (July 2018 est.) |
Ethnicity | Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1% |
Language | Arabic (official, one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce), Berber (Tamazight) |
News about Tunisia
- UK to work with allies and social media to tackle people smuggling advertsby Martyn Landi on April 2, 2025
A new agreement will see nations and social media giants work more closely together to tackle criminal gangs using online platforms to advertise.
- Tunisia opposition figures go on trial on state security chargesby RFI on March 4, 2025
The trial of several prominent Tunisian opposition figures accused of national security offences opened on Tuesday, with rights groups denouncing the case as politically motivated.
- Tunisia reclaims lost voices of WWI riflemen from German archivesby RFI on February 1, 2025
Germany has returned hundreds of sound recordings of North African soldiers who were held as prisoners during World War I, helping to fill a major gap in Tunisia’s war archives.
- Deadly New Year for migrants as Tunisian shipwreck claims 27 livesby RFI on January 2, 2025
Twenty-seven migrants, including women and children, died after two boats capsized off central Tunisia, with 83 people rescued, a civil defence official told AFP on Thursday.
- Mobile cinema brings big screen magic to Tunisia's remote communitiesby RFI on December 29, 2024
Like many of his fellow Tunisians, 23-year-old Amine Elhani has never been to the cinema, but now, thanks to a mobile theatre touring the country, he can finally enjoy the big screen.
- Tunisia women herb harvesters struggle with drought and heatby RFI on December 28, 2024
On a hillside in Tunisia's northwestern highlands, women scour a sun-scorched field for the wild herbs they rely on for their livelihoods, but droughts and rising temperatures are making it ever harder to find the precious plants.
- How the Tunisian sun is turning red algae into food industry goldby RFI on December 7, 2024
In the sheltered waters of northwest Tunisia's Bizerte lagoon, red algae is being transformed into valuable food additives using nothing but sunlight – a natural process that is creating jobs and reviving marine life in the process.
- University demands release of French student arrested in Tunisiaby Melissa Chemam with RFI on October 31, 2024
French PhD student Victor Dupont has been detained in Tunisia on breach of state security charges for at least 12 days, it was announced this week. His university has denounced the arrest as an attack on fundamental liberties.
- Tunisian farmer revives parched village with EU fundingby RFI on October 13, 2024
Parched crops on one side and lush green plants on the other, a small farming project in northwest Tunisia demonstrates how foreign funding coupled with dogged local efforts can help tackle the impact of climate change.
- Supporters of Tunisia's Saied celebrate his landslide election winby RFI on October 7, 2024
Supporters of incumbent Tunisian President Kais Saied celebrated in the capital on Sunday night after an exit poll broadcast on state television showed him winning the election by a landslide, ahead of his two rivals, one of whom is now in prison.
- Tunisia votes in presidential polls marked by economic and political woesby Melissa Chemam with RFI on October 6, 2024
Tunisians are headed to the polls on Sunday for presidential elections widely expected to be dominated by incumbent leader Kais Saied, who's seeking a new term amid a struggling economy and political tensions.
- 'This country has let us down': young Tunisians seek future abroadby RFI on October 5, 2024
About a third of the nearly 10 million Tunisians set to vote in a presidential election this weekend are under 35, according to official figures. Yet the poll appears to have created a mood of resignation among young people, most of whom would rather leave the country, according to a recent study.
- Fear and resignation ahead of Tunisia's 'lopsided' presidential pollsby Melissa Chemam with RFI on October 4, 2024
Nearly 10 million Tunisians are gearing up to vote on Sunday in presidential elections dominated by incumbent leader Kais Saied, whose rule has been marked by accusations of authoritarianism.
- Tunisia lawmakers strip court of electoral power days before presidential voteby RFI on September 28, 2024
Tunisia's parliament has approved a law stripping its top court of its authority to rule on electoral disputes, nine days before the presidential election. Opposition groups fear the move is aimed at ensuring President Kais Saied remains in power.
- Tunisians resume protests against president ahead of October electionby RFI on September 23, 2024
Hundreds of Tunisians protested on Sunday against President Kais Saied, accusing him of deepening authoritarian rule and stifling political competition two weeks before a presidential election.
- Tunisia’s presidential campaign continues amid protests over restricted freedomsby Melissa Chemam with RFI on September 18, 2024
In Tunisia, the presidential election campaign kicked off on Saturday, ahead of the vote scheduled for 6 October. Only three candidates are in the running for the presidency. Meanwhile, some activists have begun protesting, raising concerns about a "climate of fear".
- Tunisian opposition candidate arrested amid 'dictatorial' pre-election climateby Melissa Chemam with RFI on September 2, 2024
Five weeks from Tunisia's presidential election, police have arrested one of the few opposition candidates authorised to run against President Kais Saied. It comes amid what civil society groups have denounced as a "dictatorial" political climate ahead of the 6 October polls.
- Tunisia's presidential race marred by arrests and claims of intimidationby Melissa Chemam with RFI on August 6, 2024
Presidential polls in Tunisia have gotten off to a rocky start with critics denouncing a crackdown that has seen opponents of leader Kais Saied arrested, jailed and blocked from running. Tuesday was the deadline for candidates to register for the 6 October vote.
- Tunisia calls presidential election for 6 Octoberby RFI on July 3, 2024
Tunisia will hold a presidential election on 6 October, the office of President Kais Saied announced Tuesday, though he has not indicated if he will seek a new five-year term after his 2019 election.
- Four Tunisians sentenced to death for 2013 murder of politician Chokri Belaidby RFI on March 27, 2024
Four people were sentenced to death and two to life in prison on Wednesday after a decade-long investigation into the 2013 killing of Tunisian secular opposition leader Chokri Belaid.