| 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
- Tunisia voters give President near unchecked power in low turnout referendumby RFI on July 27, 2022
Tunisia has approved a new constitution granting sweeping powers to the office of President Kais Saied. Voters overwhelmingly backed the document, but less than a third of the population took part in the vote.
- Tunisia referendum approves expansion of president’s powers – officialsby Martin Chulov Middle East correspondent, and agencies on July 26, 2022
Electoral commission – controlled by President Kais Saied – says 95% voted yes in constitutional referendum, which was boycotted by opposition groupsTunisian president Kais Saied has celebrated the almost certain victory of the yes vote in a referendum on a new constitution that hands him wide-ranging powers and risks the return of authoritarian rule in […]
- Tunisians vote on constitution that is set to bolster role of presidentby RFI on July 26, 2022
President Kais Saied said Tunisia had "entered a new phase" on Tuesday with a new constitution almost certain to pass in a referendum, concentrating almost all powers in his office.
- Tunisians vote in referendum on handing president almost total powerby Martin Chulov Middle East correspondent on July 25, 2022
Low turnout suggests voters unconcerned by Kais Saied’s new constitution, which some say marks the end of the Arab springTunisians were on Monday expected to approve giving the president unfettered powers, ending the country’s stumbles towards democratic rule and capping the turbulent decade across the region known as the Arab spring.As voters trickled […]
- Senegal and Cameroon carve out another chance for World Cup gloryby Paul Myers on July 18, 2022
Senegal and Cameroon advanced to the inter-confederation play-off for next year's women's World Cup on Sunday after wins over Tunisia and Botswana respectively.
- Ousted Cup of Nations quarter-finalists vie for one more roll of World Cup diceby Paul Myers on July 16, 2022
The four losing quarter-finalists at the women's Africa Cup of Nations will play on Sunday in Morocco for their World Cup futures.
- Crab invasion: alien species goes from pest to profit – a photo essayby Rossella Santosuosso on July 15, 2022
Over the past decade, Tunisian fishing communities have been plagued by an invasive species of crab known for its destructive nature. So they got creative• Photographs by Rossella SantosuossoIt can take Nabil a whole day to free the crabs entangled in his fishing nets. It is slow and meticulous work. Back in 2014, fishers such as Nabil started to notice […]
- Tunisia's arrivistes take on South Africa's royalty for Cup of Nations prizesby Paul Myers on July 14, 2022
Such are the vicissitudes at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations that a team can lose two matches in the pool stages and yet ponder participation in the World Cup.
- Five go in search of World Cup adventure at Africa Cup of Nationsby Paul Myers on July 13, 2022
Rabat’s nothing like it used to be, the locals say. And a couple of years from now, they’ll doubtless be offering similar views. For some it will be a lament. For others an opportunity, especially those wafting around the landscaped lather of projects such as Le Carrousel along the Atlantic waterfront.
- Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina celebrates hard-won title at Wimbledonby RFI on July 10, 2022
Elena Rybakina beat Tunisia's Ons Jabeur 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the Wimbledon final on Saturday to become the first tennis player from Kazakhstan to win a Grand Slam singles championship. It was the first women’s title match since 1962 at the All England Club between two players who were making their debuts in a major final.
- Ons Jabeur brings Tunisian tennis to the brink of historyby Simon Speakman Cordall and Aina J Khan on July 9, 2022
The 27-year-old is the first woman of north African or Arab descent to reach a grand slam final – and determined more compatriots will soon follow“Yalla!” It is a lion’s roar of victory that has become synonymous with Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur, who went thundering into the Wimbledon final on Thursday when she defeated Tatjana Maria.It took […]
- History women: Jabeur and Rybakina to vie for Wimbledon women's singles crownby Paul Myers on July 7, 2022
Ons Jabeur and Elena Rybakina etched out respective pieces of legend on Thursday when they advanced to the women's singles final at Wimbledon.
- Nigeria face moment of truth at women's Africa Cup of Nationsby Paul Myers on July 7, 2022
Defending champions Nigeria face a test of their mettle on Thursday night in Rabat when they take on Botswana in their second pool match at the women's Africa Cup of Nations.
- Tunisian constitution panel boss condemns President's draftby RFI on July 4, 2022
The head of Tunisia’s constitution committee has rejected a proposed new constitution put forward by the President, warning it could “pave the way for a disgraceful dictatorial regime”.
- Tunisia draft constitution gives President lion's share of powerby RFI on July 1, 2022
Tunisia's President has published details of a reformed constitution that would vastly expand his powers and limit the role of parliament.
- Serena Williams continues return to action with help from Jabeur in Eastbourneby Paul Myers on June 22, 2022
Former world number one Serena Williams will continue her return to competitive action on Wednesday in a doubles match at the Eastbourne International with partner Ons Jabeur against Shuko Aoyama and Hao-Ching Chan.
- Jabeur takes Berlin Open to reach career high of world number threeby Paul Myers on June 20, 2022
Ons Jabeur was on Monday installed as world number three following her win on Sunday at the Berlin Open.
- Tunisia's President purges 57 judges, tightening grip on judiciaryby David Coffey with RFI on June 2, 2022
Tunisia's President has sacked 57 judges, accusing them of corruption and protecting terrorists in a purge of the judiciary that comes as he seeks to remake the political system after consolidating his one-man rule.
- At least 75 missing, one dead, in migrant boat sinking off Tunisiaby RFI on May 26, 2022
Dozens of people are feared dead after a boat carrying more than 100 people sank on Wednesday off the coast of Tunisia. The International Organisation for Migration (OIM) says there is an increase in the number of people crossing the Mediterranean to get to Europe.
- Wawrinka rediscovers panache to win first match since 2021 at the Italian Openby Paul Myers on May 9, 2022
Former French Open champion Stan Wawrinka registered his win on the senior circuit for 15 months when he beat the 14th seed Reilly Opelka 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 on Monday at the Italian Open in Rome.
