| |
Continent | Africa |
---|---|
Region | Northern Africa |
Coordinates | 34°00′N9°00′E / 34.000°N 9.000°E |
Area | Ranked 93rd |
• Total | 163,610 km2 (63,170 sq mi) |
• Land | 95% |
• Water | 5% |
Coastline | 1,148 km (713 mi) |
Borders | Total land borders: 1,424 km Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km |
Highest point | Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m |
Lowest point | Chott el Djerid -17 m |
Longest river | Medjerda River 450 km |
Tunisia is a country in Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, having a western border with Algeria (965 km) and south-eastern border with Libya (459 km) where the width of land tapers to the south-west into the Sahara. The country has north, east and complex east-to-north coasts including the curved Gulf of Gabès, which forms the western part of Africa's Gulf of Sidra. Most of this greater gulf forms the main coast of Libya including the city of Sirte which shares its root name. The country's geographic coordinates are 34°00′N9°00′E / 34.000°N 9.000°E . Tunisia occupies an area of 163,610 square kilometres, of which 8,250 are water. The principal and reliable rivers rise in the north of the country with a few notable exceptions from north-east Algeria and flow through the northern plain where sufficient rainfall supports diverse plant cover and irrigated agriculture.
Tunisia is on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, midway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Nile Delta. It is bordered by Algeria on the west and Libya on the south east. It lies between latitudes 30° and 38°N, and longitudes 7° and 12°E. An abrupt southward turn of the Mediterranean coast in northern Tunisia gives the country two distinctive Mediterranean coasts, west–east in the north, and north–south in the east
Tunisia is about the size of the American state of Wisconsin. Despite its relatively small size, Tunisia has great environmental diversity due to its north–south extent. Its east–west extent is limited. Differences in Tunisia, like the rest of the Maghreb, are largely north–south environmental differences defined by sharply decreasing rainfall southward from any point.
The Dorsal, the eastern extension of the Saharan Atlas Mountains, runs across Tunisia in a northeasterly direction from the Algerian border in the west to the Cape Bon peninsula in the east. North of the Dorsal is the Tell, a region characterized by low, rolling hills and plains, again an extension of mountains to the west in Algeria. In the Khroumerie, the northwestern corner of the Tunisian Tell, elevations reach 1,050 meters (3,440 feet) and snow occurs in winter. The Sahel, a broadening coastal plain along Tunisia's eastern Mediterranean coast, is among the world's premier areas of olive cultivation. Inland from the Sahel, between the Dorsal and a range of hills south of Gafsa, are the steppes. Much of the southern region is desert. Tunisia has a coastline 1,148 kilometres (713 miles) long. In maritime terms, the country claims a contiguous zone of 24 nautical miles (44 kilometres; 28 miles), and a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles (22 kilometres; 14 miles).
The Medjerda River rises in Algeria and flows east through the third of the country with reliable rivers, the north. It empties into the Gulf of Tunis and Lake of Tunis. At 450 km (280 mi) it is the longest river. It is also known as the wādi (or oued) Majardah and Wadi Mejerha and it was known as Bagrada in ancient times. It rises in a further section of the Tell Atlas in Algeria, staying to the south of the Tell escarpment while within the country. It has been dammed at the Sidi Salem Dam. [1] The Oued Zouara rises in the country's own section of the Tell. It has been dammed by the Sidi el Barrak Dam which forms a large lake widely used across the north and centre of the country in an advanced water management project.
Tunisia's climate is hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csa) in the north, where winters are mild with moderate rainfall and summers are hot and dry. Temperatures in July and August can exceed 40 °C (104 °F) when the tropical continental air mass of the desert reaches the whole Tunisia. Winters are mild with temperatures rarely exceeding 20 °C (68 °F) (exception is the south-west of the country). The south of the country is desert. The terrain in the north is mountainous, which, moving south, gives way to a hot, dry central plain. As we go to the south, the climate naturally becomes hotter, drier and sunnier. The southern part has therefore a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh) with extremely hot summers, warm winters and very low annual rainfall amount. Daytime temperatures consistently turn around 45 °C (113 °F) during summers. However, the warmth of winters is only during daytime because nights can be cold in the desert. A series of salt lakes, known as chottzz or shatts, lie in an east–west line at the northern edge of the Sahara Desert, extending from the Gulf of Gabes into Algeria. The lowest point is Chott el Djerid, at −17 m (−55.8 ft), and the highest is Jebel ech Chambi, at 1,544 metres (5,066 ft). Annual average rainfall amount is lower than 500 mm (20 in) nearly everywhere in Tunisia. Tunisia is therefore a dry, semi-arid country. Areas with a pre-Saharan climate receive below 250 mm (9.8 in) and areas with a typical Saharan climate receive below 100 mm (3.9 in) of annual average precipitation. The southernmost part receives rainfall as low as 50 mm (2.0 in) in areas around El Borma, along the Algerian border.
Climate data for Tunis (Tunis–Carthage International Airport) 1981–2010, extremes 1943–present | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 25.1 (77.2) | 28.5 (83.3) | 36.5 (97.7) | 33.1 (91.6) | 41.4 (106.5) | 47.0 (116.6) | 47.4 (117.3) | 48.9 (120.0) | 44.4 (111.9) | 40.0 (104.0) | 30.5 (86.9) | 29.6 (85.3) | 48.9 (120.0) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 16.1 (61.0) | 16.8 (62.2) | 19.0 (66.2) | 21.7 (71.1) | 26.1 (79.0) | 30.6 (87.1) | 33.8 (92.8) | 34.1 (93.4) | 30.4 (86.7) | 26.5 (79.7) | 21.2 (70.2) | 17.3 (63.1) | 24.5 (76.0) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 11.6 (52.9) | 11.9 (53.4) | 13.8 (56.8) | 16.2 (61.2) | 20.2 (68.4) | 24.3 (75.7) | 27.2 (81.0) | 27.7 (81.9) | 24.7 (76.5) | 21.1 (70.0) | 16.3 (61.3) | 12.8 (55.0) | 19.0 (66.2) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 7.6 (45.7) | 7.7 (45.9) | 9.2 (48.6) | 11.4 (52.5) | 14.8 (58.6) | 18.6 (65.5) | 21.3 (70.3) | 22.2 (72.0) | 20.1 (68.2) | 16.8 (62.2) | 12.2 (54.0) | 8.9 (48.0) | 14.2 (57.6) |
Record low °C (°F) | −2.0 (28.4) | −1.1 (30.0) | 1.0 (33.8) | 1.7 (35.1) | 6.0 (42.8) | 10.0 (50.0) | 13.0 (55.4) | 11.7 (53.1) | 12.0 (53.6) | 6.0 (42.8) | 0.8 (33.4) | 0.0 (32.0) | −2.0 (28.4) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 63.1 (2.48) | 49.2 (1.94) | 39.2 (1.54) | 38.5 (1.52) | 23.6 (0.93) | 12.9 (0.51) | 4.0 (0.16) | 7.1 (0.28) | 56.3 (2.22) | 47.7 (1.88) | 54.8 (2.16) | 75.2 (2.96) | 471.6 (18.58) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 8.6 | 8.1 | 8.0 | 5.5 | 3.1 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 6.1 | 5.9 | 8.1 | 60.5 |
Average relative humidity (%) | 76 | 74 | 73 | 71 | 68 | 64 | 62 | 64 | 68 | 72 | 74 | 77 | 70 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 145.7 | 159.6 | 198.4 | 225.0 | 282.1 | 309.0 | 356.5 | 328.6 | 258.0 | 217.0 | 174.0 | 148.8 | 2,802.7 |
Mean daily sunshine hours | 4.7 | 5.7 | 6.4 | 7.5 | 9.1 | 10.3 | 11.5 | 10.6 | 8.6 | 7.0 | 5.8 | 4.8 | 7.7 |
Source 1: Institut National de la Météorologie (precipitation days/humidity/sun 1961–1990) [2] [3] [4] [note 1] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: NOAA (precipitation days/humidity/sun 1961–1990), [6] Meteo Climat (record highs and lows) [7] |
Climate data for Bizerte (1981–2010, extremes 1901–2021) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 27.0 (80.6) | 27.2 (81.0) | 33.5 (92.3) | 34.2 (93.6) | 40.4 (104.7) | 46.0 (114.8) | 46.6 (115.9) | 48.9 (120.0) | 45.0 (113.0) | 40.5 (104.9) | 34.0 (93.2) | 27.2 (81.0) | 48.9 (120.0) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 15.6 (60.1) | 16.0 (60.8) | 18.0 (64.4) | 20.4 (68.7) | 25.0 (77.0) | 29.1 (84.4) | 32.3 (90.1) | 32.8 (91.0) | 29.6 (85.3) | 25.8 (78.4) | 20.5 (68.9) | 16.8 (62.2) | 23.5 (74.3) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 11.2 (52.2) | 11.3 (52.3) | 12.8 (55.0) | 15.1 (59.2) | 19.0 (66.2) | 23.1 (73.6) | 26.0 (78.8) | 26.6 (79.9) | 23.9 (75.0) | 20.4 (68.7) | 15.7 (60.3) | 12.5 (54.5) | 18.1 (64.6) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 7.0 (44.6) | 6.9 (44.4) | 8.1 (46.6) | 10.1 (50.2) | 13.5 (56.3) | 17.2 (63.0) | 20.1 (68.2) | 21.0 (69.8) | 19.0 (66.2) | 15.8 (60.4) | 11.4 (52.5) | 8.4 (47.1) | 13.2 (55.8) |
Record low °C (°F) | −4.2 (24.4) | −1.4 (29.5) | −0.4 (31.3) | 1.0 (33.8) | 3.1 (37.6) | 8.0 (46.4) | 8.0 (46.4) | 10.0 (50.0) | 8.9 (48.0) | 4.9 (40.8) | 0.0 (32.0) | −0.5 (31.1) | −4.2 (24.4) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 88.8 (3.50) | 73.9 (2.91) | 57.6 (2.27) | 50.6 (1.99) | 23.2 (0.91) | 10.6 (0.42) | 2.2 (0.09) | 6.8 (0.27) | 44.3 (1.74) | 61.3 (2.41) | 93.4 (3.68) | 115.2 (4.54) | 627.9 (24.73) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 11.3 | 10.3 | 9.6 | 6.5 | 3.9 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 4.0 | 7.8 | 9.5 | 11.4 | 77.6 |
Average relative humidity (%) | 83 | 80 | 78 | 78 | 75 | 70 | 68 | 69 | 75 | 78 | 83 | 83 | 77 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 142.6 | 163.9 | 217.0 | 237.0 | 303.8 | 330.0 | 384.4 | 356.5 | 267.0 | 207.7 | 153.0 | 133.3 | 2,896.2 |
Mean daily sunshine hours | 4.6 | 5.8 | 7.0 | 7.9 | 9.8 | 11.0 | 12.4 | 11.5 | 8.9 | 6.7 | 5.1 | 4.3 | 7.9 |
Source 1: Institut National de la Météorologie (precipitation days 1961–1990 and extremes 1950–2021) [8] [9] [4] [note 2] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: Deutscher Wetterdienst (extremes 1901–1992) [11] OGIMET [12] Arab Meteorology Book (humidity and sun) [13] |
Climate data for Sousse | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 27 (81) | 30 (86) | 37 (99) | 36 (97) | 43 (109) | 47 (117) | 47 (117) | 48 (118) | 42 (108) | 40 (104) | 31 (88) | 30 (86) | 48 (118) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 15.8 (60.4) | 16.3 (61.3) | 17.8 (64.0) | 20.2 (68.4) | 23.4 (74.1) | 27.1 (80.8) | 30.7 (87.3) | 31.5 (88.7) | 30.2 (86.4) | 25.6 (78.1) | 20.8 (69.4) | 16.7 (62.1) | 23.0 (73.4) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 11.4 (52.5) | 11.7 (53.1) | 13.3 (55.9) | 15.6 (60.1) | 18.7 (65.7) | 22.4 (72.3) | 25.6 (78.1) | 26.2 (79.2) | 25.0 (77.0) | 20.9 (69.6) | 16.1 (61.0) | 12.4 (54.3) | 18.3 (64.9) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 7.2 (45.0) | 7.4 (45.3) | 8.9 (48.0) | 11.0 (51.8) | 14.1 (57.4) | 17.8 (64.0) | 20.6 (69.1) | 20.9 (69.6) | 19.9 (67.8) | 16.3 (61.3) | 11.5 (52.7) | 8.1 (46.6) | 13.6 (56.6) |
Record low °C (°F) | 4.8 (40.6) | 5 (41) | 5.5 (41.9) | 5.5 (41.9) | 9 (48) | 13 (55) | 14 (57) | 16 (61) | 15 (59) | 7 (45) | 5.5 (41.9) | 4.5 (40.1) | 4.5 (40.1) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 43 (1.7) | 48 (1.9) | 35 (1.4) | 28 (1.1) | 15 (0.6) | 9 (0.4) | 2 (0.1) | 7 (0.3) | 35 (1.4) | 44 (1.7) | 35 (1.4) | 53 (2.1) | 354 (14.1) |
Average rainy days | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 59 |
Mean daily sunshine hours | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 |
Source 1: Climate-Data.org, [14] Weather2Travel for rainy days and sunshine [15] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: Voodoo Skies for record temperatures [16] |
Climate data for Sfax (1981–2010, extremes 1950–2017) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 26.8 (80.2) | 32.7 (90.9) | 36.9 (98.4) | 37.2 (99.0) | 41.3 (106.3) | 47.8 (118.0) | 47.2 (117.0) | 46.8 (116.2) | 43.5 (110.3) | 38.2 (100.8) | 34.5 (94.1) | 28.6 (83.5) | 47.8 (118.0) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 17.1 (62.8) | 18.1 (64.6) | 20.2 (68.4) | 22.5 (72.5) | 26.0 (78.8) | 29.9 (85.8) | 32.7 (90.9) | 33.2 (91.8) | 30.5 (86.9) | 27.1 (80.8) | 22.3 (72.1) | 18.2 (64.8) | 24.8 (76.7) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 11.5 (52.7) | 12.3 (54.1) | 14.6 (58.3) | 17.2 (63.0) | 20.9 (69.6) | 24.6 (76.3) | 27.3 (81.1) | 28.0 (82.4) | 25.6 (78.1) | 22.1 (71.8) | 16.8 (62.2) | 12.7 (54.9) | 19.5 (67.0) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 6.4 (43.5) | 7.0 (44.6) | 9.3 (48.7) | 12.0 (53.6) | 15.7 (60.3) | 19.2 (66.6) | 21.6 (70.9) | 22.8 (73.0) | 21.1 (70.0) | 17.6 (63.7) | 11.8 (53.2) | 7.8 (46.0) | 14.4 (57.8) |
Record low °C (°F) | −2.3 (27.9) | −1.2 (29.8) | −1.0 (30.2) | 2.0 (35.6) | 6.1 (43.0) | 10.6 (51.1) | 13.6 (56.5) | 13.2 (55.8) | 11.2 (52.2) | 5.2 (41.4) | 2.0 (35.6) | −1.0 (30.2) | −2.3 (27.9) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 30.1 (1.19) | 13.5 (0.53) | 21.8 (0.86) | 19.1 (0.75) | 13.2 (0.52) | 4.2 (0.17) | 1.2 (0.05) | 4.2 (0.17) | 24.9 (0.98) | 36.6 (1.44) | 25.1 (0.99) | 29.0 (1.14) | 222.9 (8.79) |
Average rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 3.4 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 2.8 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 3.6 | 2.8 | 2.9 | 28 |
Average relative humidity (%) | 65 | 63 | 63 | 63 | 62 | 60 | 59 | 63 | 65 | 66 | 65 | 66 | 63 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 198.4 | 201.6 | 238.7 | 258.0 | 310.0 | 333.0 | 378.2 | 347.2 | 273.0 | 241.8 | 210.0 | 195.3 | 3,185.2 |
Mean daily sunshine hours | 6.4 | 7.2 | 7.7 | 8.6 | 10.0 | 11.1 | 12.2 | 11.2 | 9.1 | 7.8 | 7.0 | 6.3 | 8.7 |
Source 1: Institut National de la Météorologie (precipitation days/humidity/sun 1961–1990) [17] [18] [19] [note 3] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: NOAA (humidity and sun 1961–1990) [21] |
Climate data for Gabès (1981–2010, extremes 1950–2021) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 29.3 (84.7) | 33.9 (93.0) | 41.0 (105.8) | 38.2 (100.8) | 43.6 (110.5) | 46.5 (115.7) | 46.7 (116.1) | 46.6 (115.9) | 44.2 (111.6) | 40.1 (104.2) | 35.0 (95.0) | 31.2 (88.2) | 46.7 (116.1) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 16.9 (62.4) | 18.4 (65.1) | 20.2 (68.4) | 22.5 (72.5) | 25.4 (77.7) | 28.3 (82.9) | 31.3 (88.3) | 32.2 (90.0) | 30.3 (86.5) | 27.3 (81.1) | 22.5 (72.5) | 18.1 (64.6) | 24.5 (76.0) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 12.1 (53.8) | 13.3 (55.9) | 15.6 (60.1) | 18.2 (64.8) | 21.6 (70.9) | 24.9 (76.8) | 27.6 (81.7) | 28.5 (83.3) | 26.6 (79.9) | 23.1 (73.6) | 17.7 (63.9) | 13.4 (56.1) | 20.2 (68.4) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 7.8 (46.0) | 8.6 (47.5) | 11.2 (52.2) | 14.2 (57.6) | 17.9 (64.2) | 21.5 (70.7) | 23.7 (74.7) | 24.7 (76.5) | 22.8 (73.0) | 18.9 (66.0) | 13.3 (55.9) | 9.2 (48.6) | 16.2 (61.1) |
Record low °C (°F) | −2.7 (27.1) | −2.0 (28.4) | 0.9 (33.6) | 4.6 (40.3) | 8.2 (46.8) | 12.0 (53.6) | 15.6 (60.1) | 16.8 (62.2) | 14.4 (57.9) | 6.8 (44.2) | 2.6 (36.7) | 0.0 (32.0) | −2.7 (27.1) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 26.3 (1.04) | 11.3 (0.44) | 15.6 (0.61) | 15.8 (0.62) | 9.1 (0.36) | 2.1 (0.08) | 0.3 (0.01) | 1.2 (0.05) | 23.8 (0.94) | 31.4 (1.24) | 23.3 (0.92) | 27.9 (1.10) | 188.1 (7.41) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 2.8 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 1.6 | 3.4 | 2.7 | 3.1 | 23.2 |
Average relative humidity (%) | 62 | 59 | 62 | 63 | 65 | 66 | 63 | 65 | 66 | 64 | 62 | 64 | 63 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 220.1 | 215.6 | 251.1 | 267.0 | 313.1 | 321.0 | 372.0 | 353.4 | 279.0 | 260.4 | 228.0 | 210.8 | 3,291.5 |
Mean daily sunshine hours | 7.1 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 8.9 | 10.1 | 10.7 | 12.0 | 11.4 | 9.3 | 8.4 | 7.6 | 6.8 | 9.0 |
Source 1: Institut National de la Météorologie (precipitation days/humidity/sun 1961–1990) [22] [23] [24] [note 4] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: NOAA (humidity and sun 1961–1990) [26] [27] |
Climate data for Kasserine (1981–2010, extremes 1950–2017) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 25.2 (77.4) | 31.5 (88.7) | 33.0 (91.4) | 34.7 (94.5) | 41.7 (107.1) | 43.4 (110.1) | 43.6 (110.5) | 42.5 (108.5) | 40.3 (104.5) | 36.0 (96.8) | 31.6 (88.9) | 26.5 (79.7) | 43.6 (110.5) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 13.7 (56.7) | 15.1 (59.2) | 18.4 (65.1) | 21.5 (70.7) | 26.8 (80.2) | 32.1 (89.8) | 35.9 (96.6) | 35.1 (95.2) | 29.7 (85.5) | 25.1 (77.2) | 18.7 (65.7) | 14.7 (58.5) | 23.9 (75.0) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 7.9 (46.2) | 8.9 (48.0) | 12.4 (54.3) | 15.6 (60.1) | 20.1 (68.2) | 24.7 (76.5) | 28.0 (82.4) | 27.3 (81.1) | 22.6 (72.7) | 18.7 (65.7) | 12.5 (54.5) | 8.9 (48.0) | 17.3 (63.1) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 2.8 (37.0) | 3.5 (38.3) | 5.8 (42.4) | 8.3 (46.9) | 12.4 (54.3) | 16.3 (61.3) | 18.9 (66.0) | 19.0 (66.2) | 16.3 (61.3) | 12.4 (54.3) | 7.2 (45.0) | 4.0 (39.2) | 10.6 (51.0) |
Record low °C (°F) | −7.0 (19.4) | −6.0 (21.2) | −3.0 (26.6) | 0.0 (32.0) | 3.2 (37.8) | 8.0 (46.4) | 10.5 (50.9) | 12.0 (53.6) | 5.8 (42.4) | 0.5 (32.9) | −3.1 (26.4) | −6.5 (20.3) | −7.0 (19.4) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 27.7 (1.09) | 14.5 (0.57) | 19.0 (0.75) | 29.6 (1.17) | 30.2 (1.19) | 21.4 (0.84) | 13.6 (0.54) | 29.7 (1.17) | 40.1 (1.58) | 21.3 (0.84) | 24.7 (0.97) | 16.7 (0.66) | 288.5 (11.37) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 2.9 | 2.2 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 3.6 | 4.7 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 2.3 | 40.1 |
Source: Institut National de la Météorologie (precipitation days 1961–1990) [28] [29] [4] [note 5] |
Climate data for Kebili (1901–1953) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 26.1 (79.0) | 33.9 (93.0) | 38.9 (102.0) | 43.9 (111.0) | 46.1 (115.0) | 53.9 (129.0) | 55.0 (131.0) | 53.9 (129.0) | 51.1 (124.0) | 45.0 (113.0) | 37.2 (99.0) | 27.8 (82.0) | 55.0 (131.0) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 15.6 (60.1) | 18.9 (66.0) | 23.3 (73.9) | 28.9 (84.0) | 32.8 (91.0) | 38.3 (100.9) | 42.2 (108.0) | 41.7 (107.1) | 37.2 (99.0) | 30.0 (86.0) | 22.2 (72.0) | 16.1 (61.0) | 28.9 (84.0) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 9.4 (48.9) | 11.9 (53.4) | 15.8 (60.4) | 20.3 (68.5) | 24.2 (75.6) | 28.9 (84.0) | 31.9 (89.4) | 31.9 (89.4) | 28.9 (84.0) | 22.8 (73.0) | 15.6 (60.1) | 10.3 (50.5) | 21.0 (69.8) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 3.3 (37.9) | 5.0 (41.0) | 8.3 (46.9) | 11.7 (53.1) | 15.6 (60.1) | 19.4 (66.9) | 21.7 (71.1) | 22.2 (72.0) | 20.6 (69.1) | 15.6 (60.1) | 8.9 (48.0) | 4.4 (39.9) | 13.1 (55.6) |
Record low °C (°F) | −6.1 (21.0) | −6.1 (21.0) | −3.9 (25.0) | 0.0 (32.0) | 6.1 (43.0) | 12.2 (54.0) | 13.9 (57.0) | 11.1 (52.0) | 7.8 (46.0) | 1.1 (34.0) | −5.0 (23.0) | −7.2 (19.0) | −7.2 (19.0) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 13 (0.5) | 8 (0.3) | 15 (0.6) | 8 (0.3) | 5 (0.2) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 5 (0.2) | 8 (0.3) | 15 (0.6) | 10 (0.4) | 86 (3.4) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 29 |
Source: Deutscher Wetterdienst [31] |
Tunisia possesses petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt, gold and arable land. 3,850 km2 of land is irrigated in Tunisia. The use of land in the country is demonstrated in the following table.
Use | Percentage of Area (2011) |
---|---|
arable land | 17.35% |
permanent crops | 14.63% |
other | 68.02% |
Current environmental issues for Tunisia include:
Tunisia is a party to the following international agreements: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution (MARPOL 73/78) and Wetlands. Tunisia has signed, but not ratified the Marine Life Conservation agreement.
Tunisia, like other North African countries, has lost much of its prehistoric biodiversity due to the ongoing expanding human population; for example, until historic times there was a population of the endangered primate Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus). [32] The monk seal is now extirpated (locally extinct). [33]
This is a list of the extreme points of Tunisia, the points that are farther north, south, east or west than any other
Bizerte is a city of Bizerte Governorate in Tunisia. It is the northernmost city in Africa, located 65 km (40 mi) north of the capital Tunis. It is also known as the last town to remain under French control after the rest of the country won its independence from France. The city had 162,053 inhabitants in 2014.
Monastir, also called Mestir, is a city on the central coast of Tunisia, in the Sahel area, some 20 kilometres south of Sousse and 162 kilometres south of Tunis. Traditionally a fishing port, Monastir is now a major tourist resort. Its population is about 93,306. It is the capital of Monastir Governorate.
Gabès, also spelled Cabès, Cabes, Kabes, Gabbs and Gaps, is the capital city of the Gabès Governorate in Tunisia. It is located on the coast of the Gulf of Gabès. With a population of 167,863, Gabès is the 6th largest Tunisian city. Gabes is 327 km away from Tunis and 113 km away from Sfax.
Béja is a city in Tunisia. It is the capital of the Béja Governorate. It is located 105 kilometers (65 mi) from Tunis, between the Medjerdah River and the Mediterranean, against the foothills of the Khroumire, the town of Béja is situated on the sides of Djebel Acheb, facing the greening meadows, its white terraces and red roofs dominated by the imposing ruins of the old Roman fortress.
Gafsa is the capital of Gafsa Governorate of Tunisia. With a population of 120,739, Gafsa is the ninth-largest Tunisian city and it is 335 kilometers from the capital Tunis.
Zaghouan is a town in the northern half of Tunisia.
Sfax is a city in Tunisia, located 270 km (170 mi) southeast of Tunis. The city, founded in AD 849 on the ruins of Berber Taparura, is the capital of the Sfax Governorate, and a Mediterranean port. Sfax has a population of 341,999. Its main industries include phosphate, olive and nut processing, fishing and international trade. The city is the second-most populous in the country after the capital, Tunis.
Medenine is the major town in south-eastern Tunisia, 77 kilometres (48 mi) south of the port of Gabès and the Island of Djerba, on the main route to Libya. It is the capital of Medenine Governorate.
Jendouba is a city in northwestern Tunisia, and capital of the Jendouba Governorate. It is an important crossroads with many road links to other towns such as El Kef, Tabarka, Ain Draham and Béja. The main economic activity is agriculture. It is close to the famous ancient Roman city of Bullaregia or Bulla Regia, as well as the ancient marble quarry of Chemtou. The city's name is derived from Amazigh with the exact translation being “land of grain.”
Nabeul is a coastal town located in northeastern Tunisia, on the south coast of the Cape Bon peninsula and surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea on both sides. It is the first seaside resort in Tunisia. It is known for its agricultural riches and its tourism potential. The city had a population of 84,291 as of the 2022 census.
El Kef, also known as Le Kef, is a city in northwestern Tunisia. It serves as the capital of the Kef Governorate.
Kelibia (Kélibia), often referred to as Klibia or Gallipia by European writers, is a coastal town on the Cap Bon peninsula, Nabeul Governorate in the far north-eastern part of Tunisia. Its sand beaches are considered some of the finest in the Mediterranean.
Remada is a municipality in Tunisia, close to the border with Libya. It is located at around 32°18′22″N10°22′56″E. Remada was built as a garrison town by the French and is today home to a Tunisian military base.
Kebili is a town in the south of Tunisia and one of the main cities in the Nefzaoua region. It is located in southern Tunisia near the Chott el Djerid salt lake. It is the capital of the Kebili Governorate.
Sidi Bouzid, sometimes called Sidi Bou Zid or Sīdī Bū Zayd, is a city in Tunisia and is the capital of Sidi Bouzid Governorate in the centre of the country. Following the suicide of Mohamed Bouazizi in Sidi Bouzid, it was the site of the first clashes of the Tunisian Revolution and a catalyst for other protests in the region, often known as the Arab Spring.
Siliana is a modern farming town in northern Tunisia. It is located at around 36°4′55″N9°22′29″E, 130 km south-west of the capital Tunis. It is the capital of the Siliana Governorate. It is located 4 miles away from Jama where the Battle of Zama occurred.
Menzel Bourguiba, formerly known as Ferryville, is a town located in the extreme north of Tunisia, about 60 kilometres (37 mi) from Tunis, in the Bizerte Governorate.
Thala is a town and commune in Tunisia. It is located in the Kasserine Governorate since 1956. As of the 2004 census it had 13,968 inhabitants. The altitude of Thala is 1,017 metres (3,337 ft), which makes it the highest and the coldest town in the country.
Borj El Amri or Bordj El Amri is a town in the Manouba Governorate of Tunisia. It is located 30 kilometres (19 mi) southwest of Tunis.
El Borma is a town and commune, which is coextensive with El Borma District, in Algeria. According to the 2008 census it has a population of 3,250, up from 1,997 in 1998 and an annual population growth rate of 4.9%, the second highest in the province. The town is located on the border with Tataouine Governorate, Tunisia.