Tunisia is a North African Mediterranean country, the smallest of the Maghreb states, with the ancient ruins of Carthage, Saharan oases and a 2011 revolution that triggered the Arab Spring.
Geography & landscape
Tunisia sits in Northern Africa, in the northern hemisphere of Africa. With an area of approximately 163,610 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the sub-tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Tunis, lies near coordinates 34°, 9°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Africa, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Northern Africa region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Tunisia.
People & society
The population of Tunisia is around 12M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Arabic, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Tunisia is structured as a presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Tunis, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Tunisia is the Tunisian Dinar (TND). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Tunis and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Tunisia shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Tunisia through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Tunis, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +216, and clocks are set to the CET (UTC+1) time zone. ISO standards identify Tunisia as TN (alpha-2) and TUN (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇹🇳, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Tunis | — |
| Continent | Africa | — |
| Sub-region | Northern Africa | — |
| Population | 12M | people |
| Area | 163,610 | km² |
| Currency | Tunisian Dinar (TND) | — |
| Calling code | +216 | international dialling |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | standard time |
| Government type | Presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | TN | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | TUN | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 34 | degrees |
| Longitude | 9 | degrees |
Did you know?
The 2011 Tunisian Revolution sparked the wider Arab Spring uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa.
