ABSTRACT
The physical environment of Tunisia provides the canvas or backcloth on which continuity and change in a marginal zone are painted. It is particularly the extremes produced by the physical environment that craft the landscape and give a distinctive character to the human geography of the country. This chapter describes the physical environment of Tunisia, including its topography, climate, water, soils and vegetation. It reviews the implications of the physical environment of Tunisia for the Sahel zone. Some of the extreme weather events in Tunisia are caused by low pressure cells migrating through the Mediterranean region. Because of Tunisia's climatic marginality water is an important policy issue for the government. Tunisia has a range of institutions in charge of the environment. During the summer months of May to October Tunisia falls under the descending limb of the Hadley cell, producing stable weather with clear blue skies, high daytime temperatures and low rainfall.
