ABSTRACT
Tunisia is bordered on the southeast by Libya, on the southwest by Algeria, and on the north and west by (the Mediterranean Pelagian) Sea (Fig. 16.1). It has a surface area of 163,610 km2 and a population of about 10.5 millions (2009 estimates). Northern Tunisia forms part of the Alpine Chain (the Maghrebides ) of the Western Mediterranean and is occupied by the easternmost extension of the Atlas Mountain Chain, including the Tell and the Dorsale domains. The highest point in Tunisia is at Jebel ech Chambe at 1544 m (5066 ft) in the Tell Domain. The Mejerda River (Wadi Majardah) is the largest and only permanent river in Tunisia. It originates in Northern Algeria and runs eastward for about 450 miles (720 km) in Tunisia before it empties in the Gulf of Tunis (Gulf of Utica). Phosphate deposits, with reserves of about 1 billion tons and an average annual production of 8 million tons constitute 5.2% of world’s supply. Phosphate based fertilizers are the main contributions to the world mineral market (Tunisia Mineral Book, 2007). Tunisia produced 12 Mt of phosphates from 7 open pit quarries and one underground mine in 2007. The main mines are located at Metlaoui, Kef Eschfair, Jallabia, Kef Eddour, Redeyef, Moulares, and Mhdilla (Ben Charrada, 2004) (Fig. 16.1). The phosphate is being mined by the Compagnie des Phosphates de Gafsa (CPG). Tunisia is also a minor producer of oil and gas. Proven reserves are estimated at 425 million barrels of oil and 2.3 TCF of gas (eia, 2010). Daily production was about 95,000 bopd in 2010 (ETAP), coming mostly from the Gulf of Gabes and Southern Tunisia.
