Jendouba Governorate ( ; ) is one of the twenty-four governorates of Tunisia. It is predominantly in the high hills of the Tell Atlas in north-western Tunisia, bordering Algeria and the Mediterranean Sea. It covers an area of 3102 km2 and has a population of 401,477 (2014 census). The capital is Jendouba.

Geography

The governorate of Jendouba is located in the northwest of Tunisia, 150 km from the capital. It is bordered by the governorates of Kef and Siliana in the south, the governorate of Béja in the east, and it is 135 km away from the border with Algeria in the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north, with a 25 km long coastline.

Administrative divisions

The governorate is divided into nine delegations (mutamadiyat), listed below with their populations at the 2004 and 2014 Censuses:

Climate

Jendouba is known for having the rainiest climate in the country, with annual precipitation reaching 1000 mm on the coast and exceeding 1500 mm in Aïn Draham. The average temperature is between 5-10 C in winter and between 25–30 C in summer.

Economy

The economy is mainly based on agriculture and livestock farming. The area of arable land is 286200 ha, accounting for 92% of the total area of the governorate and nearly 3.4% of the country's arable land, as of 2009. The governorate of Jendouba contributes a significant share in the national production of strategic food products with 12 to 13.4% of cereal production, 26% of vegetables, 12 to 13.4% of milk and 16% of potatoes and 6 to 9% red meat, as of 2009. At the same year, it produced 35 to 51% of national wood production, 94% of cork and 29% of tobacco. However, in subsequent years some crops had a significant production decrease, such as the tobacco production that decreased to one-third in 2019 from 2011.

Infrastructure

The governorate has a railway line connecting the capital to Algeria through the towns of Bousalem, Jendouba and Ghardimaou to Tunis, over 75.6 km

Tourism

The region has a golf course and a marina. It offers cultural tourism focused on a diverse archaeological heritage, such as Bulla Regia and Chemtou, and annual festivals such as the Tabarka Jazz Festival. Other attraction destinations include El Feidja National Park.

Education

The governorate of Jendouba has 31 middle schools and 18 high schools. There is a tourism school in Aïn Draham and a health care school in Jendouba. University of Jendouba consists of a faculty, seven institutes, and five affiliated institutions.

Politics

A list of Governors of Jendouba since the independence:

Notable people