Tunisian Islands: A Natural System and Civilizational Space

Despite their limited size compared to the country’s total area, Tunisian islands represent a vital element in national geography and culture. They are vibrant spaces that hold in their landscapes and collective memory lessons in the interaction between humans and the environment, narrating the major transformations witnessed by the Mediterranean coasts throughout history.

With more than sixty islands, Tunisia displays remarkable natural and geographical diversity. From sandy, semi-arid Djerba, to fragile limestone Kerkennah, and volcanic Galite, the islands vary in size, formation, and ecological importance. This diversity stems from multiple geological factors: volcanic activity (Galite), limestone deposits (Kerkennah, Zembra), and marine sand accumulation (Djerba’s Ras Rmel). Such contrasts make the islands natural laboratories for understanding Mediterranean coastal evolution and human–nature relations.

Human settlement dates back to antiquity, as excavations in Djerba revealed Punic and Roman sites, highlighting their role in trade and cultural networks. Island communities developed adaptive lifestyles, seen in sustainable fishing techniques like zarbia and drina, and in white-domed houses designed to resist heat and humidity. These practices reflect a deep coexistence with the sea.

Ecologically, some islands are unique reserves. Zembra has been a protected area since 1977, hosting rare seabirds like the White-eyed Gull and Eleonora’s Falcon, along with endemic plants. The Church Islands near Kerkennah serve as migratory bird havens. Such ecological richness underscores the need for preservation.

Historically, the islands were active trade hubs in Phoenician and Roman times, and defensive outposts under the Ottomans. Djerba, in particular, embodies religious and cultural diversity. Each island stands as an open book documenting political and cultural transformations.

Today, climate change, rising sea levels, coastal erosion (notably in Djerba), overfishing, and pollution threaten these fragile ecosystems. Yet, Tunisian islands remain living archives of national memory and laboratories for sustainable solutions. They can evolve from endangered spaces into centers of ecological and cultural radiance, where the sea is not a barrier but a bridge between memory and life.