Jendouba Governorate (, ; ), known before 1966 as Souk El Arba Governorate, is one of the 24 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 and has a population of 401,477 (2014 census). The capital is Jendouba. The economy of the Jendouba governorate is primarily based on cereal farming, livestock, market gardening, and tree cultivation. The agricultural land area covers 286,200 hectares, representing 92% of the governorate's total area and nearly 3.4% of the country's agricultural area. Forests cover 118,470 hectares.
The governorate of Jendouba is located in the northwest of Tunisia, 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 away from the border with Algeria in the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north, with a long coastline.
The governorate is divided into nine delegations (mutamadiyat), listed below with their populations at the 2004 and 2014 Censuses:
Jendouba is known for having the rainiest climate in the country, with annual precipitation reaching on the coast and exceeding in Aïn Draham. The average temperature is between in winter and between in summer.
The economy is mainly based on agriculture and livestock farming. The area of arable land is , 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.
The governorate has a railway line connecting the capital to Algeria through the towns of Bousalem, Jendouba and Ghardimaou to Tunis, over . The governorate's airport is TabarkaâÂÂAïn Draham International Airport.
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.
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. The University of Jendouba consists of a faculty, seven institutes, and five affiliated institutions.
A list of Governors of Jendouba since the independence: