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Tunis is the capital of Tunisia and also the Tunis Governorate, with a population of 699,700 in 2003. Informal estimates state that the population of greater Tunis approaches two million. Situated at the end of a large gulf (the Gulf of Tunis), linked to it ... more »
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Airports Tunis is the capital of Tunisia and also the Tunis Governorate, with a population of 699,700 in 2003. Informal estimates state that the population of greater Tunis approaches two million.
Situated at the end of a large gulf (the Gulf of Tunis), linked to it by the Lake of Tunis and a canal to the port of La Goulette (Halq al Wadi), the city extends along the coastal plain and the hills that surround it. From the centre of the city, to the east is the silhouette of the medina and to the north is the suburb of Belvedere.
The medina is the centre of the city: a dense agglomeration of alleys and covered passages, full of intense scents and colours, boisterous and active trade, a surfeit of goods on offer ranging from leather to plastic, tin to the finest filigree, tourist souvenirs to the works of tiny crafts-shops.
Just through the Sea Gate (also known as the Bab el Bahr and the Porte de France), begins the modern city, Ville Nouvelle, bisected by the grand avenue Bourguiba, where the colonial-era buildings provide a vivid contrast. The city of Tunis is the capital city of the country in all respects, where one-tenth of the population of the country live and work, and where a large part of business activity is focused, in addition to all of the political and administrative functions. The expansion of the Tunisian economy in the last decades is reflected in the unplanned development of the outer city where one can see clearly the social contradictions and the problems of modern Tunisia.
Tunis is located in north-eastern Tunisia on the Lake of Tunis, and is connected to the Mediterranean sea's Gulf of Tunis by a canal which terminates at the port of La Goulette / Halq al Wadi. The historical city of Carthage is located across from the center of modern Tunis.
Products include textiles, carpets, and olive oil. Tourism is an important source of the city's income.
Early history Tunis is a city with a long history. In the 2nd millennium BCE a town, originally named Tunes, was founded by Libyans and also over time occupied by Berbers and Numidians. In the 9th century BCE, the city was taken over by Phoenicians from Carthage. The Berbers took control of Tunis in 395 BCE but it was soon lost when Agathocles invaded Africa and established his headquarters there. When Agathocles left Africa, the Carthaginians took control of the city once again.
In 146 CE, the Romans destroyed Tunis (along with Carthage). However, the city was subsequently rebuilt and became an important town under Roman control.
Islamic Control It wasn't until the 7th century, after the final destruction of Carthage, that the city achieved its own importance under the control of Arab Muslims. It was at this time that the medina of Tunis was first built.
From the 12th century to the 16th century, the old city was controlled by the Almohad and the Hafsids Berbers dynasties. During this time, Tunis was one of the richest and grandest cities in the Islamic world, with a population of about 100,000.
Turkish rule and piracy The Turks took nominal control of the city in 1534. However, the former Sultan, Mulai-Hassan, fled to the court of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. Charles, who suffered at the hands of the corsairs, agreed to reinstate Mulai-Hassan in exchange for an acceptance of Charles's suzerainty by Mulai-Hassan. A naval expedition led by Charles himself was dispatched in 1535. The city was quickly recaptured; the victory against the pirates is recorded in a tapestry at the Royal Palace of Madrid. The resulting protectorate lasted until the Turks retook Tunis in 1574. After 1591, the Turkish governors (Beys) were virtually independent and piracy and trade continued to flourish.
In April 1655 English Admiral Robert Blake was sent to the Mediterranean to extract compensation from states that had been attacking English shipping. Only the Bey of Tunis refused to comply, with the result that Blake's 15 ships attacked the Bey's arsenal at Porto Farina (Ghar el Melh), destroying 9 Algerian ships and 2 shore batteries, the first time in naval warfare that shore batteries had been taken out without landing men ashore.
European colonialism The French occupied the city from 1881 to 1956 having established a protectorate over the country. During World War II, Tunis was held by Axis forces from November 1942 to May 1943, and was their last base in Africa.
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Distances are calculated as the crow flies, and are provided as an aid in planning only.
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It uses material from the Source wikipedia.
