Tunis Tunis Thimphu Category="Capitals in Africa"Category="Cities in Tunisia"Category="Coastal cities"Category="World Heritage Sites in Tunisia"[image]

Tunis (تونس, Tūnis) is the Capital of Tunisia, with a population of 699,700 in 2003. 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 French Gate, formerly the Sea Gate, 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, above all, the capital where a 10th 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.

Geography

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.

Tunis is located at 36°50′ N 10°9′ E ( 36.8333° N 10.15° E).

History

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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 or Numidians. In the 9th century BCE, the city was taken over by Phoenicians from Carthage. However, from about 800 BCE the city was dominated by its nearby neighbour, Carthage. In 146 CE, the Romans destroyed Tunis (along with Carthage) but was rebuilt and became an important town under Roman control.

Arab 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 begun to be built. Many ancient buildings are still standing in the Old City, including the Aghlabid Ez-Zitouna Mosque which was built in the 9th century to celebrate their new capital. For this reason it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From the 12th century to the 16th century, the old city was controlled by the Almohads and the Hafsids. At the time, it was one of the richest and grandest cities in the Islamic world, with a population of about 100,000.

Turkish rule and piracy

Tunis became the capital of Tunisia under the Hafsid dynasty, and was a leading center of trade with Europe. The Turks took the city in 1534. However, the former Sultan, Mulai-Hassan, fled to the court of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. Charles agreed to reinstate Mulai-Hassan in exchange for an acceptance of Charles's suzerainty by Mulai-Hassan and a navel expedition was dispatched in 1535. This quickly captured Tunis and the resulting protectorate lasted until the Turks retook it in 1574. After 1591, the Turkish governors (Beys) were virtually independent, and the city prospered as a center of piracy and trade.

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. During World War II, Tunis was held by Axis forces from November, 1942, to May, 1943, and was their last base in Africa.

Modern history

The Arab League was headquartered in Tunis from 1979 to 1990. The Palestinian Liberation Organization also had its headquarters in Tunis, from 1982 to 1993. In 1985, the PLO's headquarters was bombed by the Israeli Air Force, killing more than 60 people.

Landmarks

Economy

Products include textiles, carpets, and Olive oil. Tourism is an important source of the city's income.

Transportation

Tunis is served by the Tunis-Carthage International Airport.

Miscellaneous topics

Tunis is the site of the University of Tunis.

See also

External links