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City of Tunis
مدينة
تونس
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Tunis Panorama
The straight, wide streets of the European
section of Tunis, shown here, are a contrast to
the winding and narrow streets of the older,
walled Muslim quarter. The Muslim quarter shows
the influence of the Arabs, under whose control
Tunis flourished for 12 centuries, while French
rule from 1881 to 1956 is exhibited in the
architecture of the European section.
Paul Stepan-Vierow/Photo Researchers, Inc. |
Tunis
(ancient Tunes),
city, port, and capital of
Tunisia,
on the Lake of
Tunis,
northeastern
Tunisia.
The city is served
by a nearby international airport and is connected by rail
with other northern African ports. A commercial and
industrial center, Tunis has plants producing chemicals,
processed foods, and textiles; distilleries are also here. A
ship channel connects the city with the Mediterranean Sea.
The chief exports include carpets, fruit, iron ore, and
olives. The city, which occupies an elevated isthmus, is
divided into two parts: the old, walled, Muslim quarter and
the newer European quarter. The streets of the older section
are narrow and winding, with many well-furnished bazaars and
splendid mosques. The Muslim quarter also contains the
palace of the bey, or native ruler, which now houses a
museum of arts and antiquities; and the Mosque of the Olive
Tree (ad
732), which served as an Islamic university. The
city is also the
site of the University of
Tunis
(1960). Nearby are ruins of the ancient
city of Carthage.
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Ruins of Carthage
Founded by the Phoenicians in the 800s
bc,
Carthage became the center of an empire that
controlled most of the North African coast,
parts of what is now Spain, and several
important Mediterranean islands. Ruins of the
ancient city lie near Tunis, Tunisia.
Juliet Highet/Hutchison Library |
Tunis
was probably founded as a Phoenician settlement in the 6th
century
bc
but was overshadowed by neighboring Carthage in ancient
times. With
Carthage,
it was conquered by the Romans in 146
bc.
A revived Tunis flourished after the Arabs took control
during the 7th century
ad
and was especially prominent under the Hafsid dynasty
(1228-1574). Pirating and trading assured the
city's continued
prosperity during the 17th and 18th centuries. The modern
city of
Tunis
was built while
Tunisia
was under French rule (1881-1956). During that period the
population increased dramatically as thousands of Europeans
and Muslims were drawn to the area by growing commercial and
industrial facilities. When
Tunisia
won its independence,
Tunis
became its capital, and living conditions in the
city were improved
by an urban redevelopment program. Population (1995
estimate) 674,100.
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