Introduction
The capital and largest city of Tunisia, Tunis has a history that dates to ancient times. The site of the ancient city of Carthage, now a residential suburb, lies to the northeast. Modern Tunis is an industrial and a cultural center.
Tunis is located in northeastern Tunisia. It lies on the western coast of the Lake of Tunis, an inlet of the Gulf of Tunis. This gulf separates the city from the Mediterranean Sea.
Places of interest
The old section of Tunis slopes down from the Kasbah, a fort. The old city is known for its markets and its narrow, often covered streets. Tunis also has many modern apartments and spacious, tree-lined boulevards. The University of Tunis was founded in 1960.
One of the chief attractions of Tunis is its thermal baths, which date from the time that the city was part of the Roman Empire. There are also several centuries-old mosques. Southeast of the city are the remains of a magnificent aqueduct built by the Romans.
Economy
Agriculture has always been important in the economy of Tunis. The main crops of the area include olives and cereals, and the city has plants that process olive oil and other foodstuffs. The city is the center of manufacturing in Tunisia. Factories turn out textiles, clothing, carpets, cement, and many other products. Tourism is another major source of income. Two international airports are located northeast of the city.
History
Tunis was founded by the Libyans. In the 9th century BC the Libyans surrendered the nearby site of Carthage to the Phoenicians. In the second century BC Rome destroyed Carthage and Tunis. The rebuilt city rose to prominence after Arabs captured it in the 7th century AD. Tunis passed to the Ottoman Turks in 1574. In 1881 the city came under the control of France. It became the capital of Tunisia when the country gained independence from France in 1956. Population (1994 estimate), 674,100.
