Tunis (تونس), Tunisia

Panoramic view of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vue_de_Tunis.jpg
Author: Rais67


Tunis (Arabic: تونس) is the capital and biggest city in Tunisia. Located on the Gulf of Tunis, it covers 212.63 sq km (82.10 sq mi) and has a population of 730,000 people (2012 estimate), within a metropolitan area of 2.45 million inhabitants.

As with many of the cities on the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Tunis traces its history to antiquity. This was where the ancient city of Carthage was located, though Tunis was a separate nearby town named Tunes, established as early as the 2nd millennium BC. Both Carthage and ancient Tunes were destroyed by the Romans at the end of the Third Punic War (149 BC - 146 BC). It was rebuilt by Roman Emperor Augustus, and served as an agricultural center for the Romans.

Tunis Central Market
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tunis_March%C3%A9_Central.jpg
Author: Rais67


The significance of Tunis was eclipsed by Carthage until the 7th century, when it came onto its own, buoyed by the arrival of Arab Muslim rule. The Islamization of the city saw the development of its medina, today within the oldest part of the city.

In 1159, the Almohad ruler Abd al-Mumin made Tunis a provincial capital. This was the beginning of the city's ascendence. Under the Hafsid Dynasty, from the 12th to the 16th century, it became the wealthiest city in the Islamic world, and had a population of 100,000 people.

Today Tunis is the main tourist destination in the country and tourism is a major contributor to the city's economy. It has a well-restored old city with a number of historic buildings.

Tunis City Hall
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Municipalite_de_Tunis-Kassus.jpg
Author: Kassus

Visiting Tunis

The Tunis-Carthage Airport is the main gateway to Tunisia. It is located just west of the ancient city of Carthage.

Zitouna Mosque, Tunis
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Minaret_et_patio_de_la_mosqu%C3%A9e_Zitouna_au_centre_de_la_M%C3%A9dina_de_Tunis.jpg
Author: T A

Places of Interest in Tunis

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