Tunis 57659 223331043 2008-07-03T16:33:15Z MelonBot 6019534 Removing deleted template {{Otheruses4|the city in [[Tunisia]]|the operating system|TUNIS|the sheep breed|Tunis (sheep)}} {{Infobox Settlement |official_name = Tunis |native_name = تونس |nickname = |motto = |image_skyline = Tunis.png |imagesize = 250px |image_caption = Tunis by Night |image_flag = |image_seal = |image_map = |mapsize = |map_caption = |pushpin_map = Tunisia <!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map --> |pushpin_label_position = bottom <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none --> |pushpin_map_caption = |pushpin_mapsize = |subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]] |subdivision_name = [[Tunisia]] |subdivision_type1 = [[Governorates of Tunisia|Governorates]] |subdivision_name1 = [[Tunis Governorate]] |subdivision_type2 = |subdivision_name2 = |leader_title = [[Mayor]] |leader_name = [[Abbes Mohsen]] |leader_title1 = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager --> |leader_name1 = |leader_title2 = |leader_name2 = |leader_title3 = |leader_name3 = |established_title = |established_date = |established_title2 = <!-- Incorporated (town) --> |established_date2 = |established_title3 = <!-- Incorporated (city) --> |established_date3 = |area_magnitude = |area_total_km2 = 212.63 |area_total_sq_mi = |area_land_km2 = |area_land_sq_mi = |area_water_km2 = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |population_as_of = 2007 |population_note =<ref name="ins">{{fr}} [http://www.ins.nat.tn/fr/rgph2.1.commune.php?code_modalite=24411&Code_indicateur=0301007&Submit3=Envoyer Census of 2004 information] National Statistical Institute</ref> |population_total = 728453 |population_density_km2 = 3425.9 |population_density_sq_mi = |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = |timezone = [[Central European Time|CET]] |utc_offset = +1 |timezone_DST = [[CEST]] |utc_offset_DST = +2 |latd=36|latm=49|latNS=N |longd=10|longm=11|longEW=E |elevation_m = |elevation_ft = |postal_code_type = |postal_code = |website = [http://www.commune-tunis.gov.tn commune-tunis.gov.tn] |footnotes = }} [[Image:Tunis Nasa satellite image.jpg|thumb|Tunis, capital of [[Tunisia]].]] [[Image:Tunis1.jpg|thumb|Tunis - Ave. [[Habib Bourguiba]] as seen from Carlton Hotel]] <!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:AvHabibB.jpg|thumb|Tunis - Ave. [[Habib Bourguiba]] as seen from El Hana Hotel]] --> '''Tunis''' ([[Arabic language|Arabic]]: تونس, ''Tūnis'') is the [[capital]] of the [[Tunisian Republic]] and also the [[Tunis Governorate]], with a population of 728,453 in 2004. Informal estimates state that the population of greater Tunis approaches two million. It is Tunisia's largest city. Situated on a large [[Mediterranean]] gulf, (the [[Gulf of Tunis]]), behind the [[Lake of Tunis]] and the port of [[La Goulette]] (Halq al Wadi), the city extends along the coastal plain and the hills that surround it. At the centre of more modern development (colonial era and post) lies the old [[medina quarter|medina]]. Beyond this section lie the suburbs of Carthage, La Marsa, and Sidi Bou Said. The [[medina quarter|medina]] is found at 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, or Ville Nouvelle, transversed by the grand Avenue Bourguiba (considered by many to be the Tunisian [[Champs-Élysées]]), where the colonial-era buildings provide a clear contrast to smaller older structures. As the capital city of the country Tunis is the center of Tunisian commercial activity, as well as focus of political and administrative life in the country. The expansion of the Tunisian economy in the last decades is reflected in the booming development of the outer city where one can see clearly the social challenges brought about by rapid modernization in 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]]. The ancient city of [[Carthage]] is located just north of Tunis along the coastal part. Tunis is located at {{coor dm|36|81|N|10|16|E|}} ({{coor d|36.81881|N|10.16596|E|}}). ==History== ===Early history=== In the [[2nd millennium BC]] a town, originally named Tunes, was founded by [[Berbers]] and also over time occupied by [[Numidians]]. In the 9th century BC, the city was taken over by [[Phoenicians]] from [[Carthage]]. The [[Berbers]]{{Specify|date=July 2007}}<!--Which ancient ethnonym is used in the original sources? Libyans? Numidians?--> took control of Tunis in 395 BC 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 [[Before Common Era|BC]], the [[Roman Republic|Romans]] destroyed Tunis (along with Carthage). However, the city was subsequently rebuilt under the rule of [[Augustus]] and became an important town under Roman control and the center of a booming agricultural industry. ===Islamic Control=== It was not 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 quarter|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|Hafsid]] [[Berbers|Berber]] dynasties. During this time, Tunis was one of the richest and grandest cities in the [[Islamic world]], with a population of about 100,000. ===Ottoman rule and piracy=== The [[Ottoman Empire]] took nominal control of the city in 1534 when [[Barbarossa (Ottoman admiral)|Barbarossa Hayreddin]] captured it from the Hafsid Sultan, [[Mulai Hassan]]. Mulai Hassan fled to the court of [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor]] and King of Spain. Charles, who suffered at the hands of the [[corsairs]] operating out of [[Djerba]], Tunis and [[Algiers]], agreed to reinstate Mulai-Hassan in exchange for an acceptance of Spanish suzerainty by Mulai-Hassan. A [[Conquest of Tunis|naval expedition led by Charles himself]] was dispatched in 1535 and the city was quickly recaptured. The victory against the corsairs is recorded in a tapestry at the [[Royal Palace of Madrid]]. The resulting protectorate lasted until the Ottomans retook Tunis in 1574. After 1591, the Ottoman governors ([[Bey]]s) were relatively independent and piracy and trade continued to flourish. In April 1655, [[England|English]] Admiral [[Robert Blake (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 nine Algerian ships and two shore batteries, the first time in naval warfare that shore batteries had been taken out without landing men ashore. ===European colonialism=== [[Image:Saint Louis Cathedral.jpg|thumb|St. Louis Cathedral on the Byrsa hill at Carthage]] The [[France|French]] occupied the city from 1881 to 1956 having established a [[protectorate]] system of administration that recognized the nominal authority of local government. In those years there were huge European colonies (like the [[Tunisian Italians]]) in Tunis and the city experienced a great expansion with the creation of new boulevards. During [[World War II]], Tunis was held by [[Axis powers|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 Arab League, which represents 22 Arab nations, transferred its headquarters to Tunis in 1979 because of Egypt's peace with Israel but headquartered back in Egypt since 1990. The [[Palestine Liberation Organization]] also had its headquarters in Tunis, from 1970s to 2003. In 1985, the PLO's headquarters [[Operation Wooden Leg|was bombed]] by the [[Israeli Air Force]], killing approximately 60 people. ==Landmarks== ===The medina=== [[Image:TUNISpdfrance.jpg|thumb|The "Porte de France" or Sea Gate, Tunis]] The medina of Tunis has been a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] since 1979. The medina contains some 700 monuments, including palaces, [[mosque]]s, [[mausoleum]]s, [[madrasa]]s and fountains dating from the Almohad and the Hafsid periods. These ancient buildings include * the Great Mosque (including the Muslim University and library) * Aghlabid Ez-Zitouna Mosque ("Mosque of the Olive") built in 723 by Obeid Allah Ibn-al-Habhab to celebrate the new capital. * the Dar-al-Bey, or Bey's Palace, comprises architecture and decoration from many different styles and periods and is believed to stand on the remains of a Roman theatre as well as the [[tenth century]] palace of Ziadib-Allah II al Aghlab. [[Image:Tunis Bourguiba.jpg|thumb]] ===Other landmarks=== * The [[Bardo Museum]] was originally a 13th century [[Hafsid]] palace, located in the (then) suburbs of Tunis. It contains a major collection of Roman empires and other antiquities of interest from [[Ancient Greece]], Tunisia, and from the Arab period. * The ruins of [[Carthage]] are nearby, along the coast to the northeast, the old capital of the [[Carthaginian Empire]], with many ancient ruins. ==Economy== Products include [[textiles]], [[carpets]], and [[olive oil]]. [[Tourism]] also provides a significant portion of the city's income. ==Transport== Tunis is served by the [[Tunis-Carthage International Airport]]. The growing metropolitan area is served by an extensive network of public transportation including buses, an above-ground light rail system (le Metro), as well a regional train line (le [[TGM]]) that links the city center to its closest northern suburbs. Multi-lane autoroutes surround the city and serve the increasing number of privately owned cars one encounters in Tunisia. The Tunis area is served by the [[Métro léger de Tunis|métro léger]] ([[Arabic language|Ar.]]: المترو الخفيف لمدينة تونس) and [[TGM]] (Tunis-Goulette-Marsa), as well as bus services, and is linked to other places in Tunisia by [[SNCFT]], the national railways. * [http://www.snt.com.tn/ TRANSTU - Société des Transports de Tunis] * [http://www.oaca.nat.tn/ OACA - Ministry of Transport (Airports)] <!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Transtu.jpg|thumb|Metro Line operated by TRANSTU seen on Av.Habib Bourguiba.]] --> ==Education== [[Image:Souks Tunis 2.jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Souks Market]]]] Tunis is the site of the [[University of Tunis]] as well as [[Tunisia Private University]]. ==Twin Cities== *[[Algiers]], [[Algeria]] *[[Cologne]], [[Germany]] ==See also== * [[Barbary pirates]] * [[Tunisian Italians]] ==References== <references/> ==External links== {{commonscat|Tunis|Tunis}} * {{wikitravel}} * [http://lexicorient.com/tunisia/tunis.htm Lexicorient] * [http://www.tunisforum.com TunisForum:Guide ou sortir en Tunisie] * [http://www.tunisia.com/Tunisia/Travel/Tunisia-Travel-Guides/Northern-Tunisia/Tunis Guide to Tunis] * [http://www.commune-tunis.gov.tn/ The Municipality of Tunis official website.] * [http://www.andycarvin.com/archives/2005/12/the_bardo_museu.html Video tour] of the Bardo Museum * [http://www.andycarvin.com/archives/2005/11/strolling_throu_1.html Video of Tunis Medina] {{Geolinks-cityscale|36.8|10.17}} {{World Heritage Sites in Tunisia}} <!-- Template removed per [[Wikipedia:Templates_for_deletion/Log/2008_April_22#Template:AL_LargestCities]] --> {{African capitals}} [[Category:Tunis| ]] [[Category:Settlements established in the 2nd millennium BC]] [[Category:Capitals in Africa]] [[Category:Cities, towns and villages in Tunisia]] [[Category:Coastal cities]] [[Category:World Heritage Sites in Tunisia]] [[Category:Barbary Wars]] [[Category:Port cities in Africa]] [[Category:Port cities of the Mediterranean Sea]] {{Link FA|fr}} [[am:ቱኒስ]] [[ar:تونس (مدينة)]] [[arc:ܬܘܢܣ]] [[frp:Tunis]] [[bs:Tunis]] [[br:Tuniz]] [[bg:Тунис (град)]] [[ca:Tunis]] [[cv:Тунис (хула)]] [[cs:Tunis]] [[cy:Tunis]] [[da:Tunis]] [[de:Tunis]] [[et:Tunis]] [[el:Τύνιδα]] [[es:Túnez (ciudad)]] [[eo:Tunizo]] [[eu:Tunis]] [[fa:تونس (شهر)]] [[fr:Tunis]] [[gd:Tunis]] [[gl:Tunes]] [[ko:튀니스]] [[hy:Թունիս (քաղաք)]] [[hr:Tunis (grad)]] [[io:Tunis]] [[id:Tunis]] [[os:Тунис (сахар)]] [[is:Túnis (borg)]] [[it:Tunisi]] [[he:תוניס]] [[jv:Tunis]] [[ka:ტუნისი (ქალაქი)]] [[sw:Tunis]] [[ht:Tinis]] [[la:Tunes]] [[lb:Tunis]] [[lt:Tunisas (miestas)]] [[hu:Tunisz]] [[mk:Тунис (град)]] [[mr:ट्युनिस]] [[nl:Tunis]] [[ja:チュニス]] [[no:Tunis]] [[nov:Tunis]] [[oc:Tunis]] [[pms:Tùnis]] [[pl:Tunis]] [[pt:Tunes (Tunísia)]] [[ksh:Tunis]] [[ro:Tunis]] [[ru:Тунис (город)]] [[scn:Tùnisi]] [[simple:Tunis]] [[sk:Tunis]] [[sl:Tunis]] [[sr:Тунис (град)]] [[sh:Tunis (grad)]] [[fi:Tunis]] [[sv:Tunis]] [[tl:Tunis]] [[vi:Tunis]] [[tg:Тунис (шаҳр)]] [[tr:Tunus (şehir)]] [[uk:Туніс (місто)]] [[vec:Túnixi]] [[zh:突尼斯市]]