n.
City (pop., 1994: 674,000), capital of Tunisia.
It is situated on an isthmus between two lagoons; its port, La Goulette ( 1E24; alq al-W 0101; d 012B; ), is on the end of the eastern lagoon, Tunis Lake. Founded by Libyans, it was later a small town under Carthage ; it became important after the Muslim conquest in the 7th century AD. It became the capital city under the Abb 0101; sid dynasty (9th century) and one of the leading cities of the Muslim world under the Hafsid dynasty (13th century). The Spanish and Ottomans controlled it during the 16th century, and it was occupied by the Germans in 1942. It was made the national capital when Tunisia gained independence from France in 1956. It produces textiles, carpets, and olive oil and has metallurgical industries. Tourism is also important.