Gabès

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Gabès
قابس
Gabès
Coordinates: 33°53′N 10°07′E / 33.883°N 10.117°E / 33.883; 10.117Coordinates: 33°53′N 10°07′E / 33.883°N 10.117°E / 33.883; 10.117
Country Tunisia
Governorates Gabès
Population (2004)
 • Total 116,323
  Source: Census
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Website Official website

Gabès (Arabic: قابس‎ Qābis), also spelt Cabès, Cabes, Kabes, Gabbs and Gaps, the ancient Tacape, is the capital city of the Gabès Governorate, a province of Tunisia. It lies on the coast of the Gulf of Gabès. With a population of 116,323 (census 2004) it is the 6th largest Tunisian city.

History

Strabo refers to Tacape as an important entrepot of the Lesser Syrtis. Pliny (18.22) remarks that the waters of a copious fountain at Tacape were divided among the cultivators according to a system where each had the use of the water during a certain interval of time. The Tabula Peutingeriana shows Tacape between Marcomades and Sabratha.

1928 map of Gabes under the French.
  • 7th century: The Muslim conquest (Al'Fatah Al'Islami). Muhammed's companion Sidi Abou Loobaba Al'Ansarey settles in Gabès.
  • 1881: Gabès comes under a French protectorate.
  • 1940: Following the Fall of France, Gabès comes under German control.
  • 1943: Gabès returns to French control with the help of the British (in the Mareth Line). The operation results in serious damage to the city infrastructure.
  • 1945: The rebuilding of Gabès starts.
  • 1956: Gabès reverts to Tunisian control with the independence of Tunisia from the French.

Education

Economy

Gabès is one of the biggest industrial cities in Tunisia. Most industries are chemical oriented, this is why the city offers one of the best chemistry degrees in Africa from the University of Gabès. The main industries are:

  • Cement
  • Chemical products
  • Brick Factories
  • Oil refinery

The fast growing numbers of factories has resulted in fairly serious pollution of the area and Gulf of Gabès. In recent years the government is working on new programs and laws to decrease the amount of pollution.

Transport

Gabès – Matmata International Airport is in the city.

Railways

Gabès is terminus of a narrow gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) branch railway from the capital, and is the nearest railway station to the Libyan border at Ras Ajdir. Gabès has also one of the biggest ports in Tunisia; it is used usually to ship the mineral products from the city of Gafsa.

Roads

Gabès will be linked soon with the national motorway A4 ( Tunis - Ras Ajdir )

Climate

Gabès has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, characterized by a hot and dry season and a cool and arid season.

Climate data for Gabès
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 27
(81)		 31
(88)		 37
(99)		 42
(108)		 43
(109)		 46
(115)		 50
(122)		 47
(117)		 49
(120)		 44
(111)		 36
(97)		 27
(81)		 50
(122)
Average high °C (°F) 16
(61)		 18
(64)		 21
(70)		 23
(73)		 26
(79)		 28
(82)		 32
(90)		 33
(91)		 31
(88)		 27
(81)		 22
(72)		 17
(63)		 24
(75)
Average low °C (°F) 6
(43)		 7
(45)		 9
(48)		 12
(54)		 16
(61)		 19
(66)		 22
(72)		 22
(72)		 21
(70)		 17
(63)		 11
(52)		 7
(45)		 13
(55)
Record low °C (°F) −3
(27)		 −2
(28)		 2
(36)		 4
(39)		 4
(39)		 6
(43)		 9
(48)		 14
(57)		 12
(54)		 6
(43)		 1
(34)		 0
(32)		 −3
(27)
Precipitation mm (inches) 23
(0.91)		 18
(0.71)		 20
(0.79)		 10
(0.39)		 8
(0.31)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 3
(0.12)		 13
(0.51)		 31
(1.22)		 31
(1.22)		 15
(0.59)		 172
(6.77)
Source: BBC Weather [1]

Tourism

Overview

Gabès is famous for its traditional Souqs in Jarah; it is known also for its attractive beach and the unusual seaside oasis (Gabès is located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea). The best parts of the beach are in the south of the city (Road to Djerba). The best one is the Lemawa or Lemaya beach. The government is planning to build a tourist zone there in the coming years. Gabès has a unique feature in the world, in this city you find the mountain, the sea, the oasis and the desert. The most visited place in Gabès is the town Matmata.

Place to visit:

  • The traditional souks.
  • The Kornich.
  • Sidi Boulbaba.
  • The Mouradi school.
  • Zaouia Sidi Ahmed Toujani.

Gallery

  • Two lighthouses at the entrance of the port of Gabes

  • Gabès minaret

  • The traditional souk

World Heritage Status

This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on May 28, 2008, in the Cultural category.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Average Conditions Gabès, Tunisia". BBC Weather. Retrieved October 15, 2010. 
  2. ↑ Oasis de Gabès - UNESCO World Heritage Centre

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gabès.
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