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Gabes, Tunisia |
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Tunisia has been traditionally Arabic and uniquely, continuously,
independent despite its occupation by numerous empires since ancient
times. Tunisia was first ruled by the Carthaginian Empire, then by
the Roman Empire, then the Ottoman Empire seized Tunis, and the area
surrounding it, during the 1560's, but even back during the Ottoman
rule over this area, Tunisia remained virtually independent.
The same occurred during the French occupation between 1881 and 1956. Because Tunisia had operated virtually on its own since the 1600's, it was pretty much left to its own devices after the French had colonized it. Therefore, it was a natural evolution when independence was granted in 1956. |
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Gabes, Tunisia isn't all that big - it has a population of about
110,000.
However, it is a major port and a major industrial site, the industry being mostly chemically oriented. The initial attraction for its' becoming a populated area, despite the fact that it is located along the barren coastal seaside desert, was the fact that it was a rare coastal oasis, providing not only a harbor for travelers, but fresh water along this coastal wasteland, as well. The next morning we woke up to this sight, docked in Gabes. Tunisia is known for its sulphur and phosphorus, as well as for its exports of dates, apricots, figs and olives. - this is a mound of sulphur waiting to be loaded aboard an outgoing freighter. Check out the massive industrial area in the background.
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