Gabès
Gabès (Arabic قابس, Qabis DMG ) is a city on the Mediterranean coast of Tunisia and the capital of the province Gabès. The city has about 120,000 inhabitants and is located on the GP1 Sfax - Médenine, about 400 km south of Tunis, on the Gulf of Gabès.
History
Even the Phoenicians had established a trading post here. Under the Romans the place was named Tacapae to Colonia under the name and was one of Tripolitania. A first mention is found probably in Apuleius. During World War II the city was heavily damaged when it 1942/1943 fighting between the Axis against the Allies came here.
Economy
Gabès is the center of a coastal oasis with over 500,000 date palms and fruit tree crops such as pomegranates. Gabes is also known for the henna produced here.
The economy of Gabès is based on the chemical industry, an oil refinery, cement and canneries, fishing, tourism and handicrafts.
Twinning
- Linz in Austria since 1977