Zarzis

Zarzis جرجيس
Zarzis is located in Tunisia Zarzis
Coordinates:
Country	Tunisia
Governorates	Médenine
Population (2014)
• Total	75,382
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)

Zarzis also known as Jarjis (Tunisian Arabic: جرجيس‎ <phonos file="zerzis.wav">gergīs / zerzīs</phonos>) is a commune and coastal town in southeastern Tunisia, on the coast of Mediterranean Sea. The climate is mainly dry and sunny, making it a popular tourist destination mixing the old and the traditional. It has a major port where a park of economic activities is based. To the Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs the port was of strategic importance.

History

The city then known as 'Gergis' was located at the western end of Syrtique, not far from the island of Meninx (current Djerba). According to Stadiasme, it has a castle, where stood the ruins and a citadel modern still bearing the old name is pronounced Zarzis now , and port. This town owes its origin perhaps to Gergesiles which, according to ancient Jewish writers, had left the Canaan at the time of Joshua and went to settle in North Africa.

Geography

Located at the southern end of the eastern peninsula that bears his name, the delegation of Zarzis has a very large coastline. There are a variety of landscapes reflecting a great diversity of climatic conditions.

Buildings and structures

• 320 metres high guyed mast for FM-/TV-broadcasting, tallest structure in Tunisia [1]

Economy

Economic activity of Zarzis is mainly based on Tourism, the fishing and agriculture. In the industry, it is the food industry, which dominates with 55 companies of 89.

The olive occupies a special place in Zarzis where there are 1,228,700 feet occupying an area of 61,335 hectares of which 85% are in full production. Production of the campaign 1999 - 2000 reached 59,500 tons Olive s, equivalent to 11,900 tons of olive oil. This production is processed through the 57 mills Guimaraes of the delegation and provides more 5,000 direct jobs. In 2011, the city is the scene of stowaway to Europe. The local economy is diverse—agriculture, mainly olives, oil and tourism.

References

Media related to Zarzis at Wikimedia Commons