The ruins of the third largest amphitheatre in the Roman Empire, at El Djem, central Tunisia
Carthage (Latin Carthago) was a great city of antiquity, on the northern coast of Africa. Dido was the legendary founder and queen of Carthage. The city was probably established as a trading post toward the end of the 9th century BC by Phoenicians. The earliest artifacts unearthed by archaeologists at the site date from 800 BC. Built on a peninsula jutting into the Gulf of Tunis, Carthage had two splendid harbors, connected by a canal. Above the harbors on a hill was the Byrsa, a walled fortress.
Tunis was considered one of the greatest and wealthiest cities in the Islamic world under the Almohads and the Hafsids, from the 12th to the 16th century.
Ichkeul National Park is a main winter quarters for migratory waterfowl. Hundreds of thousands of geese, ducks and other birds spend the winter months at Lake Ichkeul. Unfortunately, the building of three dams has cut off much of the fresh water supply to the lake, resulting in an increase of the water's salinity. This has caused many plant species the birds relied on to die out and has forced them to go elsewhere.
The 4th city of Islam. Lord Curzon of Kedleston writes about his visit of 1885 in Tales of Travel.
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Last updated: September 18, 2023