Gabès قابس - ڨابس | |
|---|---|
 View of Gabès bay | |
  Gabès | |
| Coordinates:33°53′N10°07′E / 33.883°N 10.117°E /33.883; 10.117 | |
| Country |  Tunisia |
| Governorate | Gabès Governorate |
| Delegation(s) | Gabes Medina, Gabes West, Gabes South |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Mohamed Aziz Ibrahim Jed (SFBT) |
| Population | |
• Total | 167,863[1] |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Website | Official website |
Gabès (/ˈɡɑːbɛs/,[2][3]UK also/ˈɡɑːbɪs/;[4]Arabic:قابس,romanized: Gābisⓘ), also spelledCabès,Cabes, andKabes, is the capital of theGabès Governorate inTunisia. Situated on the coast of theGulf of Gabès, the city has a population of 167,863, making it the 6th largest city in Tunisia. Located 327 km southeast ofTunis and 113 km fromSfax, Gabès lies at the delta of the Wadi Qabis, which originates 10 kilometers upstream atRas al-Oued and serves as its primary water source.
Historically, the town was aCarthaginian settlement known as Tacapae before falling underRoman control. It was later ruined during the 7th-century Arab invasion but was recovered by Sidi Boulbaba, a revered companion of theProphet Muhammad and a patron of the town. Although it experienced decline under theOttomans, Gabès saw significant growth under French rule from 1881 to 1955, with the development of key infrastructure, including a railway, road network, and port. DuringWorld War II, the city served as the headquarters for Germany’sAfrika Korps until British and French forces retook it in 1943.[5]
Today, Gabès is a thriving commercial hub and oasis, with industries spanning fishing, agriculture, textiles, cement, brick manufacturing, and petrochemicals. Tourism also contributes to its economy, making it an important center in southern Tunisia.
Takapes, the ancient name of Gabès, is aPunicNumidian (Berber) toponym. Later, the prefix "Ta" (meaning "the" in Punic) was dropped, and the place became known as Kapes. As inArabic the sound /p/ is unknown, Kapes became known as Kabes, and later known as Gabès.
Gabès is the ancientTacapae[6][7] orTacape (Τακάπη inAncient greek) orTacapes[8] of theRoman province ofTripolitania.
Strabo refers to this city as an important entrepot of theLesser 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.
TheTabula Peutingeriana shows Tacape betweenMacomades andSabratha.
Tacapae became a Christianbishopric that, no longer being a residential see, is included in theCatholic Church's list oftitular sees.[9]
Three of its bishops are known:[10]
In the 7th century, theUmayyad Caliphate conquered the region, bringingIslam to Gabès. One of ProphetMuhammad's companions,Abu Lubaba Al'Ansari, settled in the city, contributing to its development as an Islamic center. The following centuries saw a succession of different rulers and dynasties. In 1148, theZirids sacked Gabès, causing devastation to the city. During theOttoman period, in 1574, Gabès became part of theEyalet of Tunis, further cementing its role as a strategic trading hub in the Mediterranean region.
Gabès has been described by notable historians and travelers throughout history. In the 12th century,al-Idrisi praised its thriving economy, dense orchards, and bustling markets. He highlighted the city's production of dates, olives, and leather goods, as well as its strong fortifications.[11] In the 14th century, al-Tijani depicted Gabès as a city of beauty and abundance, calling it the "paradise of the world" and "LittleDamascus" due to its lush greenery and architectural charm. However, he also noted the city's health challenges, attributing frequent epidemics to theoleander trees that affected the water supply.[12] In 1862,Victor Guérin described Gabès not as a singular city but as a collection of towns and villages forming a vast oasis, supported by the waters of theWadi of Gabès.[13]
In the late 19th century, Tunisia came under French control, and in 1881, Gabès became part of the Frenchprotectorate. This period saw the introduction of modern infrastructure but also economic hardships for the local population. The 20th century brought further turmoil. After the fall of France in 1940, Gabès came under German control during World War II. Later years brought more instability. In 1941, Gabès was the scene ofriots against Jewish communities.
In 1943, British forces assisted in retaking Gabès from German control as part of theMareth Line operations, but this led to severe damage to the city's infrastructure. Reconstruction efforts began in 1945 to restore the city's economic and social life.
Gabès played a role in Tunisia's struggle forindependence from France, and after gaining sovereignty in 1956, the city continued to develop while preserving its historical and cultural heritage. Today, Gabès is known for its blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, with its famous oasis being one of the last coastal oases in the world. Its historical significance remains evident in the archaeological remains and the continued traditions that link it to its rich past.
Gabès is one of the biggest industrial cities inTunisia. Most industries are chemical oriented, this is why the city offers one of the best chemistry degrees in Africa from theUniversity of Gabès. The main industries are:
The fast-growing numbers of factories has resulted in fairly serious pollution in the area and theGulf of Gabès. In recent years the government has worked on new programs and laws to curb pollution.
Gabès – Matmata International Airport serves the city.
Gabès will soon be upgraded with one light rail system under the number 7 that will run from the railway station to the port of Gabès. Featuring rolling stock made by Alstom, Gabès will receive 15 new train sets.
Gabès is terminus of a narrow gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) branch railway from the capital, and is the nearest railway station to theLibyan border atRas 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.
Gabès will be linked soon with the national motorway A1 (Tunis – Ras Ajdir).
Gabès has ahot arid climate (Köppen climate classificationBWh), bordering upon ahot semi-arid climate (BSh), characterised by hot summers and pleasant winters. Rainfall is low throughout the year and negligible during the hot summer.
| Climate data for Gabès (1991–2020, extremes 1950–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 29.3 (84.7) | 33.9 (93.0) | 41.0 (105.8) | 38.2 (100.8) | 43.6 (110.5) | 46.5 (115.7) | 49.1 (120.4) | 46.6 (115.9) | 44.2 (111.6) | 40.9 (105.6) | 35.0 (95.0) | 31.2 (88.2) | 46.7 (116.1) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 17.1 (62.8) | 18.2 (64.8) | 20.2 (68.4) | 22.6 (72.7) | 25.6 (78.1) | 28.4 (83.1) | 31.4 (88.5) | 32.5 (90.5) | 30.5 (86.9) | 27.5 (81.5) | 22.8 (73.0) | 18.3 (64.9) | 24.6 (76.3) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 12.6 (54.7) | 13.4 (56.1) | 15.8 (60.4) | 18.5 (65.3) | 21.9 (71.4) | 25.1 (77.2) | 27.8 (82.0) | 28.8 (83.8) | 26.8 (80.2) | 23.3 (73.9) | 18.2 (64.8) | 13.9 (57.0) | 20.5 (68.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 8.1 (46.6) | 8.6 (47.5) | 11.5 (52.7) | 14.5 (58.1) | 18.3 (64.9) | 21.8 (71.2) | 24.2 (75.6) | 25.1 (77.2) | 23.2 (73.8) | 19.1 (66.4) | 13.6 (56.5) | 9.4 (48.9) | 16.5 (61.6) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −2.7 (27.1) | −2.0 (28.4) | 0.9 (33.6) | 4.6 (40.3) | 8.2 (46.8) | 12.0 (53.6) | 15.6 (60.1) | 16.8 (62.2) | 14.4 (57.9) | 6.8 (44.2) | 2.6 (36.7) | 0.0 (32.0) | −2.7 (27.1) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 24.4 (0.96) | 12.0 (0.47) | 17.1 (0.67) | 16.8 (0.66) | 10.4 (0.41) | 1.9 (0.07) | 0.5 (0.02) | 3.1 (0.12) | 30.1 (1.19) | 30.7 (1.21) | 18.7 (0.74) | 23.9 (0.94) | 189.5 (7.46) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 1.0 mm) | 2.9 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 2.1 | 3.0 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 21.2 |
| Averagerelative humidity (%) | 62 | 59 | 62 | 63 | 65 | 66 | 63 | 65 | 66 | 64 | 62 | 64 | 63 |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 214.1 | 226.8 | 251.9 | 274.1 | 308.4 | 322.2 | 354.0 | 335.1 | 259.4 | 247.8 | 218.1 | 211.1 | 3,223 |
| Mean dailysunshine hours | 7.1 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 8.9 | 10.1 | 10.7 | 12.0 | 11.4 | 9.3 | 8.4 | 7.6 | 6.8 | 9.0 |
| Source 1: Institut National de la Météorologie (humidity 1961–1990, sun 1981-2010)[14][15][16][17][note 1] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: NOAA (humidity and daily sun 1961–1990)[19][20][21] | |||||||||||||
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (61) | 15 (59) | 16 (61) | 17 (63) | 19 (66) | 22 (72) | 26 (79) | 28 (82) | 27 (81) | 25 (77) | 22 (72) | 18 (64) |
Gabès is famous for its traditionalSouqs in Jarah; it is known also for its attractive beach and the unusual seaside oasis (Gabès is located on the coast of the Mediterranean).
The most visited place in Gabès is the townMatmata.
The streets of Gabès come alive at night during Ramadan, where souks are open on the streets and parties happen almost every day in the night during Ramadan.
Among the city's historical and religious landmarks, the Mosque of Sidi Boulbaba and The Mouradi school are one of the most notable. Also, The Zaouia of Sidi Ahmed Toujani, which is associated with theTijaniSufi order and remains a center for spiritual gatherings.
This Oasis of Gabès was added to theUNESCOWorld Heritage Tentative List on May 28, 2008, in the Cultural category.[23]
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