Tunis

Tunis, nominally a hereditary beylik of the Turkish Empire, but in reality a dependency of France, under the government of a resident-general. It is bounded by the Mediterranean on the north and east, Tripoli on the south-east, and Algeria on the west and south. The length from north to south is about 300 miles, the extreme breadth 150 miles, and the area 45,000 square mi1es. It is traversed by two chains running eastwards from Algeria, the height of the southern in some places exceeding 5,000 feet, whilst that of the northern nowhere reaches 4,000 feet. Between them lies the fertile valley of the Mejerda, the principal river of Northern Africa. The southern chain divides into two branches, separated by a mountainous plateau, from which numerous streams flow in an easterly direction, disappearing in swamps and lagoons, which are usually dry in summer. In the midst of this district stands the ancient city of Kairwan. From Tebessa southwards there is a gradual descent through a series of steppes from the mountainous region to the Sibakh or salt-marshes, which extend inland from the Gulf of Cabes. Cork woods abound towards the eastern frontier, and the fertile districts produce plentiful crops, both of grain and of oranges, olives, grapes, and other fruit; the dates grown in the Belad el Jeird in the south are among the best that find their way to Europe. The resources of the country have been but little developed, but its commercial prospects are gradually brightening under French influence. The exports include wheat, barley, fruits, olive-oil, woollen textures, tunny-fish, and sponges. TUNIS, the capital, stands on an isthmus between two salt lakes, the outermost of which (that on the north-east) communicates with the port of Goletta by means of a short canal. The chief attractions of the old town are its mosques and bazaars. The aspect of the place has changed considerably during the French occupation (which began in 1881) and sanitary improvements are being gradually introduced.