Sāḥil, Al-

Sāḥil, Al-

also spelled  Sahel , Latin  Byzacium 

      coastal plain in the eastern Mediterranean littoral of Tunisia that includes a sandy coast with large bays and lagoons of the Mediterranean (Mediterranean Sea) and is situated between the sea and the steppe country of central Tunisia. The region extends from the town of Al-Nafīdah on the central coast of the Gulf of Hammamet in the north to the town of Gabès (Qābis) on the Gulf of Gabes (Gabes, Gulf of) in the south, but Al-Sāḥil (Arabic: “shore”) in particular designates the stretch of land between the towns of Sousse (Sūsah) and Sfax (Ṣafāqis). The islands of Jerba (Jarbah) and Chergui (Al-Sharqī) are also considered a part of Al-Sāḥil. The region receives sufficient rainfall for irrigation because of the sharqī (easterly) wind.

      Al-Sāḥil was first inhabited by the Phoenicians in the 9th century BCE. Cereal growing is traditional, especially wheat and barley, and Hannibal introduced the cultivation of olive trees about 203 BCE. In 1091 CE Muslim refugees from Sicily settled in the region.

      The chief industries are based on the pressing of olive oil and the manufacture of soaps. Weaving, fishing, and pottery making are also economically important. Al-Sāḥil is densely populated and characterized by closely spaced villages. The inhabitants are referred to as either Sāḥilī, in Arabic, designating persons “from the coastal region,” or Āfāqī, a local term designating “sedentary villagers.” The main towns include Sousse, locally referred to as the pearl of Al-Sāḥil; Monastir (Al-Munastīr), the birthplace of the first Tunisian president, Habib Bourguiba (Bourguiba, Habib); Mahdia (Al-Mahdiyyah), the marketplace of the villagers; and Sfax, an important port and a trading centre.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Sahil — may refer to: * Sahil, Azerbaijan, a municipality in Baku * Sahil (name) …   Wikipedia

  • sahil — is., Ar. sāḥil Karanın deniz, göl, ırmak boyunca uzanan bölümü, kıyı, yaka, yalı Bir gün, adanın sahilinde, bir soğan yüklü kayık gelip demirledi. S. F. Abasıyanık Birleşik Sözler sahil boyu sahil çizgisi sahil devriyesi sahil kordonu sahil… …   Çağatay Osmanlı Sözlük

  • Sahil, Azerbaijan — Sahil   Town   …   Wikipedia

  • Sahil Resort Hotel — (Стамбул,Турция) Категория отеля: Адрес: Yalı Mah. Piri Reis Cad. No 22 Dragos Maltepe, Ма …   Каталог отелей

  • Sahil Martı Hotel — (Мезитли,Турция) Категория отеля: 4 звездочный отель Адрес: Akdeniz Mah Gmk Bulvarı …   Каталог отелей

  • Sahil Butik Hotel — (Тузла,Турция) Категория отеля: Адрес: Guzel Yali Mah. Sahil Yolu Cad. Alinteri S …   Каталог отелей

  • Sahil (name) — Sahil is a masculine baby name. Language Pronunciation: (sah hil) Meaning: Shore in Arabic. Other meanings: Ruler, Guide, Leader in Hindi Origin: Indian Script: ?? (Hindi) Other Arab and Persian sailors called at the coast of East Africa for… …   Wikipedia

  • Sahil Sarovar Portico — (Lonavala,Индия) Категория отеля: 3 звездочный отель Адрес: Near L&T Managemen …   Каталог отелей

  • Sahil Pension — (Чешме,Турция) Категория отеля: Адрес: 16 Eylul Mah. 3047 Sok. No:25, 35930 Чешме, Ту …   Каталог отелей

  • Sahil Apartment — (Анталья,Турция) Категория отеля: Адрес: Altınkum Mah 419 Sokak No:1/6, 07075 Антал …   Каталог отелей

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”