Gabès

Gabès , also spelled Cabès, Cabes, and Kabes, is the capital of the <a href="/facts/Gab%25C3%25A8s_Governorate/UdVqUYXU">Gabès Governorate</a> in <a href="/facts/Tunisia/4uC8Po6k">Tunisia</a>. Situated on the coast of the <a href="/facts/Gulf_of_Gab%25C3%25A8s/sXsNVt9A">Gulf of Gabès</a>, the city has a population of 167,863, making it the 6th largest city in Tunisia. Located 327 km southeast of <a href="/facts/Tunis/nmKNnW85">Tunis</a> and 113 km from <a href="/facts/Sfax/zVNrCJDE">Sfax</a>, Gabès lies at the delta of the Wadi Qabis, which originates 10 kilometers upstream at <a href="/facts/Ras_El_Oued%2c_Algeria/83T21X0A">Ras al-Oued</a> and serves as its primary water source. 
Historically, the town was a <a href="/facts/Ancient_Carthage/5BFU7yB5">Carthaginian</a> settlement known as Tacapae before falling under <a href="/facts/Roman_Empire/l4E1aUuV">Roman</a> control. It was later ruined during the 7th-century Arab invasion but was recovered by Sidi Boulbaba, a revered companion of the <a href="/facts/Muhammad/5VcA7XrT">Prophet Muhammad</a> and a patron of the town. Although it experienced decline under the <a href="/facts/Ottoman_Empire/6QvfTRsg">Ottomans</a>, Gabès saw significant growth under French rule from 1881 to 1955, with the development of key infrastructure, including a railway, road network, and port. During <a href="/facts/World_War_II/2efV5L1U">World War II</a>, the city served as the headquarters for Germany’s <a href="/facts/Afrika_Korps/FSdBjumv">Afrika Korps</a> until British and French forces retook it in 1943.
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.

Gabès open-in-new

Gabès