Gafsa (Arabic: قفصة Qafṣa) is the capital of Gafsa Governorate of Tunisia. It's name was appropriated by archaeologists for the Mesolithic Capsian culture. With an estimated population of 90,000 it is the 9th Tunisian city.
Overview
The city has 90,000 inhabitants (2005 estimate). The governorate has 340,000 inhabitants (2005 estimate) and an area of 8,990 km². Contemporary Gafsa is a modern town, and the centre of the Djerid area's important phosphate industry. Of note are the Roman baths, still used today. The city lies 369 km by road southwest of Tunis. Its geographical coordinates are 34°25′N 8°47′E / 34.417°N 8.783°E / 34.417; 8.783.
In January 2008 Gafsa was the epicentre of a popular spontaneous uprising protesting against the corruption and nepotism of the country's authoritarian regime of president Ben Ali. The uprising was swiftly and brutally suppressed with the full might of the state apparatus and went unreported in state-controlled Tunsian media. Youtube has been blocked in Tunisia ever since because it carries video footage from the riots and information about the subsequent treatment of its instigators by the Tunisian regime [1].
History
In Roman times, Gafsa was known as Capsa. It has given name to the Mesolithic Capsian industry.
On January 27, 1980 about 300 soldires, coming from Libya, occupied the town as an act against the government of Habib Bourguiba and because of alleged dissatisfaction in the region. 48 people were killed in battles.
Transport
Gafsa – Ksar International Airport is located in the city.
Sport
El Kawafel Sportives de Gafsa (Arabic: القوافل الرياضية بقفصة, often referred to as EGSG) is the main football club of Gafsa. Other football clubs: stade sportif gafsien, la flèche sportive de Ksar Gafsa
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