Tunis (ancient Tunes), city, port, and capital of Tunisia, on the Lake of Tunis, northeastern Tunisia. The city is served by a nearby international airport and is connected by rail with other northern African ports. A commercial and industrial center, Tunis has plants producing chemicals, processed foods, and textiles; distilleries are also here. A ship channel connects the city with the Mediterranean Sea.

Compared with most mega-cities elsewhere in the world, Tunis comes across as little more than a large country town. The city centre is compact and easy to navigate, with almost everything important to travellers within the medina and the compact ville nouvelle.

Tunis was probably founded as a Phoenician settlement in the 6th century BC but was overshadowed by neighboring Carthage in ancient times. With Carthage, it was conquered by the Romans in 146 BC. A revived Tunis flourished after the Arabs took control during the 7th century AD and was especially prominent under the Hafsid dynasty (1228-1574). Pirating and trading assured the city’s continued prosperity during the 17th and 18th centuries.

The modern city of Tunis was built while Tunisia was under French rule (1881-1956). During that period the population increased dramatically as thousands of Europeans and Muslims were drawn to the area by growing commercial and industrial facilities. When Tunisia won its independence, Tunis became its capital.

The medina is the historical and cultural heart of modern Tunis and a great place to get a feel for life in the city. Built during the 7th century AD, it lost its status as Tunis Central when the French took over and raised their ville nouvelle around the turn of the 20th century.

One of the oldest of the medina’s sights, the Zitouna Mosque was rebuilt in the 9th century on the site of the original 7th century structure. Its builders recycled 200 columns from the ruins of Roman Carthage for the central prayer hall. Modestly dressed non-Muslims are allowed in as far as the courtyard. To the west, the Mosque of Youssef Dey was the first Ottoman-style mosque to be built in Tunis (1616). The nearby Souq el-Berka is where slaves were sold by Muslim corsairs.

Also in the medina, the Tourbet el-Bey is a huge mausoleum that houses the remains of many Husseinite beys, princesses, ministers and advisors - the caretaker is a keen tour-giver. Not far off, the Dar Ben Abdallah Museum houses the Centre for Popular Arts & Traditions, where the exhibits seem almost lacklustre when seen against the building’s majestic backdrop. Also in the area is the Dar el-Haddad, one of the medina’s oldest dwellings. The medina was added to the UN’s World Heritage List in 1981.

The streets of the ville nouvelle are lined with old French buildings replete with wrought-iron railings and louvred windows, lending it a very European feel that’s heightened by a number of sidewalk caf?s and patisseries. After ogling the colonial architecture, don’t skip a visit to the Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul. Incorporated in its design are an extraordinarily bizarre collection of clashing styles - Gothic, Byzantine, North African.

One not-to-be-missed sight outside of central Tunis is the Bardo Museum, housed in the former Bardo Palace, official residence of the Husseinite beys. Inside, the collection is broken down into sections that cover the Carthaginian, Roman, early Christian and Arab-Islamic eras. The Roman collection contains one of the finest collection of Roman mosaics and statuary anywhere. The museum is located about 4km (2mi) west of the city centre, an easy taxi or tram ride.