Bizerte

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official_name =Bizerte
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image_caption = A view from Bizerte port


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pushpin_label_position =bottom
pushpin_map_caption =Location in Tunisia
subdivision_type = Country
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subdivision_type1 = Governorate
subdivision_name1 = Bizerte Governorate
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population_as_of =2004
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population_total =114,371
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timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
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latd=37 |latm=16|lats= |latNS=N
longd=9|longm=52|longs= |longEW=E
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Bizerte or Bizerta (Arabic: بنزرت; transliterated: Banzart; Italian: "Biserta") is a capital city of Bizerte Governorate in Tunisia. It has a population of 114,371 (2004 census).

History

Bizerte is known as the oldest and most European city in Tunisia. It was founded around 1000 BC by Phoenicians from Tyre. It is also known as the last town to remain under French control after the rest of the country won its independence from France.

Initially a small Phoenician harbour, the city came under the influence of Carthage after the defeat of Agathocles during the Punic Wars. The city was then occupied by the Romans, under the name of Hippo Diarrhytus or Zarrytus, was dismantled and moved to Utica.

Bizerte was successively conquered by the Arabs in 647 (who gave the city its current name), by the troops of Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire in 1535, and then by the Turks in 1574. The city then became a corsair harbour and struggled against the French and the Venetians.

Under the Treaty of Berlin, 1878, France gained control of Bizerte and built a large naval harbour in the city.

In 1924, after the French government officially recognised the Soviet Union (USSR), the military fleet of Tsarist Russia that had been kept in the port of Bizerte was returned to the Soviet government. The ships never moved from the port and finally were sold there as scrap metal.

Due to its strategic location on the Mediterranean, France wanted to keep control of its naval base there. So France kept control over the city even after Tunisia gained its independence in 1956. The city was blocked in 1961 by the Tunisian Army and Navy, then attacked. France responded by dropping 7,000 paratroopers and sending in three warships. The three day battle resulted in 700 dead and 1,200 wounded amongst the Tunisians at the cost of 24 dead and 100 wounded amongst the French.

The French military finally abandoned Bizerte on 15 October, 1963.

Geography

Bizerte is located on the north coast of Tunisia, 66 km north of Tunis and 15 km away from Cap Blanc, the northernmost point in Africa. The city is on the Mediterranean coast and is close to both Sardinia and Sicily.

Economy

Bizerte's economy is very diversified. There are all types of military bases and year round tourism, but not comparable to the eastern coast of Tunisia. There is manufacturing (textile, auto parts, cookware), fishing, fruits and vegetables, and wheat.

Bizerte is especially well known for the great beaches, like SIDI SALEM, LA GROTTE, RASENJELA.....

Miscellaneous

Bizerte is famous for its beautiful forests and beaches and the great sights.

Titular See

Hippo Diarrhytus is a titular see of the Roman Catholic Church. In 1989-2002 it was held by Mgr. Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, then by Mgr. Jose Paala Salazar, O.P. in 2002-2004 and by Mrg. Manfred Grothe since October 14, 2004. The city and see of Hippo Diarrhytus should not be confused with those of Hippo Regius where Saint Augustine of Hippo was the bishop.

External links

* [http://www.bizerte.org "Bizerte.Org"]
* [http://lexicorient.com/cgi-bin/eo-direct-frame.pl?http://i-cias.com/e.o/bizerte.htm|"Encyclopedia of the Orient"]
* [http://www.tunisia.com/Tunisia/Travel/Tunisia-Travel-Guides/Northern-Tunisia/Bizerte "Bizerte trave guide"]
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07360a.htm"Hippo Diarrhytus"] in the Catholic Encyclopedia