Lake of Tunis, Tunis

The Lake of Tunis is a natural lagoon situated between the city of Tunis and the Mediterranean Sea. Although the lake is 37 square kilometers, it is very shallow. It was once used as the natural harbor of Tunis. The Romans considered the Tunis-Carthage connection to be vital because it gave them control over the fertile hinterland, so they constructed a dam through the lake.

Today, this dam is used as an expressway for cars and railways, connecting Tunis to the harbor, La Goulette, and the coastal cities of Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, and La Marsa. The island of Chikly, located in the northern part of the lake, used to be a Spanish stronghold and is now a nature reserve. In the 19th century, French colonial forces built a canal to cross the lake.

Over time, the lake bed has continued to rise due to sediment deposition, and efforts have been made to develop its shores for commercial, residential, and touristic purposes. The Lake of Tunis is not only an essential part of Tunisia's history but also an important economic and cultural hub for the country.