Sfax is a port town in the east of the country located about 270 kilometers from Tunis. The city is an ancient Roman Taparura, that was rebuilt by the Aghlabids in the 9th century using materials from the Roman city located about three kilometers away. They built the ramparts which gave the medina its current configuration. After a period of withdrawal following the Arab invasions of the 11th century, the city started rising and blooming again especially through olive plantations in the surrounding steppes. In an environment favorable to dry arboriculture, a great forest of olive trees has been blossoming. Sfax remains an olive-growing city and the most important oil manufacturing and trading center in all of Tunisia. In addition to the medina, a modern city has been developing around the port, which has become the main one in Tunisia. Suburbs extend the beautiful city to the north and south, along the Tunis-Gabes Road. Subsequently, many other activities started developing in the city such as the exploitation of the sea, industries based on phosphates, construction industries, agricultural production, among many others.
