Kerkenna Islands
| Kerkenna Islands | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Waters | Mediterranean Sea | |
| Geographical location | 34 ° 43 ' N , 11 ° 11' E | |
|
||
| Number of islands | 6th | |
| Main island | Chergui and Garbi | |
| Total land area | 159.7 km² | |
| Residents | 15,501 (April 23, 2014) | |
 |
||
The Kerkenna Islands , formerly called Kyrannis ( Greek ), later Cercina ( Latin ), then Kerkenah ( Arabic جزر قرقنة, DMG Ǧuzur Qarqanna ), are a group of islands off the east coast of Tunisia in the Gulf of Gabès , about 20 km from the mainland ( Sfax ). The archipelago forms one of 16 municipalities ( delegation ) of the Sfax Governorate . It consists of two approximately 300 m apart and located by a causeway connected main islands Chergui also Sharki , or Sharqi , (from Arabic شرقي, DMG šarqī 'east') and Garbi (from Arabic غربي 'West') as well as several smaller uninhabited islets. The main town Remla is about 16 km from Kerkenna's connection port to the mainland ( Port de Sidi Youssef ). The islands are connected to the Tunisian mainland (Sfax) by a regular ferry service.
Demographics
The population of the Kerkenna Islands is called Kerkennis. Their origins are derived from Greeks who came from nearby Malta , Arabized and converted to Islam . The Kerkennis have developed their own culture and are known for their typical folklore . Speak Tunisian Arabic with a local accent; many expressions are derived from French.
The islands are populated by around 15,500 inhabitants (2014 census). During the summer months, the population can rise to up to 120,000 due to mostly European tourists and Kerkennis, who otherwise live in other parts of Tunisia or abroad.
Villages
- Abbassia
- Ouled Ezzeddine
- Ouled Kacem _
- Ouled Yaneg
- Chergui _
- El-Attaya _
- El-Jouaber
- Cellar cabin _
- Kraten _
- Mellita _
- Ouled Bou Ali _
- Remla (main town) _
- Sidi Fredj _
- Sidi Youssef
- Krayab (innajat) _
history
- 600 to 200 BC Discovered by the Puners
- 500 to 200 BC Chr. Carthaginian era
- from 200 BC BC Roman era. After his escape from Rome (before Lucius Cornelius Sulla ), the Roman general Gaius Marius is said to have resigned himself according to Plutarch in 88 BC. BC on Cercina because he had given some of his veterans land here. He returned in 87 BC. Chr. To Rome, where he bloody revenge committed to Sulla's supporters.
- from 697 AD Islamic epoch
- from 1212 Spanish era
- from 1451–1851 Ottoman era
- from 1851 modern era
- April 16, 1941 The German-Italian Convoy 20 to supply the Africa Corps is attacked by the British off the coast of the islands. Around 1,800 Germans and Italians lose their lives in the attack
