Sousse

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Situated 140 km south of Tunis , Sousse (Susah or Sousa) is the capital city of Susah Governorate . It was originally founded in the 9th century BC and was known to be the Phoenician settlement of Hadrumetum . A century later , the city felt under the control of Carthage . The town was chosen as the base for both Hannibal and later for Pompey . Sousse started to decline and its conditions deteriorate after the defeat of the Battle of Thapsus in 46 AD . It was not until the Arabs had controlled over the city that it was rebuilt and revived in the late 7th century; since then it was called Susah . It reached its peak of prosperity when its port became the main port of Tunisia . The port retained its importance after the French occupation in the 19th century .

Today , Sousse has a population of 173 , 047 (2004 statistics) and its economy depends mainly on trade , transport equipment , processed food , olive oil , textiles and tourism . What adds to the town's distinctiveness is that it has modern tall structures and a calm port . The city encloses the Université de Sousse (or Université de Monastir) . In addition , Sousse boasts its simple stunning beaches which charm tourists with their white sand and warm water . It also has a great deal of appealing attractions including the most popular beach , Boujaffar Beach , Sofra Cistern , Medina , Ribat , El Koubba Citadel , El Ahad Compound Market , Er Ribba Market , Museum Dar Essid , Catacombs of the Good Shepherd , Khalef Tower , and Zaouia Zakkak among others .