Hammamet
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Hammamet (Arabic: , Al-Ḥammāmāt) is a town in Tunisia. Due to its beaches it is a popular destination for swimming and water sports. It was the first tourist destination in Tunisia. It is located in the south east of the northern peninsula of Cap Bon in the Governorate of Nabeul, on the northern edge of the Gulf of Hammamet.
The reported number of inhabitants varies from 20,000 to 70,000 and the population quadruples due to tourists in the summer.
It is particularly known for jasmine, and this is how the tourist resort of Yasmine Hammamet got its name. All over Hammamet, souvenirs made of jasmine can be found.
Reportedly, Tunisian president, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, spends his vacations in Hammamet.
Around Hammamet, all kinds of immigrant towns/suburbs are being built as immigrants from the southern part of the country come to find work. As a popular destination for European tourists, it brings a lot of money to Tunisia.
History
Before 0 AD, there was a settlement called Pupput. It was a town (now in the suburbs of Hammamet) that became a Roman colony in 2nd century AD. In 13th century, walls around town were built and medina of Hammamet was built in 15th century. Then it came under Spanish and Turkish rule. In World War Two, it became one of the headquarters of general Erwin Rommel.
Popular tourist destinations near Hammamet
- Kairouan (Al-Qayrawān, القيروان)
- Tunis (Tūnis, تونس)
- Sidi Bou Said
- Carthage
- Sousse (Sūsah, سوسة)
- Monastir (Al-Munastīr, المـنسـتير)
- Nabeul (Nābul, نابل)
Famous people who lived in or visited Hammamet
- Italian politician Bettino Craxi, who died there at the age of 66 from complications of diabetes in 2000.
- Romanian millionaire Georges Sebastian (sometimes referred to as George Sebastian) built a villa in Hammamet in 1920s. His villa is now a popular tourist destination.
References
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