Zarzis
Zarzis also known as Jarjis ( "") is a coastal commune (municipality) in southeastern Tunisia, former bishopric and Latin Catholic titular see under its ancient name Gergis. To the Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs the port was of strategic importance. Geography. It lies on the coast of the Mediterranean, where the climate is mainly dry and sunny, making it a popular tourist destination mixing the old and the traditional. It has a major port where a park of economic activities is based. Located at the southern end of the eastern peninsula that bears his name, the "délégation" (district) of Zarzis has a  very large coastline. There are a variety of landscapes reflecting a great diversity of climatic conditions. History. The city was known in Antiquity as Gergis and located at the western end of the Lesser Syrtis (Gulf of Gabès), not far from the island of Meninx (current Djerba). The town may owe its name and/or origin to the Biblical tribes of Girgashites which, according to ancient Jewish writers, had left the Canaan at the time of Joshua and went to settle in North Africa. According to Stadiasme, it had a castle, where stood the ruins and a citadel modern still bearing  the old name albeit now pronounced "Zarzis", and a (navy) port. Gergis was important enough in the Roman province of Tripolitania (in the papal sway) to become a suffragan bishopric, which was to fade, presumably at the seventh century advent of Islam. Its ecclesiastical history is confused, due to confusion in consulting the Latin sources with the near-homonymous diocese Girba (modern Djerba). Titular see. The diocese was nominally restored in 1933 as a Latin Catholic titular bishopric of Gergis (Latin) / Gergi (Curiate Italian) / Gergitan(us) (Latin adjective). It has had the following incumbents, so far of the fitting Episcopal (lowest ) rank : Economy. Economic activity of Zarzis is mainly based on tourism, fishing and agriculture; in industry, the food sector dominates with 55 of 89 firms. The olive occupies a special place in Zarzis . Production of the campaign 1999 - 2000 reached tons olives, equivalent to tons of olive oil. This production is processed through the 57 mills of the delegation and provides more than direct jobs. In 2011, the city is the scene of stowaway to Europe. The local economy is diverse—agriculture, mainly olives, oil and tourism.