town located in eastern Tunisia, on Al-Sāḥil (Sāḥil, Al-) (Sahel), the coastal strip, 7 miles (11 km) from the Mediterranean Sea. A road and rail junction, the town is also a centre for olive growing and processing, flour milling, and weaving. Its buildings, typical of the area, are constructed mostly of beaten earth. Pop. (2004) 55,721.