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Nefta
Arabic:
nafta
Oasis town in Tunisia with about 30,000 inhabitants (2005 estimate), situated in the central-western part of the country, at the western end of the Chott el Jerid.
The economy of Nefta is mainly agriculture of which dates are the central export commodity. Tourism is also of some importance. Nefta is also a centre for the trans-Saharan trade. Phosphates are extracted from the Chott el Jerid.
Nefta is an important centre for popular Islam, with several Sufi brotherhoods represented. The large number of small mosques and zawiyyas are a result of their activities. There are 24 mosques in the old quarters and more than 100 zawiyyas.
HISTORY
In Roman times, the place was known as Aggarsel Nepte.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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