Thala, Tunisia

Place in Kasserine Governorate, Tunisia

Thala

Tāla
تالة

Ruins at Thala

Thala

Location in Tunisia

Coordinates: 35°34′N 8°40′E﻿ / ﻿35.567°N 8.667°E﻿ / 35.567; 8.667
Country|  Tunisia
Governorate| Kasserine Governorate
Government

• Mayor| Abdelmagid Hayouni (Independent)
Elevation

| 1,017 m (3,337 ft)
Population

(2014)[1]

• Total

| 18,230

Thala (Arabic: تالة, romanized: Tāla) is a town and commune in Tunisia. It is located in the Kasserine Governorate since 1956. As of the 2004 census it had 13,968 inhabitants.[1] The altitude of Thala is 1,017 metres (3,337 ft), which makes it the highest and the coldest[2] town in the country.

## History

[edit]

During the Roman Empire Thala was the site of a Roman settlement and was the seat of an ancient bishopric. It still has a titular absentee bishop (currently the auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, Richard Umbers), who is appointed by the Pope.[3]

In 1906, an attack by local bedouin on the French civil administration offices during the Thala-Kasserine Disturbances was the first violent resistance to French authority under the protectorate.[4]

Thala was the scene of fierce fighting during World War II, in the late stages of the Battle of the Kasserine Pass. The 10th Panzer Division sought to exploit its early success against US forces. In a series of defensive actions on 21 February 1943, the British 26th Armoured Brigade, part of Nickforce, and the divisional artillery of the U.S. 9th infantry Division, arriving after an 800-mile forced march, blocked an advance by the German division's Kampfgruppe which, despite coming under the personal command of Erwin Rommel, were finally unable to make headway through fire from British tanks and artillery.[5]

## Geography

[edit]

### Climate

[edit]

The climate in Thala is cold semi-arid (BSk, according to the Köppen climate classification), with Mediterranean influences. Summers are moderately hot (by Saharan standards) and dry, and winters are chilly and wetter. Snowfalls can occur seldom.

Climate data for Thala, Tunisia (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1976–2017)

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Record high °C (°F)  | 21.2
(70.2)  | 27.5
(81.5)  | 29.9
(85.8)  | 30.9
(87.6)  | 38.2
(100.8)  | 39.3
(102.7)  | 41.0
(105.8)  | 40.6
(105.1)  | 39.1
(102.4)  | 33.6
(92.5)  | 27.1
(80.8)  | 24.8
(76.6)  | 41.0
(105.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)  | 9.2
(48.6)  | 10.6
(51.1)  | 13.7
(56.7)  | 17.2
(63.0)  | 22.8
(73.0)  | 28.4
(83.1)  | 32.0
(89.6)  | 31.4
(88.5)  | 26.1
(79.0)  | 21.1
(70.0)  | 14.6
(58.3)  | 10.4
(50.7)  | 19.8
(67.6)
Daily mean °C (°F)  | 5.5
(41.9)  | 6.3
(43.3)  | 8.8
(47.8)  | 11.6
(52.9)  | 16.5
(61.7)  | 21.4
(70.5)  | 24.8
(76.6)  | 24.4
(75.9)  | 19.9
(67.8)  | 16.0
(60.8)  | 10.5
(50.9)  | 6.9
(44.4)  | 14.4
(57.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)  | 2.5
(36.5)  | 2.7
(36.9)  | 4.5
(40.1)  | 6.6
(43.9)  | 10.8
(51.4)  | 15.1
(59.2)  | 18.3
(64.9)  | 18.4
(65.1)  | 15.0
(59.0)  | 11.8
(53.2)  | 7.0
(44.6)  | 3.8
(38.8)  | 9.7
(49.5)
Record low °C (°F)  | −8.4
(16.9)  | −6.9
(19.6)  | −3.2
(26.2)  | −2.5
(27.5)  | 0.4
(32.7)  | 4.9
(40.8)  | 6.9
(44.4)  | 9.5
(49.1)  | 6.3
(43.3)  | 1.8
(35.2)  | −2.9
(26.8)  | −4.6
(23.7)  | −8.4
(16.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches)  | 41.9
(1.65)  | 28.1
(1.11)  | 46.0
(1.81)  | 42.9
(1.69)  | 43.6
(1.72)  | 31.1
(1.22)  | 10.9
(0.43)  | 25.5
(1.00)  | 42.4
(1.67)  | 32.2
(1.27)  | 43.4
(1.71)  | 39.6
(1.56)  | 427.6
(16.84)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 6.5  | 5.4  | 7.0  | 6.7  | 5.5  | 3.6  | 1.5  | 3.8  | 5.4  | 5.0  | 5.6  | 5.4  | 61.4
Average relative humidity (%)  | 74  | 70  | 71  | 67  | 63  | 55  | 47  | 52  | 60  | 67  | 73  | 73  | 64
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 161.7  | 170.4  | 209.8  | 224.5  | 275.4  | 304.1  | 343.7  | 306.2  | 237.2  | 211.9  | 176.5  | 155.8  | 2,777.2
Percent possible sunshine | 53  | 57  | 57  | 58  | 64  | 71  | 78  | 74  | 65  | 62  | 58  | 52  | 63
Source: Institut National de la Météorologie (precipitation days and humidity 1961–1990)[6][7][8][9][note 1]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ The Station ID for Thala is 64646311.[10]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Recensement de 2004 (Institut national de la statistique) Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine (in French)
2. ^ "Thala, Thala Ouest, Thala, Gouvernorat de Kasserine, Tunisia". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
3. ^ Donovan, Ned. "The bishops who've never seen their dioceses". Catholic Herald.
4. ^ Masri, Safwan M. (2017-09-05). Tunisia: An Arab Anomaly. Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-54502-0.
5. ^ United States Army in World War II - Mediterranean Theater of Operations - Northwest Africa: Seizing the Initiative In the West, by George F. Howe, Department of the Army 1957 (pp. 464-466)
6. ^ "Les normales climatiques en Tunisie entre 1981 2010" (in French). Ministère du Transport. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
7. ^ "Climatic Data". Institut National de la Météorologie. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
8. ^ "Données normales climatiques 1961-1990" (in French). Ministère du Transport. Archived from the original on 21 December 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
9. ^ "Les extrêmes climatiques en Tunisie" (in French). Ministère du Transport. Archived from the original on 21 December 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
10. ^ "Réseau des stations météorologiques synoptiques de la Tunisie" (in French). Ministère du Transport. Archived from the original on 2022-10-01. Retrieved 20 December 2019.

* Africa portal

* v
* t
* e

Populated places in Kasserine Governorate

Populated places|

* Binmagta
* Fériana
* Foussana
* Haïdra
* Jedelienne
* Kasserine (Capital)
* Magel Bel Abbès
* Sbeitla
* Sbiba
* Thala
* Thélepte

* v
* t
* e

Communes of Tunisia

| Ariana Governorate|

* Ariana (seat)
* Ettadhamen
* Mnihla
* Kalâat el-Andalous
* Raoued
* Sidi Thabet
* La Soukra

|

Béja Governorate|

* Béja (seat)
* El Maâgoula
* Goubellat
* Medjez el-Bab
* Nefza
* Téboursouk
* Testour
* Amdoun
* Ouchtata
* Slouguia
* Sidi Ismail
* Thibar

Ben Arous Governorate|

* Ben Arous (seat)
* Bou Mhel el-Bassatine
* El Mourouj
* Ezzahra
* Hammam Chott
* Fouchana
* Hammam Lif
* Khalidia
* Mégrine
* Mohamedia
* Mornag
* Radès

Bizerte Governorate|

* Bizerte (seat)
* Aousja
* El Alia
* Ghar El Melh
* Mateur
* Menzel Bourguiba
* Menzel Jemil
* Menzel Abderrahmane
* Metline
* Raf Raf
* Ras Jebel
* Sejenane
* Tinja
* Ghezala
* Joumine
* Utique

Gabès Governorate|

* Gabès (seat)
* Chenini Nahal
* El Hamma
* Ghannouch
* Mareth
* Matmata
* Métouia
* Nouvelle Matmata
* Oudhref
* Zarat
* Bouchemma
* Menzel El Habib
* Teboulbou

Gafsa Governorate|

* Gafsa (seat)
* El Guettar
* El Ksar
* Mdhila
* Métlaoui
* Moulares
* Redeyef
* Sened
* Belkhir
* Lela
* Sidi Aïch

Jendouba Governorate|

* Jendouba (seat)
* Ain Draham
* Beni M'Tir
* Bou Salem
* Fernana
* Ghardimaou
* Oued Melliz
* Tabarka

Kairouan Governorate|

* Kairouan (seat)
* Ain Djeloula
* Alaâ
* Bou Hajla
* Chebika
* Echrarda
* Oueslatia
* Haffouz
* Hajeb El Ayoun
* Menzel Mehiri
* Nasrallah
* Sbikha

Kasserine Governorate|

* Kasserine (seat)
* Fériana
* Foussana
* Haidra
* Jedelienne
* Magel Bel Abbes
* Sbeitla
* Sbiba
* Thala
* Thélepte
* Hassi El Ferid
* El Ayoun
* Ezzouhour

Kébili Governorate|

* Kébili (seat)
* Douz
* El Golâa
* Djemna
* Faouar
* Rjim Maatoug
* Souk Lahad

Kef Governorate|

* Le Kef (seat)
* Dahmani
* Jérissa
* El Ksour
* Kalaat Senan
* Kalâat Khasba
* Menzel Salem
* Nebeur
* Sakiet Sidi Youssef
* Sers
* Tajerouine
* Touiref

Mahdia Governorate|

* Mahdia (seat)
* Bou Merdes
* Chebba
* Chorbane
* El Bradâa
* El Jem
* Essouassi
* Hebira
* Hiboun
* Kerker
* Ksour Essef
* Mellouleche
* Ouled Chamekh
* Rejiche
* Sidi Alouane
* Hkaima
* Sidi Zid
* Tlelsa
* Zelba

Manouba Governorate|

* La Manouba (seat)
* Borj El Amri
* Den Den
* Douar Hicher
* Djedeida
* El Battan
* Oued Ellil
* Mornaguia
* Tebourba

Médenine Governorate|

* Médenine (seat)
* Ajim
* Ben Gardane
* Beni Khedache
* Boughrara
* Houmt Souk
* Midoun
* Zarzis
* Sidi Makhlouf

Monastir Governorate|

* Monastir (seat)
* Amiret El Fhoul
* Amiret El Hojjaj
* Amiret Touazra
* Bekalta
* Bembla-Mnara
* Beni Hassen
* Bennane-Bodher
* Bouhjar
* Cherahil
* El Masdour
* Ghenada
* Jemmal
* Khniss
* Ksar Hellal
* Ksibet el-Médiouni
* Lamta
* Menzel Ennour
* Menzel Farsi
* Menzel Hayet
* Menzel Kamel
* Moknine
* Ouerdanin
* Sayada
* Teboulba

Nabeul Governorate|

* Nabeul (seat)
* Azmour
* Béni Khalled
* Béni Khiar
* Bou Argoub
* Dar Allouch
* Dar Chaabane
* El Haouaria
* El Maâmoura
* El Mida
* Grombalia
* Hammam Ghezeze
* Hammamet
* Kélibia
* Kerkouane
* Korba
* Korbous
* Menzel Bouzelfa
* Menzel Horr
* Menzel Temime
* Soliman
* Somâa
* Takelsa
* Tazerka
* Zaouiet Djedidi

| Sfax Governorate|

* Sfax (seat)
* Agareb
* Bir Ali Ben Khélifa
* Bir Salah
* Chihia
* El Ain
* Graiba
* Gremda
* Jebiniana
* Kerkennah
* El Hencha
* Mahres
* Menzel Chaker
* Sakiet Eddaier
* Sakiet Ezzit
* Skhira
* Thyna
* El Amra

|

Sidi Bouzid Governorate|

* Sidi Bouzid (seat)
* Bir El Hafey
* Cebbala Ouled Asker
* Jilma
* Menzel Bouzaiane
* Meknassy
* Mezzouna
* Ouled Haffouz
* Regueb
* Sidi Ali Ben Aoun
* Al Ahouaz-El Assouda
* Baten Ghzal
* Bennour
* Essaïda
* Mansoura
* Rahal
* Souk Jedid

Siliana Governorate|

* Siliana (seat)
* Bargou
* Bou Arada
* El Aroussa
* El Krib
* Gaâfour
* Kesra
* Makthar
* Rouhia
* Sidi Bou Rouis

Sousse Governorate|

* Sousse (seat)
* Akouda
* Bouficha
* Enfida
* Ezzouhour
* Hammam Sousse
* Hergla
* Kalâa Kebira
* Kalâa Seghira
* Kondar
* Ksibet Thrayet
* Messaadine
* M'saken
* Sidi Bou Ali
* Sidi El Hani
* Zaouiet Sousse
* Chott Meriem

Tataouine Governorate|

* Tataouine (seat)
* Bir Lahmar
* Dehiba
* Ghomrassen
* Remada
* Smâr

Tozeur Governorate|

* Tozeur (seat)
* Degache
* El Hamma du Jérid
* Nefta
* Tamerza
* Hazoua

Tunis Governorate|

* Tunis (seat)
* Carthage
* La Goulette
* La Marsa
* Le Bardo
* Le Kram
* Sidi Bou Said
* Sidi Hassine

Zaghouan Governorate|

* Zaghouan (seat)
* El Fahs
* Djebel Oust
* Bir Mcherga
* Nadhour
* Zriba
* Saouaf

This Tunisia location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

|

* v
* t
* e

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template