Quicknation    Tunisia Khniss

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Khniss is a small city in the Sahel region of Tunisia, located 5 km to the south of Monastir. The city was mentioned as a refuge for Arab families returning from Sicily in the 15th century. Some sources mention the migrations of the Sicilians to Khniss in the 10th century on two waves after Sicilia passed under the rule of the Norman king Roger.

Historians do not know the origin of the name of Khniss. It may be from i in Arabic.

Khniss is the origin of the famous Tunisian linguist at the era of the Aghlabites Abu Isaak Al Khounaysy who taught linguistics and grammar in the first African university and research center built by the Aghlabites in Kairouan.

The economic activity of the city was mainly based on olive farming and on fishing. Nowadays, the local economy is more diversified, with an important textile industry. Its population is estimated at around 10,000.