Elevation 1,017 m (3,337 ft) Local time Thursday 12:00 PM | Governorate Kasserine Population 13,968 (2004) | |
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Weather 11°C, Wind NW at 11 km/h, 58% Humidity | ||
Thala (Arabic: تالة 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. The altitude of Thala is 1,017 metres (3,337 ft), which makes it the highest and the coldest town in the country.
Contents
Map of Talah, Tunisia
History
During the Roman Empire Thala was the site of a Roman colony called Thélepte, and was the seat of an ancient bishopric.
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, 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.
Climate
The climate in Thala is semi-arid (BSh/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 sometimes.