Thimida later be called Henchir Tindja and Tinja or Tindja, was the capital of Hiempsal or he was killed by the famous Jugurtha for the succession of the throne of Numidia.

The etymology of the word Thimida, Berber or Punic origin is the same as that of Tunis (Tunis): the city that guarded the passage between two lagoons.

Thimida was located south-southwest of Lake Bizerte, bounded by two large bodies of water, the lake east of Bizerte and Ichkeul Lake in the west, connected by wadi Tinja. This lake or garaat Ichkeul (Lake Sisera in Roman times) is at the foot of a mountain named Ichkeul 2000 years.

Thimida like all the Punic and Berber fishing port cities used as an important food resource.

The geographer al idrissi born in Ceuta in 1100, reports that the lake provided a singularity of the most remarkable for its fish wealth with every month of the year a dominant fish species. This region is distinguished by the abundance of fish sold cheap.
Idrisi already reported the peculiarity of the region by the two lakes Tindja with its freshwater contacting the salt lake of Bizerte by a canal in the city of Tindja. The first pours its water in the second for 6 months and then the opposite occurs. Without the water of Lake Bizerte is not sweet nor salty Tindja.

Dureau de la Malle (Travel in the regencies of Tunis and Algiers, in 1724 and 1725) reported that the inhabitants have drawn 2 bourdigues presquières or to the beginnings of the 2 channels near Bizerte Tinja and or we take a large amount of especially fish eggs of mullet are removing in August and September for salted and dried is the botargue.

This unique place in the world is now considered a Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO MAB) Site World Cultural and Natural Heritage (UNESCO), as a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Convention).

The occupation of the weather was a milestone in the region metamorphosis.

This site was occupied by several marabouts by at least two agricultural areas of “henchirs” (one on the site of Menzel Bourguiba, the “el Henchir Ksiba”, the other southeast immediate Tindja) on which lived “fellahin” Tunisian, and at least one “Douar” (the douar Goungla).

Indigenous lived by fishing and agriculture.

Bizerte was of paramount importance for France. To achieve this goal military – strategic dice the beginning France in 1896 the creation of a naval base on the southern shore of the western basin. The Sidi Abdallah Arsenal is one of the elements of this port. This naval base founded in the early twentieth century on the south shore of Lake Bizerte played a key role in the birth of a purely colonial city; called “Ferry -town” appellation derived from the name Jules Ferry who imposed the French protectorate in Tunisia.

During the visit of Jules Ferry in Bizerte April 23, 1887, while walking in the Lake of Bizerte he shouted to his companions:

“This lake alone is worth the possession of Tunisia whole, if I took Tunisia is for Bizerte.”

By studying the birth of Ferryville, one can detect the actual colonization in all its military, economic and human. Indeed, the occupation of the bank reflects the following forms of exploitation:

The French exploitation of the region has transformed much of the region into a purely military zone, and industrial. She encouraged Western immigration in order to populate the area and directly connected to France.

In twenty years a new city was created with 6,000 inhabitants with a juxtaposition of several communities: 1500 Tunisians, 1000 French and 3500 foreigners (Italians, Jews, Spanish, etc …)

Ferryville in 1958 was renamed Menzel Bourguiba named former President Habib Bourguiba. The town of Menzel Bourguiba extended west to the shores of Lake Ichkeul and included the Tinja area. For administrative purposes and to better management of urban growth, Tinja and Menzel Bourguiba were divided into two cities in 1985. Today it is a city of more than 60 000 inhabitants. Unlike the twin city Bizerte Tinja and Menzel Bourguiba have lost much of their vocation coastal city because of colonization. Fishing activity has become limited, the beaches are no longer usable. The industrialized town character was consolidated after independence with the creation of the National metallurgical giant. The bequeaths a military city continued; Preventing the city to enjoy its coastal character. In return Menzel Bourguiba won by the richness of the mosaic of its population; it has acquired the character of big cities.

Hoping that one day the region reconciles with his nature, and that industrial pollution will no longer be an impediment to fully enjoy this unique region coveted throughout