Nefta

Nefta, also spelled Nafṭah, oasis town situated in southwestern Tunisia. It lies on the northwest shore of Chott El-Jarid (Shaṭṭ Al-Jarīd), a saline lake that is an important source of phosphates. It was known to the Romans as Aggarsel Nepte. Nefta has many small mosques and is an important Sufi centre, where shrines and the tombs of many local holy figures are located. It is also a date-growing and trans-Saharan transport centre; the town is famous for its palm wine, made from dates. The larger oasis of Tozeur (Tawzar) is 15 miles (24 km) east-northeast. Pop. (2004) 20,308.