Gafsa Governorate (Arabic: ولاية قفصة Wilāyat Qafṣah pronounced [ˈɡɑf.sˤɑ]) is one of the 24 governorates of Tunisia. It is situated in central Tunisia, bordering Algeria. It covers an area of 8,990 km² and has a population of 324,000 (2004 census). The capital is Gafsa.
The following cities and towns are located in the Gafsa Governorate:
Gafsa (Arabic: قفصة Qafṣa) is the capital of Gafsa Governorate of Tunisia. Its name was appropriated by archaeologists for the Mesolithic Capsian culture. With a population of 84,676, it is the 9th Tunisian city.
The city had 84,676 inhabitants at the 2004 census. Contemporary Gafsa is a modern town, and the centre of the Djerid area's important phosphate industry. Of note are the Roman baths, still used today. The city lies 369 km by road southwest of Tunis. Its geographical coordinates are 34°25′N 8°47′E / 34.417°N 8.783°E / 34.417; 8.783.
In January 2008 Gafsa was the epicentre of a popular spontaneous uprising protesting against the corruption and nepotism of the country's authoritarian regime of president Ben Ali. The uprising was swiftly suppressed and went unreported in the state-controlled Tunsian media. Youtube was blocked in Tunisia because it carried video footage from the riots and information about the subsequent treatment of its instigators by the Tunisian regime. [1]
In Roman times, Gafsa was known as Capsa. It has given name to the Mesolithic Capsian industry.
Pharrell Williams (born April 5, 1973), commonly known simply as Pharrell, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, composer, and fashion designer. Williams and Chad Hugo make up the record production duo The Neptunes, producing hip hop and R&B music. He is also the lead vocalist and drummer of hip-hop band N.E.R.D, which he formed with Hugo and childhood friend Shay Haley. He released his first single "Frontin'" in 2003 and followed up with his first album In My Mind in 2006.
As part of The Neptunes, Williams has produced numerous hit singles for various musicians. The two have earned three Grammy Awards amongst ten nominations. He is also the co-founder of the clothing brands Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream Clothing. He is a member of the supergroup V.A. Playaz with Fam-Lay, Clipse, Skillz, Missy Elliott, and Timbaland & Magoo.
Pharrell Williams was born on April 5, 1973, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the eldest of three sons of Carolyn, a teacher, and Pharaoh Williams, a handyman. He met Chad Hugo in a seventh-grade summer band camp where Williams played the keyboards and drums and Hugo played tenor saxophone. They were also both members of a marching band; Williams played the snare drum while Chad was student conductor. With Hugo, Williams attended Princess Anne High School where they played in the school band; there he got the name Skateboard P.