El Battan is a town and commune in the Manouba Governorate, Tunisia. As of 2004 it had a population of 5,761.[1]
Attached to the governorate of Manouba, it is a municipality with 5,761 inhabitants in 2004[2] and the capital of a delegation of 17,321 inhabitants.
El Batan is located at 36°48'13"N, 9°50'38"E, west of Tunis.
The city is in the center of a large plain where intensive irrigation is practiced. It is also known for the breeding of horses. There is a subsidiary of the National Foundation for the improvement of the horse race. During the French protectorate, El Battan was a strategic location for the settlement of farmers. French-style houses still exist there.
Extract of the Tabula Peutingeriana showing area around El Battan, during 4th century.
A bridge of Roman origin allows travelers to cross the Medjerda. Traditionally, washing and crushing of wool was practiced there, especially for the manufacture of the chechias.
