The Qerqenah Islands (Kerkennach also known) is a group of three islands, located 34N45 and 11E10. The most prominent island is Ile Chergui (34N47, 11E15) round 55 kilometers long and 6 kilometers wide. Ile Rharbi is the most southern island, connected to Ile Chergui by a street-bridge. The third island in the group is Ile Gremdi, a small sand-bank located near the north-east end of Ile Chergui. All islands are complosited of fine sand, no point is higher as 20 meters above sealeavel. The islands are vegetated with palms, bushes and grass, and are cultivated. The sand is located on a volcanic bank, offshore the mainland.

There are several light on the island, one is located on Ras Ennajet, the most northwestern point of Ile Chergui, one stands on Ras El Ataya on the northeast end, and one is located on Sidi Youssef, close offshore the western most point of Ile Rhabit. The lights were build 100 years ago by the French.

Ile Rhabit and Ile Chergui are inhabited by round 2000 persons, mostely fishermen mostly living in Remla, the main settlement on Ile Chergui. On Ile Chergui stands the most importand fishery of Tunesia, producing more than 10 Tons of fish every month. On the island is a radio station, a coast-guard station and a radar station. These areas are closed for visitors. Today some small trourismus starts on the islands; today are only 500 rooms for tourists.

HISTORICAL NOTE:
The Qerqenah Islands were know by the Greek and named Kyrannis. The Romans named them Cercini and Cercinitis were found on metierranean maps from the 6th century before our time. There are several ruines from this epoch on the islands, used by the Romans as a fishery habour. In the 2nd century before our time the Romans build a small bridge between Ile Chergui and Ile Rhabi. During the time of the Roman War's with Egypt the islands were used as a refuge for troups and several fortifications were built on both main islands.

In the 14th century a monastery was build on the islands, but ruined by Moslems in the 15th century. Later on the island become a base for pirats, destroying all buildings. During that time all inhabitans were transfered on the mainland. In the 16th century the Fort Bjord El Hassar was built on Ile Rharbi, on the highest point.

On Ile Chergui stands a now ruined Spain Fortessa on the Bjord El Hassar, the most higest point on the islands, 22 meters in elevation.

In the 18th century the islands were used as a prison for poilitals. The first who must go into the exil on the island was the Roman Greaccus in 150 before Christ, when he deflorated the doughter of Caesar. Greaccus was inhafted in a special built prison on Ile Gremdi. Later on, when the coast became into the hand of the Omans, the islands were used as a prison for females of the Emirs.