On the other hand, the Arabists see a rapprochement with the term of Matra (in the plural Amtar) which means "precipitation", referring to the rainfall level of the region.

This city, the first town council of which is installed on October 12, 1898, was considered to be an important strategical point during the Second World War.

The city is located in the middle of a first-rate agrarian region owing to the fecundity of the lands of the ambient lowland.

An important market is held there every Friday and Saturday in the course of which they notably sell there the stock and grain.

Nearby is the national park of Ichkeul, which contains sites protected by many international institutions (UNESCO and WWF), owing to the diversity of its fauna and flora.