KAIRWAN, a large town of Northern Africa, regency of Tunis, and about 80 miles S.S.E. of the city of that name. In extent and importance it ranks as the second city of Tunis, and by Mohammedans is regarded as the holy city of Africa. The great mosque, supported, it is said, by 500 marble or granite pillars, is esteemed the most magnificent, as well as the most sacred, in Barbary. Kairwan was founded by the Arabs about A.D. 670. It stands in a barren, sandy plain, and is surrounded by a low wall having four gates. The houses are generally good, and the streets wide, but there is a great deficiency of water. Yellow Morocco boots and slippers made here are famous for the beauty of their dye. Pop. about 50,000.