Agadir:
Agadir (Berber (Amazigh):  ) is a major city in southwest Morocco, capital of the Agadir province (MA-AGD) and the Sous-Massa-Draa economic region (#13).
[edit] Etymology
The word Agadir means in Berber "Fortified Granary".
[edit] Description
It has a population of 678,596 (2004; census figures for the agglomeration include the nearby cities of Inezgane and Aït Melloul); the population of the city proper is estimated at 200,000. The mild winter climate (January average midday temperature 20°C/68°F) and good beaches have made it a major "winter sun" destination for Northern Europeans. The mayor is Tariq Kabbaj.
The city is located on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, near the foot of the Atlas Mountains, just north of the point where the Souss River flows into the ocean.
The beach seen from the Anezi Hotel
Agadir seen by SPOT satellite
Agadir is an important fishing and commercial port, the first sardine port in the world, (exporting cobalt, manganese, zinc and citrus).It is also a seaside resort with a long sandy beach. Because of its large buildings, wide roads, modern hotels, and European-style cafés, Agadir is not a typical city of traditional Morocco, but it is a modern, busy and dynamic town.
Agadir is famous for its sea food and agriculture.
The city's main neighbourhoods are:
- Secteur Touristique
- Founty
- Iligh
- Sonaba
- Ihchach
- Les Amicales
- City Centre
- Nouveau Talborjt
- Cité Suisse
- Lakhiyam
- Dakhla
- Extension Dakhla
- Al Houda
- Salam
- Riad Assalam
- Hay al Hassani
- Anza
- L'Erac (Bouargane).
- Quartier Industriel Tasila
- Tilila
- Quartier Residentiel
- Quartier Al mohammadi
It is served by the Al Massira Airport.
[edit] History
During medieval times, there was only a fishing village there, Agadir el-arba`. In 1505 the Portuguese established a trading post named Santa Cruz do Cabo de Gué, under a governor. In 1541, the city came under Wattasid control and in 1572 a stronghold was built on the top of the hill overlooking the bay, the Kasbah. Agadir became prosperous for two centuries.
In 1911, the arrival of a German gunboat (the Panther), officially to protect the local German community, triggered the Agadir Crisis between France and Germany which allowed France, in 1913, to occupy nearly the whole kingdom of Morocco.
At 15 minutes to midnight on February 29, 1960, Agadir was almost totally destroyed by an earthquake that lasted 15 seconds, burying the city and killing thousands. The death toll is estimated at 15,000. The earthquake destroyed the ancient Kasbah. On its front gate can still be read the following sentence in Dutch: "Fear God and honour thy King".
On seeing the destruction in Agadir, King Muhammad V of Morocco declared: "If Destiny decided the destruction of Agadir, its rebuilding depends of our Faith and Will." Reconstruction began in 1961, two kilometers south of the earthquake epicentre.
[edit] Museums
- Musee de Talborjt "La Casbah"
- Musee Bert Flint
- Le Musse des Arts Berberes
- Musee Municipal de Agadir
- Le Sicilien Coco Polizzi (Quartier)
[edit] Hotels
[edit] Education
[edit] Economy
[edit] Christian Community of Agadir
Catholic Church
- ECAM: Eglise Sainte Anne : 115, rue de Marrakech, 80000 Agadir, Website
Evangelical Church
- EEAM: Eglise Evangélique: Rue Djorf (derrière le camping), Website
[edit] Jewish Community of Agadir
- Conseil des Communautes Israelites du Agadir, La Paternal Building, Avenue Hassan II.
- Synagogue Beth El : Rue de la foire, Agadir Maroc
Website
[edit] Beaches
- Agadir has sandy beaches. Its beaches are :dix-sept, Taghazout, Aghroud, Imiouadar, km25.
[edit] Parks and Gardens
- Jardin Olhao
- Jardin Ibn Zaidoun
[edit] Trivia
[edit] Industry
Agadir has a cement works.
[edit] Transportation
Agadir is served by Al Massira Airport, located 22 kilometers from the city.
[edit] Sister cities
Agadir has three sister cities :
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] References
Coordinates: 30°24′00″N 09°36′00″W / 30.4, -9.6
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