Panorama of the seaside from the kasbah
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 current 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.
Today, 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 famous 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 neighborhoods are:
Secteur Touristique
Les Amicales
City Centre
Nouveau Talborjt
Cité Suisse
Dakhla
Anza
L'Erac.
Quartier Industriel
Quartier Residentiel
It is served by the Al Massira Airport.
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.
Today, 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 famous 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 neighborhoods are:
Secteur Touristique
Les Amicales
City Centre
Nouveau Talborjt
Cité Suisse
Dakhla
Anza
L'Erac.
Quartier Industriel
Quartier Residentiel
It is served by the Al Massira Airport.
The beach seen from the Anezi Hotel
History
During medieval times, there was only a fishermen village there, Agadir el-arba`.
In 1505 the Portuguese established there 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 establish a protectorate over 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 honor 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 epicenter.
Agadir Agreement
Agadir Crisis of 1911
1960 Agadir earthquake
In 1505 the Portuguese established there 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 establish a protectorate over 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 honor 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 epicenter.
Agadir Agreement
Agadir Crisis of 1911
1960 Agadir earthquake
Museums
Musee de Talborjt "La Casbah"
Musee Bert Flint
Le Musse des Arts Berberes
Musee Municipal de Agadir
Le Sicilien Coco Polizzi (Quartier)
Musee Bert Flint
Le Musse des Arts Berberes
Musee Municipal de Agadir
Le Sicilien Coco Polizzi (Quartier)
Mosque in Agadir
Education
University of Agadir
Ircam Institut Royal de La Culture Amazighe
Institut Francais d'Agadir
lycée français d'Agadir
Ecole superieure de technologie d'Agadir
Groupe scolaire Paul Gauguin Agadir
ENSA L'Ecole Nationale des Sciences Appliquees d' Agadir
ENCGA, École Nationale de Commerce et de Gestion de Agadir Ecole Polytechnique Privee d'Agadir
Economy
Christian Community of Agadir
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
Parks and Gardens
Jardin Olhao
Jardin Ibn Zaidoun
Jardin Ibn Zaidoun
Trivia
Agadir was mentioned in "Disappear," a 2001 song by R.E.M. in their album Reveal.
Agadir has two sister cities (according to Sister Cities International) - Miami, Florida and Oakland, California.
Agadir features in the Mike Batt song "Ride to Agadir" on the solo album "Schizophonia" featuring the London Symphony Orchestra.
Agadir and its children and Jewish market are mentioned in the memoirs of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry "Wind,_Sand_and_Stars".
Agadir has two sister cities (according to Sister Cities International) - Miami, Florida and Oakland, California.
Agadir features in the Mike Batt song "Ride to Agadir" on the solo album "Schizophonia" featuring the London Symphony Orchestra.
Agadir and its children and Jewish market are mentioned in the memoirs of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry "Wind,_Sand_and_Stars".
Transportation
Agadir is served by Al Massira Airport, located 22 kilometers away from the city.
See also
Sources, references and External links
Agadir Portal
Agadir berbers Portal
Go Agadir
WorldStatesmen- Morocco
Agadir-Info Information Sport, Hotels und Restaurants. Hotel Agadir guide.
Agadir entry in Lexicorient
Agadir at the Magic Morocco
AgadirInou.Com : Portal Of Agadir
Jewish Community of Agadir Picture album of the community.
Agadir Souss Collaborative Blog about Agadir and its Region.
Agadir berbers Portal
Go Agadir
WorldStatesmen- Morocco
Agadir-Info Information Sport, Hotels und Restaurants. Hotel Agadir guide.
Agadir entry in Lexicorient
Agadir at the Magic Morocco
AgadirInou.Com : Portal Of Agadir
Jewish Community of Agadir Picture album of the community.
Agadir Souss Collaborative Blog about Agadir and its Region.