Everything about Agadir totally explained
Agadir (
Arabic:
أكادير,
Berber (Amazigh): ) is a city in southwest
Morocco, capital of the
Souss-Massa-Dra region.
Etymology
The word
Agadir means in Berber "Fortified Granary" and is probably derived from the semitic root "g-d-r" (meaning fence) through Punic or Hebrew.
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.
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 isn't a typical city of traditional Morocco, but it's a modern, busy and dynamic town.
Agadir is famous for its
sea food and
agriculture.
The city's main neighbourhoods are:
- Secteur Touristique & Fonty
- Les Amicales
- City Centre
- Nouveau Talborjt
- Cité Suisse
- Lakhiyam
- Dakhla
- Anza
- L'Erac (Bouargane).
- Quartier Industriel
- Quartier Residentiel
It is served by the
Al Massira Airport.
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 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 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.
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)
Hotels
Hotel-Agadir.com
: Hotels and Riads in Agadir...
Education
Institut Supérieur d'Informatique Appliquée et de Management (ISIAM)
Ecole Polytechnique Privée d'Agadir
Ecole Supérieure de Tourisme et Technologie Hôtelière d'Agadir
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
Lycée Youssef Ben Tachefine
ENSA L'Ecole Nationale des Sciences Appliquees d' Agadir
ENCGA, École Nationale de Commerce et de Gestion de Agadir
Faculté des Sciences Agadir
Economy
CRI Agadir Regional Investment Office
CCIS The Chamber of Commerce of Industry and Services in Agadir
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
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
Beaches
Agadir has sandy beaches. Its beaches are :dix-sept, Taghazout, Aghroud, Imiouadar, km25.
Agadir Diving Ecole de Plongee au Maroc
Parks and Gardens
Jardin Olhao
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".
Transportation
Agadir is served by Al Massira Airport, located 22 kilometers from the city.
Sister cities
Agadir has three sister cities :
Olhão, Portugal
Nantes, France
Miami, United StatesFurther Information
Get more info on 'Agadir'.
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