Agadir
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Categories: Cleanup from November 2007 | All pages needing cleanup | Articles to be expanded since January 2007 | All articles to be expanded | All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements since January 2008 | Agadir | Settlements established in 1505 | Former Portuguese colonies | Port cities in Morocco | Souss-Massa-Draâ Region
Agadir (Arabic: أكادير, Berber (Amazigh): Image:Agadir amazigh.jpg) is a city in southwest Morocco, capital of the Souss-Massa-Dra region.
EtymologyThe word Agadir means in Berber "Fortified Granary" and is probably derived from the semitic root "g-d-r" (meaning fence) through Punic or Hebrew.[1] DescriptionIt 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. Image:Agadir.jpg
The beach seen from the Anezi Hotel
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 neighborhoods are:
It is served by the Al Massira Airport.
HistoryDuring 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 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.
MuseumsImage:Mosque Agadir.jpg
Mosque in Agadir
Education
Economy
Christian Community of AgadirCatholic Church
Evangelical Church
Jewish Community of Agadir
BeachesImage:Agadir beach.jpg
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Parks and Gardens
Trivia
TransportationAgadir is served by Al Massira Airport, located 22 kilometers from the city. Sister citiesAgadir has three sister cities :
See alsoExternal links
ar:أكادير bg:Агадир ca:Agadir cs:Agadir da:Agadir de:Agadir et:Agadir es:Agadir eo:Agadir fa:اگادیر fr:Agadir gl:Agadir - اكادير id:Agadir it:Agadir lt:Agadiras mk:Агадир nl:Agadir ja:アガディール no:Agadir pl:Agadir pt:Agadir ro:Agadir ru:Агадир fi:Agadir sv:Agadir uk:Агадір |
