Morocco - Agadir
Agadir is one of Morocco's main
western seaports on the Atlantic Ocean. The name is a shortened
version of "Agadir n Irir", a Berber word which means
"a fortified granary".
The Berber fishermen were the
first settlers in the 12th century when the tribe of Ksima Tribe
moved to the region of Agadir. From 1325 to 1540, Portuguese
Traders controlled the area and used Agadir as its main trading
point for the traffic coming up the coast from the south.
The fishing fleet from Agadir
landed over 10% of the national catch in 2000. Morocco is the
largest producer and exporter of sardines in the world and the
biggest fish producer in Africa. So lots of fishermen in this
Atlantic port.
Agadir History
The Berber fishermen were the
first settlers in the 12th century when the tribe of Ksima Tribe
moved to the region of Agadir. From 1325 to 1540, Portuguese
Traders controlled the area and used Agadir as its main trading
point for the traffic coming up the coast from the south.
In
1541 the founder of the Saadian Dynasty, Mohammed Echeikh el
Mehdi, threw out the Portuguese. During this time trade flourished
and Agadir experienced its Golden Age.
In the 17th century the Alaouite
dynasty ousted the Saadians from the land, then the Berber Tazeroualt
dynasty rebelled against the Alaouites and took control of the
Sous region. Under the Berber’s rule, Agadir became a
major port until the Alaouites reclaimed the area and closed
the port.
In 1911 Kaiser Willhelm II, King
of Prussia attempted to set up a naval base which the French
Premier, Joseph Callaux in exchange for a piece of the Congo.
French troops entered the area in 1913. In the 1930s, Agadir
played an important role as a staging post for French airmail
and also gained status as the world’s leading sardine
port. On February 29, 1960, a devastating
earthquake destroyed the city. By 1962, a modern resort town
had been built incorporating the latest seismically sound technology.
Today in Agadir
Agadir is a number one destination
for vacationers in Morocco on the package holiday.
If anybody is looking for a spot for a stag or a hen party,
Agadir will give you the ideal sun destination for that long
weekend of fun only 4 hours by plane from the UK.
A beach resort of many activities:
golf, sailing, tennis, jet ski, scooters, windsurfing, surfing and a beach of fine and golden sand which is over ten kilometres
long
A group of women will have
little to no trouble, but a solo women alone will get some unwelcome
attention, if you have to do it alone wear conservative clothing
and politely refuse or just ignore any unwelcome advances.
As
for the nightlife, women out on their own after midnight watch
out for Cinderella. Otherwise there is a collection of great
Bars and Night Clubs which are open throughout the year.
Souk El Had
Souk El Had. This labyrinth
of 3500 different stores is a main attraction of Agadir. Inside
you will be able to wander for hours drinking mint tea while
sampling the delights of Morocco.
Making your way through the warrens of the Souk Al Had Agadir,
you will have to find the time to drop into Art-du-Desert. If
its Moroccan Art, Jewelry, Carpets
or Leather that you are looking for
this is the place to be. The experience of the team can be felt
by their knowledge and understanding of the products which are
for sale.
