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Agadir
Panorama of the seaside from the kasbah
Agadir Location in Morocco
Coordinates: 30°25′N 9°35′W / 30.417°N 9.583°W / 30.417; -9.583
Country	Morocco
Region	Souss-Massa-Draâ
Elevation	75 ft (23 m)
Population (2004)
- Total	678,596

Agadir (Arabic: أغادير‎ Aġadīr or Agadīr, Berber (Amazigh): ) is a major city in southwest Morocco, capital of the Agadir province (MA-AGD) and the Sous-Massa-Draa economic region (#13).

Etymology

The word Agadir means in Berber "wall, masoned wall enclosing a town, fortress, town".^[1] It is a loanword from Phoenician.^[2]

Description

Agadir 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 20.5°C/69°F)^[3] 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 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.

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. But in 1731, the town was completely destroyed by an earthquake.^[4]

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.

• Agadir Agreement
• Agadir Crisis of 1911
• 1960 Agadir earthquake

Climate

Located along the Atlantic Ocean, Agadir has a very temperate climate. The daytime temperature generally stays in the 20s °C (70s Â°F) every day, with the winter highs typically reaching 20.7°C (70°F) in December-January (see weather-table below). The annual temperatures^[3] are very similar to Nairobi, Kenya, but with much more rainfall, and the mid-year nights are less chilly than Nairobi.

Museums

Mosque Loubnan in Agadir

• Musee de Talborjt "La Casbah"
• Musee Bert Flint
• Le Musse des Arts Berberes
• Musee Municipal de Agadir
• Le Sicilien Coco Polizzi (Quartier)

Economy

Agadir's economy relies mainly on tourism and fisheries. Agricultural activities are based around the city.^[5]

Transportation

Agadir is served by Al Massira Airport, located 22 kilometers from the city. Agadir has the biggest Souk in Morocco (Souk Lhed)

Education

• Ecole Supérieure de Tourisme et Technologie Hôtelière d'Agadir
• University of Agadir (IbnZohr)
• Faculté des Sciences d'Agadir
• Groupe scolaire Paul Gauguin Agadir
• Lycée Qualifiant Youssef Ben Tachfine

Beaches

Agadir beach

• The most beautiful beaches in Morocco are

North of Agadir entourage Taghazout village, dozens of clean, great beach and Smaller ones along the costs agadir-essaouira: Agadir beach,Tamaounza ( 12 km), aitswal-beach, imouran(km 17), Taghazout (km 19), bouyirdn( km 20), timzguida 3lal (km 22), Aghroud (30 km), Imiouadar(27 km),Aghroud (30 km). [1]

Parks and gardens

• Valée des oiseaux (Birds park & valley )
• Jardin Olhao
• Jardin Ibn Zaidoun

Sister cities

Agadir has four sister cities :

• Miami, United States
• Oakland, United States
• Olhão, Portugal
• Nantes, France

See also

• Al Massira Airport

External links

• Agadir berbers Portal

References

• FallingRain Map - elevation = 30m

Coordinates: 30°24′00″N 09°36′00″W / 30.4°N 9.6°W / 30.4; -9.6

Prefectures and provinces of Morocco Prefectures Agadir-Ida Ou Tanane Â· Casablanca Â· Fahs-Anjra Â· Fès-Dar-Dbibegh Â· Inezgane-Aït Melloul Â· Marrakech Â· Meknès-El Menzeh Â· Mohammédia Â· Oujda-Angad Â· Rabat Â· Salé Â· Skhirat-Témara Â· Tangier-Assilah Provinces Al Haouz Â· Al Hoceïma Â· Aousserd Â· Assa-Zag Â· Azilal Â· Ben Slimane Â· Béni-Mellal Â· Berkane Â· Boujdour Â· Boulemane Â· Chefchaouen Â· Chichaoua Â· Chtouka Aït Baha Â· El Hajeb Â· El Jadida Â· El Kelaa des Sraghna Â· Errachidia Â· Es Semara Â· Essaouira Â· Figuig Â· Guelmim Â· Ifrane Â· Jerada Â· Kénitra Â· Khémisset Â· Khénifra Â· Khouribg Â· Laâyoune Â· Larache Â· Médiouna Â· Moulay Yacoub Â· Nador Â· Nouaceur Â· Ouarzazate Â· Oued Eddahab Â· Safi Â· Sefrou Â· Settat Â· Sidi Kacem Â· Tan-Tan Â· Taounate Â· Taourirt Â· Taroudant Â· Tata Â· Taza Â· Tétouan Â· Tiznit Â· Zagora

From Wikitravel

Agadir is a city in the southern part of Morocco. It is of interest primarily because of its location, as it is surrounded by the Antiatlas, the Sahara Desert, many natural parks, and secluded beaches which are all easily accessible from Agadir.

The city of Agadir itself is primarily a tourist resort that is popular with European travelers. It has a beach with all the appropriate facilities for beach-tourism. The city is not especially attractive, nor is it particularly clean or orderly.

• Airport-taxi 150 Dh during the day and 200 Dh during the night (if you arrive during the evening, the change is about 8PM). There is a company that can bring a taxi to your hotel at any time of the day or night and costs the same as taking the taxi in the street. They speak Arabic, French, English and German.
• There is no train connection to Agadir, you can only use the bus as public transport. Agadir's bus station is at the Sahara hotel's parking, and it is possible to take grand taxis there. Inezganeis around 10 kilometres away and is the region's bus hub. It is very usual to arrive there and not at Agadir. The grand taxi to Agadir costs from 4 Dh/person.
• You can also book a taxi online if there are more than 5 people in your group
• You can book a bus or mini bus with driver online.

Go to Inezgene from the airport, which is closer, easier to catch there bus to Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Taroudannt and other places. Not touristic as modern Agadir!

Get around

Most of the Agadir's petit taxi are quite legal and use the taximeter (you can ask the driver to do it without any problems). If you go around the center, they will ask you normally from 10 to 20 Dh.
There are also some buses but, as usual, they are very crowded, slow, and pass with low frequency. The touristic city is small enough to go walking instead of going by bus.

Do

Agadir is primarily a resort; and as such has a limited number of attractions

• The main attraction is the beach, which is very big, without wind and not very crowded.
• There's part of the original fortress which is at the top of the hill beside the city, over the huge painting. It's possible to go there by taxi, bus or even small mopeds that are for rent around of the Hotel Kenzi (they are expensive, more than 100 Dh an hour).
• There is a small zoo, called "Vallée des Oiseaux". The entrance is totally free lately. There is a very nice cage you can walk inside, many birds from all the world, some goat-like animals from the Atlas, and even exotic mammals. The children of Agadir go there to play in a small and crowded playground. To find it, go to the Uniprix, and the main gate is on the other side of the street on the right (Av. Hassan II).

Buy

Agadir is maybe the city with the least charm to buy the typical Moroccan handcraft goods. All the souk is around a big square behind the Uniprix (Blvd. Hassan II with Ave. Sidi Mohammed). There is a concrete building called Marché centrale with many shops inside. Is possible to get in also from Ave. Prince Moulay Abdallah. All the goods are made outside the Agadir region, and it's difficult to find them at a good price. The good thing of buying in Agadir is that there are many fixed-price shops, which is good if you don't know how to haggle well. In fact, you may find that the cheap things you bought in Marrakech are not so cheap!
In the Uniprix shop it is possible to buy small typical pieces in maybe the least authentic shop in Morocco, but the prices are not so high and there is nobody pushing you to buy.

Eat

There are three main zones to eat in Agadir:

• Le Diamant Vert Restaurant,located by the beach and full of music animation.
• New Talbourjt: The cheapest restaurants are here. There are menus for 35 Dh. It's one of the cheapest zones in Morocco for tourists.
• The beach: Next to the beach, there are many restaurants. You can find from international fast food to Indian food, good fish restaurants, etc. It's the most expensive and touristic zone.
• Around the Uniprix: It's the mid price zone. There are touristic restaurants and some restaurants for the local people.

Drink

Agadir is touristically prepared for Europeans, so you can find night clubs in the touristic zones, where you can find more tourists beside the usual locals looking for tourists.

Alcohol is found in all the touristic places.

If you are looking just to talk and drink something during the evening, you can go to the nice and big cafes that are at ave. Hassan II, like La Fontaine, La Veranda, Le Dome, etc. It's a real ritual for many Agadir citizens.

• Anezi Hotel Agadir (Anezi Hotel Agadir), Boulevard Mohamed V BP 29, Agadir, ☎ 00.212.528.84 09 40, [1]. checkin: 2 pm; checkout: noon.
  
  The Anezi Hotel is a 4-stars hotel located in Agadir Morocco, right behind the city's sandy beach. The Hotel has a commanding position with a magnificent view of the bay and the city, and shopping venues can be found in the town center, or the bazaar market, which are just a short walk away from the Anezi. The Agadir Al Massira Airport is 19 miles/30 km away, and it takes approximately a 25-minute drive to get there. Anezi Hotel's welcoming atmosphere together with its excellent services, make it a great accommodation for holidays in Agadir Morocco. Guests can keep in shape in the gym, have a swim in one of the 3 beautiful outdoor pools, or relax in the health club with a sauna, or a massage. Your children will be entertained in the kids club, while you can unwind enjoying a cool drink from one of the three bars. Amenities of this Agadir Hotel include conference and banqueting facilities, and there is a business center, where guests can access the Internet. In the evening, the traditional Moroccan-style restaurant Fez features live folk music, the hotel restaurant serves a buffet, including salads, chicken dishes, fish tagine specialties, fresh fruit, Moroccan cakes and soups, and there is also a pizza restaurant. Moreover, the city center with many restaurants, cafes, shops, and its bustling night life is only stone's throw away. from 60.00.  edit
• ATLAS KASBAH Ecolodge, Tighanimine ElBaz - Drarga, ☎ 00.212.661.488.504, [2]. checkin: 2 pm; checkout: noon. Located only 20 minutes from Agadir, This ecolodge is the perfect place to discover centuries-old Berber culture and the unesco Argan Biosphere Reserve. It features gourmet food using fresh and natural product especially ones from the organic garden of the Kasbah. The objectives of the ecolodge is to provide a comfortable and educational experience for guests by learning about local customs, food and traditions as well as the natural environment. Thus, it is a learder in the Souss region in alternative technology and high environmental standards as well as positive economic side effects for the local population. from 60.00. (N 30° 26’ 3,8’ ’,W 9° 29’ 31,1’) edit

Check out the 4 Star Hotel Jacaranda Golf Hotel Agadir. Every comfort and great food and lovely pool and gardens

If you're on a budget, Hotel Diaf is a great place to stay. Its just near where the bus stops (1 min walk), right next to an internet cafe and about 20 mins walk or a 6dh taxi ride(don't forget to get them to turn the meter on)to the seafront. It is possible to stay in a room on the roof with a double bed and a single for 100dh! The best thing is, it has an amazing warm shower with a large showerhead. The rooms definitely have a "backpackers" feel, but its a great, and cheap, experience.

• Hotel Tiznit Beach Resort,1 Rue des Amicales Bloc C, Agadir, Morocco. bungalow-style beachfront hotel built on a five-hectare site amidst landscaped gardens, 600 metres from the city centre.
• Hotel Sud Bahia, Rue des Administrations Publiques, Agadir 335, Morocco. Four-storey with 246 rooms 400 meters from the beach in the center of Agadir and with an outdoor pool.
• Hotel Petit Suede, [3]. Close to the centre, rooms with shower (shared toilet) from 170 dh, very clean, breakfast served in a rooftop eatery. Street-facing rooms can be a bit noisy.  edit

• At 40km south from Agadir, there is the Souss-Massa river national park
• At about 80km east from Agadir, there is the city of Taroudannt, which is worth the visit if you don't plan to visit Marrakech or other big historical cities.
• The coast northern to Agadir has very nice and accessible beaches, like Taghazout at 15 km. You can get to these towns using the Zetrap bus line: 60 and 'RATAG' bus line: 12 that leave from the center of Agadir.