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Agadir (اكادير in arabic) is a city in southwest Morocco, capital of the Souss-Massa-Dra region. It has a population of 678,596 (2004 census figure including near cities of Inezgane and Aït Melloul) for the agglomeration and an estimated 200,000 for the city proper. 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. Its mayor is currently 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 Sous River empties into the sea.

Founded by the Portuguese around 1500, the city came under Moroccan control in 1526. In 1911, the arrival of a German gunboat (the Panther), officialy to protect the German community established in the area, triggered the Agadir Crisis between France and Germany, that eventually lead to the French protectorate upon Morroco in 1913.

Agadir was almost totally destroyed by an earthquake on February 29, 1960, at quater to midnight, that lasted 15 seconds. The old city was eventually buried, and an estimated 15,000 people perished. The ancient Kasbah on the summit of Cap Ghir hill, who was built in 1540, has been reduced to ruins by the earthquake of 1960. On its front gate can still be read the following sentence in Dutch : "Fear God and honor thy King".

After watching the destruction in Agadir, then King of Morroco Muhammad V declared : If Destiny decided the destruction of Agadir, its rebuilding depends of our Faith and Will. Eventually, work started by year 1961, and modern-day Agadir was rebuilt two kilometers south of the earthquake epicenter and is now a seaport and seaside resort with a large sandy beach. Because of its large buildings, wide roads, modern hotels, and European style cafés, some consider it not typically Moroccan. Agadir is famous for its sea foods and also for agriculture.

The main neighborhoods of the city are:

• Secteur Touristique
• Les Amicales
• Nouveau Talborjt
• Cité Suisse
• Dakhla
• Anza
• L'Erac.

It is served by the Al Massira Airport.

See also: Agadir Crisis

External links

• Agadir-Info Informations Sport, Hotels und Restaurants. Hotel Agadir guide.
• Agadir entry in Lexicorient
• Le portail des Amazighs du Maroc
• Agadir at the Magic Morocco

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