Monday 31 March 2014

Casablanca

Casablanca, more commonly known as " Casa " is a dynamic showcase of modern Morocco . Real economic and financial engine of the national economy , it now generates 50 % of the National GDP. Its port attracts three quarters of national, international airport is the first in the country . The metropolis also undergoing a transformation of its economy and today deploys its assets in the tertiary and services sector , especially in technology.

In a century , the modest town of Anfa became a metropolis of over four million people and one of the largest cities in Africa. But if Casa was born in the early 19 th century, the site was occupied for a long time : they found in Sidi Abderrahmane , near Anfa , the remains of a Neolithic settlement . In 17 th century the Phoenicians made the site a step on the road to Essaouira . The city will know its resurgence thanks to Sultan Mohammed Ben Abdallah giving it a large mosque and Zaouïas and then took the city of Dar el- Beida , the "white house ."

It is from 1781 , when the Spanish settled here counters that the Spanish translation , Casa Blanca, spread . European traders settled there and in the early nineteenth century , the French get the Sultan Abdelaziz build a port. Casablanca, considered the first port of Morocco from 1920 , it also became in 1925 the first stop airlines Latécoère ( future Aeropostal ) connecting Toulouse to Dakar

After the establishment of the Protectorate , Lyautey and his architect Henri Prost engage in the implementation of modern city building wide boulevards lined with large and beautiful buildings . It is in this city that will be built the first factory and will launched the first union. In 1950 , Casablanca is a dynamic commercial center whose urban experiencing a boom . Unions , which have set up their seats, play an important role in the nationalist struggle , especially during the 1952 riots and insurrections of 1953 and 1955.

The unforgettable film " Casablanca ," Michael Curtiz in 1942 , starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart made the city famous worldwide . We spake of Casablanca when Marcel Cerdan , who grew up in the neighborhood of Sea Sultan , became world champion boxing in 1948. A year later , he died in a plane crash when he was about to marry the singer Edith Piaf.

After the independence of Morocco in 1956, Casablanca remains the economic hub of the country, while Rabat is the political capital. The city continues to grow and now exceeds three million inhabitants. Urban Management Greater Casablanca is the real challenge for the twenty-first century city.

Hassan II Mosque

Inaugurated in August 1993, she became the symbol of Casablanca even throughout Morocco. Located on the seafront, facing the Atlantic Ocean is the second largest mosque in the world after Mecca. All related statistics are disproportionate. We note the ability of the court that can accommodate up to 100,000 believers and prayer hall around 25,000. Its cost was fully funded by donors Moroccan volunteers. It is built of white marble and the tour is open to non-Muslims.

Agadir

Southern capital and largest fishing port of Morocco , Agadir owes its current fame to its extraordinary range of more than 6 km of fine golden sand , and its 300 days of sunshine per year. Its ultramodern international airport makes a site accessible by the world.

Rebuilt away from areas at risk, with seismic methods , Agadir is a welcoming white city, ornate sitting gardens, which rise sculptural and monumental buildings such as the Casbah still reflects the glorious past of the city.

Agadir has around 700 ( in French Gadiris tachelhit Arabic Gougadir / Oultougadir , Gadiri / Gadiria ), the great Agadir meanwhile, has more than 850,000 inhabitants . The city is one of Morocco 's major urban centers , the population density is quite high.

Devastated by an earthquake in 1960, the city has been completely rebuilt . It is now one of the largest resorts in Morocco where many tourists come , attracted by an exceptionally mild climate throughout the year.

Other buildings are the hallmark of the city including the fishing port considered the first exporting port Sardine Morocco and the Berber traditional Southern art museum. The many restaurants on the corniche seafront allow enjoy a varied menu in a musical atmosphere with splendid views of the beach.

Other units, the climate of the city is another advantage: the winter is cool and humid with a temperature of 25 ° C during this period! Summer is cooler and the temperature crosses 25 ° C and 30 ° C. Near the town are the steps to discovering the history and Berber traditions , including Tiznit , Taroudant and Tafraoute .

Taken together, these strengths enable the city to be placed at the forefront of seaside attractions of Morocco where it is possible to play tennis , golf, sailing , horse riding, try waterskiing , diving , the big game fishing ... revel in fresh fish, typical dishes of the best gastronomy Maghreb ...

Agadir was winning on two occasions in 2007, first by the International Tourism Federation (ITF), which awarded him a gold medal of honor for the considerable efforts. Agadir has also been awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) by awarding the ecolabel "Blue Flag" in recognition of efforts by the municipality of Agadir. Also, The Tourist Agadir is a member of the association Club the most beautiful bays in the world.

Agadir is twinned with the following cities:

Nantes (France)
Olhão (Portugal)
Miami (United States)
Oakland (United States)

Agadir is a tourist destination to recommend if you find the winter sun! Its huge sandy beach is over 20 km long and is found ensolleillement average about 300 days per year. Temperatures range between 18-27 ° in August and 7-18 ° in January. Note however that the heat wave can strike hard in summer. Finally, the average water temperature is about 22 °.

Sunday 30 March 2014

Rabat

Rabat, capital of Morocco located in the north of the country, on the Atlantic coast, on the left bank of the mouth of Bouregreg, opposite the city of Salé. Rabat is the great political and administrative center of the country, where the royal palace, government agencies and embassies.
The word Rabat literally means "Fortified Place"; is the capital and fifth largest city of Morocco with an urban population of approximately 620,000 (2004) and a metropolitan population of over 1.2 million. It is also the capital of the Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaer administrative region. The city is located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg. On the facing shore of the river lies Salé, the city's main commuter town. Rabat, Temara, and Salé form together a conurbation of over 1.8 million people. Silt-related problems have diminished Rabat's role as a port; however, Rabat and Salé still maintain important textile, food processing and construction industries. In addition, tourism and the presence of all foreign embassies in Morocco serve to make Rabat one of the most important cities in the country. Rabat is accessible by train through the ONCF system and by plane through the nearby Rabat-Salé Airport. The Moroccan capital was recently awarded second place in "Top Travel Destinations of 2013" by CNN.

Rabat has a relatively modern history compared to the ancient city of Salé. In 1146, the Almohad ruler Abd al-Mu'minturned Rabat's ribat into a full scale fortress to use as a launching point for attacks on Iberia. In 1170, due to its military importance, Rabat acquired the title Ribatu l-Fath, meaning "stronghold of victory," from which it derives its current name.

Yaqub al-Mansur (known as Moulay Yacoub in Morocco), another Almohad Caliph, moved the capital of his empire to Rabat. He built Rabat's city walls, the Kasbah of the Udayas and began construction on what would have been the world's largest mosque. However, Yaqub died and construction stopped. The ruins of the unfinished mosque, along with theHassan Tower, still stand today.

Yaqub's death initiated a period of decline. The Almohad empire lost control of its possessions in Spain and much of its African territory, eventually leading to its total collapse. In the 13th century, much of Rabat's economic power shifted toFez. In 1515 a Moorish explorer, El Wassan, reported that Rabat had declined so much that only 100 inhabited houses remained. An influx of Moriscos, who had been expelled from Spain, in the early 17th century helped boost Rabat's growth.

Rabat hosts neighborhoods as diverse as Agdal, Souissi, Ryad (residential and rich), and Ocean Aviation and Ben Yacoub Mansour. Salt, which is part of the conurbation, for its part, a dormitory suburb connected to Rabat by a bridge. Surrounded by ramparts, the capital of the Kingdom possesses a rich architectural heritage which has many monuments like the enclosure doors of the Casbah Oudaïa, the minaret of the Hassan mosque (XII century), which is 55 m, one of the few vestiges of this unfinished building and close to the city, the necropolis of Chellah. The city has several museums (archeology, crafts). It is the seat of the University Mohammed V (1957) and several cultural and educational institutions.

Ouarzazate, Holywood of Morocco

The threshold of the great south stands the majestic Ouarzazate, striking blend oases, kasbahs and flourishing valleys.
A vast desert plateau that attract tourists from different nationalités.A the shade of palm trees, Ouarzazate moved leaving behind a rocky vastness swept by the winds of the Sahara . Certainly , the temperature can easily reach 45 ° C in summer or next door, we could see the snowy peaks of the High Atlas.Aussi benefits does this contrast to attract a lot of visitors: filmmakers, hungry for tourists adventures , writers seeking serenity and peace , and those who only want to spend a holiday.
Ouarzazate has an extensive infrastructure : several resorts, luxury hotels , agencies, car rentals, travel agencies, a golf club , a convention center and an international airport . In addition , it is the crossing point of many rallies , marathons and hiking .
Ouarzazate is the Hollywood of Morocco. She has several film studios that could include " Atlas Corporation Studio " and " Kanzaman " studio these are not accessible to tourists during filming.
Oases and mountains around Ouarzazate contain real wonders. Kasbahs , with their splendid architectural remains adobe walls and towers , transport you to a world where time seems to have stopped .
Ouarzazate is relatively small (~60 000 inhabitans) and for Morocco quiet town, built mostly along main street - Avenue Muhammed V. Ouarzazate is situated at an elevation of 1,135 metres. Its name comes from a Berber phrase meaning "without noise" or "without confusion". Once in its history, Ouarzazate had been crossing point for African traders seeking to reach northern cities in Morocco and Europe. During the French period, Ouarzazate expanded considerably as a garrison town and administrative centre. It is a largest town in moroccan sahara.

This is a city from the bowels of the earth in the desert in the south of the Kingdom, with a variety of decors. Burning sand , snow-capped peaks, verdant palm groves and oases , haughty ksours , fortified villages and stunning kasbah , this is the charm of an idyllic town in another millennium. Ouarzazate city convergence of cultures and crafts , marks the starting point of the road oasis. It is at the crossroads between the Draa Valley , who digs up his bed - Agadir- Dades from the High Atlas and the Ziz that feeds the immense palm grove of Tafilalet before getting lost in the sands of Taouz .

Two magnificent kasbahs catch the traveler, dazzled by so much beauty: the Taourit and that of Ait Ben Haddou, located 30 km from the city . The reputation of these two "monuments" is such that films like " Lawrence of Arabia" and " The Sheltering Sky " have set up shop. And ultimate coronation UNESCO declared these two kasbahs World Heritage.

In Ouarzazate, endowed with splendid and luxurious hotels, you can mark a break before venturing into the wilderness where all kinds of sensations decorate the trip. We will discover with amazement Kelâa M'gouna of the most beautiful rose gardens in the valley, the ancient Kasbah Glaoui balanced on a rock, the Dades gorges, huge limestone block cut of a saber . Ziz Valley, it punctuates the road to the desert. The Oued Ziz, lined with tall palm trees from which emerge ksours and sublime Kasbah IFRI form an emerald sheet that offers a dazzling spectacle. Once through the door Erfoud is the desert in all its nakedness and splendor.

Between Ouarzazate and Marrakech, the High Atlas, which can be seen in the distance during the descent of Er Rachidia to Ouarzazate, a natural barrier. The road passes through one borrows somehow, but moisture-laden winds and ocean freshness, do not succeed. Therefore, when we take the road to Marrakech, one of a semi-arid desert first 2260 m passes through a landscape of high altitude, culminating in the Tizi-n-Tichka (above sea level), and then, as one descends to Marrakech palm trees and greenery were rediscovered. The air is warmer and more humid.

Ifrane, Switzerland of Morocco

Switzerland of Morocco, mountain landscapes (Middle Atlas) this time barely 1 hour drive from Fes and its colorful and noisy Medina. Here, depending on the season, you can ski or hike to leave the lakes.
How sweet it is Ifrane and exquisite beauty, "sang Brahim Alami. His real name Ourti (garden Tamazight), Ifrane is the most popular Moroccan summering center. Ifrane province is located in the heart of the Middle Atlas with an area of 3573 km2. It is inhabited by two major Sanhaja tribes, and Blessed Blessed M'guild M'tir. Mountain resort, this city has become a mecca for winter sports. With its chalets roofs covered with red tiles, is located at 1650 m altitude.
Its natural resources have led officials in the region to create a National Park 53000 ha. It is in this region that has the largest cedar forest in the country. His real name Ourti (garden Tamazight), Ifrane is the Moroccan summering center fréquenté.Ses most lakes are essential for fishing trout and pike. It is also a pastoral region and has an experimental station for the study of animal behavior. "How sweet it is Ifrane and exquisite beauty," sang Brahim Alami.

His real name Ourti (garden Tamazight), Ifrane is the most popular Moroccan summering center. The first traces of human settlement in the region date back to the Neolithic. Caves such as those Tizguite and archaeological remains dating back to prehistoric times to Zerouka, Ghabt Al Bahr and Itto testify.
It is a tribute to the distant past in 1928 by Vizierial stopped, the protectorate authorities decided to create a summering center called Ifrane (caves Tamazight). Two projects of creating a summering station were proposed to Eirik Labonne, general secretary of the protectorate. The first was that of the current city of Ifrane and opted for the second city of Moha or Ksiba Said.

Ifrane province is located in the heart of the Middle Atlas and extends over an area of 3573 km2. It is inhabited by two major Sanhaja tribes, and Blessed Blessed M'guild M'tir which flows northward "was arrested in the fifteenth century by the belt Casbahs founded by Sultan Moulay Ismail, which was to effect of promoting the creation of core settlement of nomads and allowed the formation of agglomerations as Azrou and Ain Leuh.
Mountain resort , after Ifrane became a mecca for winter sports. With many chalets with red-tiled roofs built by the French , this city is located 1650 m above sea level. Each villa carries with it features: roofs, red tiles, some argue that certain assumptions, including those relating to their slopes . Indeed , these vary from the obtuse angle to the acute angle through the right angle. These inclinations and recall the evolution of the architecture of buildings in France from South to North , ie the Côte d' Azur in the English Channel.

The visitor can even notice the existence of fronts typically Normandy or Brittany or Alsace . By a sense of nostalgia, and each wanted to transpose the French fashion house of his country of origin and store at the same time passing . A French who lived in Ifrane 1936-1992 confided " about the evolution of the urban fabric of the city, in fact the makers of the time wanted to make this a city where French will not feel at any time disoriented . "
Ifrane province has huge tourism potential: varieties and diversities of paysageslacs and streams and a mild climate. Its natural resources make it a tourist destination of choice for hiking, hunting wild boar, partridge and the hare. Lakes are essential for fishing trout and pike. It is also a pastoral region and has an experimental station for the study of animal behavior.

This potential has led officials in the region to create a national park extending over an area of 53,000 ha and an excellent representative sample of the Middle Atlas mountains. This is where we find the largest cedar forest in Morocco. Finally, this region has the largest core camps and camps of the Kingdom.