AGADIR :: LOCAL OVERVIEW

Agadir is Morocco's main western seaport on the Atlantic Ocean. The name is a shortened version of "Agadir n Irir", a Berber word which means "a fortified granary".

Agadir is a fine modern city with a host of excellent hotels, wide avenues, gardens in bright bloom, a magnificent port and a first-rate airport-and, above all, a splendid beach stretching for six kilometres, the air scented by pine, eucalyptus and tamarisk.

From a cliff-road flanking the hill, the Old Kasbah, dating from the 16th century, overlooks the azure spread of the ocean, the verdant valleys of the Great Souss and the majestic slopes of the Anti-Atlas. Agadir is not only the kingdom's main fishing-port, it is also its first holiday haven, and the city is very much organized around seeing to the comfort of its visitors.

Bathed in sunshine the whole year round, the city offers facilities for sailing, horse-riding, tennis, golf and a host of other sports activities. Those in search of the quiet life may simply lounge in the shade of a eucalyptus, sipping a fresh fruit cocktail.

Perched between the mountainous regions of the Anti-Atlas and the western extreme of the High Atlas, Agadir is a departure point for a variety of marvellous excursions.

Agadir is the country's leading fishing port and fourth ranking commercial port. It includes a large number of canned food and frozen fish factories.

To the Southeast of the city, an open air market spread out over more than 6 hectares this market is jam packed with merchandise including a huge variety of spices.