Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador)*
UNESCO World Heritage Site
State Party	Morocco
Type	Cultural
Criteria	ii, iv
Reference	753
Region†	Arab States
Inscription history
Inscription	2001  (25th Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. † Region as classified by UNESCO.

Essaouira (Arabic: الصويرة‎, eṣ-ṣauīrah; formerly known as Mogador, its older name) is a city and tourist resort in western Morocco, on the Atlantic coast. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex As of 2008 there are a total of 878 World Heritage Sites located in 145 "State Parties" Morocco (المغرب "al-Maghrib" officially the Kingdom of Morocco (المملكة المغربية is a country located in North Africa A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language A city is an Urban area with a large Population and a particular Administrative, Legal, or Historical status Morocco (المغرب "al-Maghrib" officially the Kingdom of Morocco (المملكة المغربية is a country located in North Africa

History

Archaeological research shows that Essaouira has been occupied since prehistoric times. Archaeology, archeology, or archæology (from Greek grc ἀρχαιολογία archaiologia – grc ἀρχαῖος archaīos Stone Age Paleolithic See also Paleolithic, Recent African Origin, Early Homo sapiens, Early human migrations "Paleolithic" The bay at Essaouira is partially sheltered by the island of Mogador, making it a peaceful harbour protected against strong marine winds. An island (ˈaɪlənd or isle (/ˈaɪl/ is any piece of land that is completely surrounded by water in two dimensions above high tide and isolated from other significant A harbor or harbour (see spelling differences) or haven, is a place where ships may shelter from the Weather or are stored

Essaouira has long been considered as one of the best anchorages of the Moroccan coast. The coast is defined as the part of the land adjoining or near the Ocean. During the 5th century BC, she was visited by the Carthaginian navigator Hanno, who established a trading post there. The 5th century BC started the first day of 500 BC and ended the last day of 401 BC. Carthage (Καρχηδών Karkhēdōn, Carthago from the Phoenician קרת חדשת phn-Latn Qart-ḥadašt meaning new town) refers Hanno the Navigator was a Carthaginian explorer who flourished c Around the end of the 1st century BC or early 1st century AD, Juba II established a Tyrian purple factory, processing the murex and purpura shells found in the intertidal rocks at Essaouira and the Iles Purpuraires. The 1st century BC started the first day of 100 BC and ended the last day of 1 BC. Juba II ( Iuba in Latin Ιóβας (Ιóβα or Ιουβας in Greek) or Juba II of Numidia (reigned 25 BC - 23 AD was a king Murex is a Genus of medium to large sized Predatory tropical sea Snails These are carnivorous marine Gastropod Purpura (from the Latin purpura, meaning "purple" is the appearance of red or purple discolorations on the Skin, caused by Bleeding underneath Iles Purpuraires are a set of small Islands off the western coast of Morocco at the bay located at Essaouira. This dye was used to colour the purple stripe in Imperial Roman Senatorial togas. A dye can generally be described as a Colored substance that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is being applied The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial The Roman Senate was a political institution in Ancient Rome. This article is about the aviation term for the Roman garment see Toga.

During the Middle Ages, a muslim saint named Sidi Mogdoul was buried in Essaouira. A Muslim (مسلم pronounced Muslim, not Muzlim) is an adherent of the Religion In 1506, the king of Portugal ordered a fortress to be built there, named "Castelo Real de Mogador". Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. The fortress fell to the local resistance of the Regraga fraternity four years later. Fortifications are Military Constructions and Buildings designed for defense in Warfare Humans have constructed defensive works for The Regraga are one of three tribes that formed the population of Essaouira, Morocco.

During the 16th century, various powers including Spain, England, the Netherlands and France tried in vain to conquer the locality. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Essaouira remained a haven for the export of sugar molasses and the anchoring of pirates. Sugar is a class of edible Crystalline substances mainly Sucrose, Lactose, and Fructose. Molasses or Treacle is a thick Syrup by-product from the processing of the Sugarcane or Sugar beet into Sugar. Piracy is Robbery committed at sea or sometimes on shore without a commission from a sovereign Nation (as distinct from Privateering

The actual city of Essaouira was only built during the 18th century. The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar, in accordance with the Anno Domini / Common Era numbering system Mohammed III, wishing to reorient his kingdom towards the Atlantic for increased exchanges with European powers, chose Mogador as his key location. Mohammed Ben Abdellah al-Qatib (c 1710-1790 (محمد الثالث بن عبد الله الخطيب was Sultan of Morocco from 1757 to 1790 under the Alaouite He hired a French engineer, Théodore Cornut, and several other European architects and technicians, to build the fortress along modern lines. Théodore Cornut was of French mathematician and military architect of the 18th century born in Avignon. Originally called "Souira", "The small fortress", the name then became "Es-Saouira", "The beautifully designed".

Mohammed ben Abdallah encouraged the establishment of Jewish and other foreign traders. Mohammed Ben Abdellah al-Qatib (c 1710-1790 (محمد الثالث بن عبد الله الخطيب was Sultan of Morocco from 1757 to 1790 under the Alaouite PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ They numbered approximately one thousand by 1780. He also forced European nations to establish consulates in the city, but the city did not flourish, as she was too far from the traditional caravan trade routes. A caravan ( Persian: کاروان is a group of people traveling together often on a trade expedition

French troops disambarking on the island of Mogador, in Essaouira bay in 1844.

Following Morocco's alliance with Algeria's Abd-El-Kader against France, Essaouira was bombarded and briefly occupied by the French Navy under the Prince de Joinville on August 16th, 1844. Algeria ( ar [[Arabic]] الجزائر, Al Jaza'ir ælʤæˈzæːʔir Amazigh: ⴷⵥⴰⵢⴻⵔ Dzayer) officially the People's `Abd al-Qādir al-Jazā'irī ( 6 September, 1808 - 26 May, 1883, in Arabic عبد القادر الجزائري was an The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale ( National Navy) and often called La Royale ( The Royal Navy) is the maritime arm François-Ferdinand-Philippe-Louis-Marie d'Orléans prince de Joinville ( 14 August 1818 - 16 June 1900) was the third son of Louis Philippe Year 1844 ( MDCCCXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year

In the early 1950s film director and actor Orson Welles stayed at the Hotel des Iles just south of the town walls during the filming of his 1952 classic version of "Othello" which contains several memorable scenes shot in the labyrynthine streets and alleyways of the medina. George Orson Welles (May 6 1915 – October 10 1985 was an Academy Award -winning director, writer actor and producer for film stage radio and television Medina mɛˈdiːnə (المدينة المنورة ælmæˈdiːnæl muˈnɑwːɑrɑ or المدينة ælmæˈdiːnæ also transliterated into English as Legend has it that during Welles's sojourn in the town he met Winston Churchill, another guest at the Hotel des Iles. Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC, PC (Can ( 30 November 1874 Several other film directors have utilised Essaouira's photogenic and atmospheric qualities.

Despite common misconception,^[1] Jimi Hendrix's song "Castles Made of Sand" was written two years before he visited the castles of Essaouira. James Marshall Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix) (November 27 1942 – September 18 1970 was an American Guitarist, Singer and Songwriter ^[2]

The Norwegian children's book author ^[3]Thorbjørn Egner used Essaouira as both the physical and social setting for his famous book ^[4] "Folk og røvere i Kardemommeby". Thorbjørn Egner (born December 12, 1912 in Oslo, Norway, died December 24, 1990 in Oslo was a Norwegian

Geography

Essaourira is protected by a natural bay partially shielded by wave action by the Iles Purpuraires. Iles Purpuraires are a set of small Islands off the western coast of Morocco at the bay located at Essaouira. A broad sandy beach extends from the harbour south of Essaourira, at which point the Oued Ksob discharges to the ocean; south of the discharge lies the archaeological ruin, the Bordj El Berod. Oued Ksob is a River in western Morocco that discharges to the Atlantic Ocean on a broad beach slightly south of the city of Essaouira and slightly Bordj El Berod is a Ruined Watchtower located somewhat south of the mouth of Oued Ksob near Essaouira, Morocco. ^[5] The Canary Current is responsible for the generally southward movement of ocean circulation and has led to enhancement of the local fishery. The Canary Current is an Ocean current which branches south from the North Atlantic Current and flows toward the south-west about as far as Senegal where For the fishing industry and the practice of fishing see Fishing. ^[6] The village of Diabat lies about two kilometres south of Essaouira, immediately south of the Oued Ksob. Diabat is a village in western Morocco near the coast of the Atlantic Ocean about two kilometres south of the city of Essaouira. Oued Ksob is a River in western Morocco that discharges to the Atlantic Ocean on a broad beach slightly south of the city of Essaouira and slightly

Essaouria connects to El Jadida to the north via the R301 road. El Jadida (الجديدة is a port city on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, in the province of El Jadida. R301 is a coastal Highway in Western Morocco connecting the cities of Essaouira and El Jadida.

Essaouira today

Spanish 17th century cannons in Essaouira

The Medina of Essaouira (formerly "Mogador") is a UNESCO World Heritage Listed city, as an example of a late 18th century fortified town, as transferred to North Africa. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. | NOTE Throughout this article "cannon" is used as BOTH the || singular and plural A medina quarter (المدينة العتيقة is a distinct city section found in many North African cities United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established on November 16 A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex North Africa or Northern Africa is the Northernmost Region of the African Continent, separated by the Sahara from Sub-Saharan

The fishing harbour, suffering from the competition of Agadir and Safi remains rather small, although the catches (sardines, conger eels) are surprisingly abundant due to the coastal upwelling generated by the powerful trade winds and the Canaries Current. A harbor or harbour (see spelling differences) or haven, is a place where ships may shelter from the Weather or are stored Agadir ( Arabic ~since it is not an Arabic word it is modified as follows أڴادير or أغادير, Berber (Amazigh) is a city in Safi (Safi آسفي is a city in western Morocco on the Atlantic Ocean. For the hide and seek-like game see Hide and seek. Sardines, or pilchards, are a group of several types of small Oily Upwelling is an oceanographic phenomenon that involves wind-driven motion of dense cooler and usually nutrient-rich water towards the ocean surface replacing the warmer The trade winds (also called trades) are the prevailing pattern of easterly winds found in the Tropics near the Earth's Equator. The Canary Current is an Ocean current which branches south from the North Atlantic Current and flows toward the south-west about as far as Senegal where

Tourism is of growing importance, supporting boutique hotels established in traditional Moroccan riads, within the old town's ramparts. Boutique hotel is a term popularised in North America and the United Kingdom to describe intimate usually luxurious or quirky Hotel environments A Riad (رياض is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden The rampART is a squatted Social centre in the Whitechapel area of East London. There are a number of modern purpose-built hotels, running along the beach. The medina is home to many small arts and crafts businesses, notably cabinet making and 'thuya' wood-carving (using roots of the Tetraclinis tree), both of which have been practised in Essaouira for centuries. A medina quarter (المدينة العتيقة is a distinct city section found in many North African cities Cabinet making is the practice of utilizing various Woodworking skills to create cabinets shelving and Furniture. Wood carving is a form of working wood by means of a cutting tool held in the hand (this may be a power tool resulting in a wooden figure or figurine (this may be abstract Tetraclinis is a Genus of Evergreen coniferous Tree in the cypress family Cupressaceae, containing only

Essaouira is also renowned for its kitesurfing and windsurfing, with the powerful trade wind blowing almost constantly onto the protected, almost waveless, bay. Kitesurfing, kiteboarding, uses wind power to pull a rider through the water on a small Surfboard or a kiteboard (which is like a Wakeboard) Windsurfing is a surface water sport using a windsurf board also commonly called a sailboard usually two to five meters long and powered by a single sail Several world-class clubs rent top-notch material on a weekly basis.

Parasols tend to be used on the beach as a protection against the wind and the blowing sand. Camel excursions are available on the beach and into the desert band in the interior. Camels are Even-toed ungulates within the Genus Camelus. The Dromedary, one-humped or Arabian camel has a single hump and the A desert is a Landscape or region that receives very little precipitation.

Line notes

Photo Gallery

Essaouira port	Skala de Ville	Skala du Port	Medina
The desert road between Marrakesh and Essaouira. Marrakesh or Marrakech ( Amazigh: Murakush, Arabic مراكش Murrakush) known as the "Red City"	The ramparts from the Medina. A medina quarter (المدينة العتيقة is a distinct city section found in many North African cities	A building just outside the old city.	The citadel by the harbour.
Camel tours on the beach.	A typical room in a "Ryad" hotel.	Cart porter at the harbour.	Fishmarket

External links

• Explore Essaouira at imagelinka
• Essaouira Street Map
• Rental Essaouira
• [2] A literary Journey of Mogador. In Spanish, by Alberto Ruy-Sánchez. Alberto Ruy-Sánchez Lacy is a Mexican Writer and Editor born in Mexico City on 7 December 1951.
• Apartments in Essaouira
• Essaouira entry in Lexicorient
• Location Appartements Essaouira
• UNESCO World Heritage site: Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador)
• Essaouira