Mohammedia

See Mohammadia for the town and commune in Mascara Province, Algeria.

Mohammedia The city of flowers
Park dedicated to Mohammedia's twin towns
Mohammedia Location in Morocco
Coordinates: 33°41′N 7°23′W / 33.683°N 7.383°W / 33.683; -7.383
Country	Morocco
Region	Grand Casablanca
Population (2004)
• Total	188,619
Time zone	WET (UTC+0)
• Summer (DST)	WEST (UTC+1)

Mohammedia (Arabic: المحمدية‎, Al-Muḥammadia, Berber: El Muḥemmadiya, Fḍala) is a port city on the west coast of Morocco between Casablanca and Rabat in the region of Greater Casablanca. It hosts the most important oil refinery of Morocco, the Samir refinery, which makes it the center of the Moroccan petroleum industry. It has a population of 188,619 (2004 census).

History

The entry of the Kasbah and the Al Atik Mosque in the background

Early history

The harbour, at what is now Mohammédia, was originally named Fédala (فضالة). This name comes from the Arabic words Fadl Allah (فضل الله) which means "favor of god". Traces still exist of its business role under the Almoravid dynasty. It was frequented in the 14th and 15th centuries by merchant ships from Europe seeking cereals and dried fruits.

In 1773, the Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah made of Fédala a grains warehouse of Tamesna province and built the Kasbah to protect the shops for traders. He built the white masjid Al Atik as well.

French Protectorate

German officers captured at Fedala, 1943

During the precolonial period, competition between the Western powers to ensure the economical exploitation of Africa was behind the merger of Europeans interests in the ports of Morocco. In the region of Fédala, the German family Mannesmann acquired a large area of land.

The Treaty of November 4, 1911 between France and Germany on the partition of Africa forced the Mannesmann family to abandon the lands they held for Georges and Jacques Hersent, two French industrialists, who noticed the existence of a natural bay, valuable for the creation of a large port at low cost.

The group Hersent created the Franco-Moroccan company in 1912 and founded the port company in 1914 that took a leading part in the development of Fédala. The rapid growth of the city started around the port, which allowed the development of various industries such as canning fishery products, agro-industry plants, tannery, textile, etc..

The seaside town took shape in 1925 and the Esplanade was built in 1938. The construction of the sea line in 1951 made of Fédala the first and most modern oil port in North Africa.

The church of Saint James (Saint Jacques), which overlooks the main square, was erected in 1934 by Jean and Georges Hersent, in memory of their son and nephew Jacques (3 February 1893 - 26 July 1917), who died at the Marne during the First World War. The town also has a school "Jacques Hersent", founded in 1929 by Georges Hersent, which claims to be named after his son Jacques who was drowned in Mohammedia. ^[1]

Battle of Fedala

US Army invaded Fedala from the Atlantic on November 8, 1942 as part of operation Torch.^[2] The invasion was carried out by the Center Attack Group of the Western Task Force which landed on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The landing began on 4 AM.

The new city

In 1960, the city was renamed after the reigning King of Morocco, Mohammed V

Fédala was renamed Mohammédia on 25 June 1960 in honor of King Mohammed V, the restorer of Moroccan independence, on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the Samir oil refinery. The new name indicates the modern character of this city. Today, the city serves as both a seaside resort and a manufacturing center.

Mohammédia is also a resort city containing a golf and tennis club, casino and many other activities. In addition, people call it madinate lwouroude wa riyada which means "city of flowers and sports".^{[citation needed]}

Within the past decade, Mohammédia's beaches "Sablet & Mimosa" have drawn a load of people from casablanca, and its nearby cities. Sablet and Mimosa have been under development, building new beach condos, villas, as well as more investments in small businesses which creates more jobs. Summer is simply the best season in Mohammédia being that there is more involvement due to an increase of the population. There is a wide range of outdoor activities including basketball, soccer, surfing, and fishing. The night life is a great experience to be part of, including several cafes, restaurants, clubs, and a boardwalk. A couple of beach residential areas that are good place for vacation are "Residence of Oubaha" and "Palm Beach." There are several other projects going on in the city of Mohammédia as well as infrastructure throughout the city.

Geography

Location

Mohammédia lies along the Atlantic Ocean 15 miles (24 kilometres) northeast of Casablanca. It is located between the outlets of the rivers Oued El-Maleh and Oued Nfifikh and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Ben Slimane Province to the east and south, and the prefecture of Sidi Bernoussi-Zenata to the west.

Climate

Mohammédia has a Mediterranean climate. The moderating effect of the Atlantic Ocean influences strongly on the city climate and makes its winter soft and warm, and its summer hot and cool. Mohammédia enjoys plenty of sunshine throughout the year with measurable precipitation annually.

The period of November through April is mild and rainy with average high temperatures of 63 to 70 °F (17 to 21 °C) and lows of 48 to 53 °F (9 to 12 °C), however temperatures can occasionally drop to around 36 °F (2 °C) in the morning, or be as high as 80 °F (27 °C) for a few days during winter.

The period of May through October is warm to hot and dry with average high temperatures of 72 to 79 °F (22 to 26 °C) and lows of 59 to 68 °F (15 to 20 °C), but temperatures frequently exceed 90 °F (32 °C) and occasionally reach 104 °F (40 °C).

Most rainfall occurs from November to April. The average of precipitation annually is around 11.8 in (299.7 mm) Precipitations are generally light rain showers, but sometimes heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Snowfall has never occurred in the city.

Subdivisions

The province is divided administratively into the following:^[4]

Demographics

The population of Mohammédia is growing at a fast rate. The city, which had a population of only 500 people in 1914, is currently home to about 204,000 people. The population of the prefecture of Mohammédia is estimated at 336,000 inhabitants with an average population density of 12,900 people per square mile (5,000.00/km²). All population groups of the Moroccan Kingdom are represented in this region. The first inhabitants of the city were the Zenata tribes, of which only few remain, divided territorially between Mohammédia and neighboring prefectures. Another Arab tribe of Mauritania, called Mjedba, settled between Fédala and Mediouna three centuries ago and are now twice as many as Zenata.

Sources : World Gazetter.

Municipality

Mohammedia, whose size has increased significantly during the second half of the 20th century, is becoming one of the biggest cities in Morocco. New neighborhoods are built in all the parts of the city and more people live in town.

The city is divided into 3 major distinct areas, the Kasbah area, the Al-Alia district, and the eastern coast.

Kasbah area

The prefecture of Mohammedia

This area where stands the Kasbah extends from Souss Street to the Al-Wafaa subdivision. It represents the historical heart of the city and has marked a transitional compromise between an urbanism of modern buildings and monuments, and the forms of ancient old Medina. Many commercials and services exist along the narrow streets of the Kasbah and the boulevards of the surrounding area, such as clothing merchants, wool merchants and fruit sellers. This area, which represents the city center, hosts many administrations, mosks, restaurants, hotels and parks as well.

• Subdivisions: The Kasbah, Al-Wafaa, Al-Marsa, Dyour Al-Qraii.
• Famous places: Twin Towns Park, Mohamed V boulevard, the Corniche.
• Infrastructures and mobility : The railway station, Moulay Abdellah Hospital, the Prefecture, Bachir Stadium.

Al-Alia

The municipal theater of Mohammedia

This district is located southern in the city on a gentle hill slope, which gives it the name Al-Alia that means the upper side. It was built in 1948 as a solution to the shantytowns problem, where rural population were living, attracted by the industrial development of the city and looking for a job.

Today, the district equals a small city in continuous expansion, equipped by all necessary facilities.

• Ancient subdivisions: El Hassania, Derb Marrakech, Diour Doukkala, Derb Jamila, Derb Ourida, Derb Fath, Derb Douchmane, Riyad Salam, Derb Laâyoune, Hay Al-Houria.
• New subdivisions : Hay El-Falah, Anfa, Rachidia, Hay Reda, Hay Nasr, Hay el-Fajr, La Colline, Hay Al-Wahda.
• Infrastructures and mobility: The Municipal Theater, the Coach Station.

Eastern coast

The east side of the city is famous for its beaches, where the inhabitants of Mohammedia, Casablanca and the surrounding towns go swimming. Almost all of the area is a villa zone. However, many buildings have spring up on the seafront over the last 10 years, including an increasing number of luxury apartments.

Most of the faculties of Mohammedia are located in this side of town as well as a Marjane Hypermarket and a McDonald's restaurant.

• Beaches: Santa Monica, Les sablettes, Mannesman, La Siesta.
• Subdivisions: Soleil, Nice, Yasmina, Al-Asil.

People born or lived in Mohammedia

• Abraham Serfaty, Moroccan political activist.
• Eric Besson, French politician.
• Ahmed Faras, former Moroccan football player.
• Noureddine Ziyati, Moroccan football player.
• Tarik El Jarmouni, Moroccan football goalkeeper.
• Reda El Amrani, Moroccan tennis player.
• Jannat Mahid, Moroccan singer.

International relations

Twin towns - Sister cities

Mohammedia is twinned with:

References

External links

• Website (English)
• History of Mohammédia (French)

Coordinates: 33°41′N 7°23′W / 33.683°N 7.383°W / 33.683; -7.383

v t e Grand Casablanca region Capital: Casablanca Provinces Casablanca province Mediouna Province Mohammedia province Nouaceur Province Cities Aïn Harrouda Beni Yakhlef Bouskoura Casablanca Lahraouyine Lamkansa Mediouna Mohammedia Nouaceur Tit Mellil

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