Mohammedia
Encyclopedia
Mohammedia is a port city on the west coast of Morocco
located between Casablanca
and Rabat
in the region of Greater Casablanca. It hosts the most important oil refinery of Morocco
, Samir, which makes it the center of the Moroccan petrol. it has a population of 188,619 (2004 census).
. 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.
was behind the merger of Europeans interests in the ports of Morocco
. As For The region of Fédala, it has known the arrival of a German family called Mannesmann that 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
.
, 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".
. It's 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.
. 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 63–70 °F (17–21 °C) and lows of 48–53 °F (9–12 °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 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) and lows of 59–68 °F (15–20 °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 inches (~300.00mm). Precipitations are generally light rain showers, but sometimes heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Snowfall has never occurred in the city.
of 12,900 people per square mile (5,000.00/km²).
All people of the Moroccan Kingdom are represented in this region. The first inhabitants of the city were the Zenata
tribes which only few of them remain, divided territorially between Mohammédia and neighboring prefectures. Another Arab tribe of Mauritania
, called Mjedba, setteled between Fédala and Mediouna three centuries ago and are now twice as many as Zenata.
Sources : World Gazetter.
The city is divided into 3 major distinct areas, the Kasbah area, the Al-Alia district, and the eastern coast.
Today, the district equals a small city in continuous expansion, equipped by all necessary facilities.
and the small cities around. Almost all of the area is a villa zone. However, many buildings took shape in front of the sea the last 10 years and hosts 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.
, Belgium
since 1982, Zawiya, Libya
since 2006, Perpignan
, France
since 2009, Belfort
, France
since 2010, Dreux
, France
since 2010. Noginsk
, Russia
since 2010. Jiangyin
, China
since 2011.
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
located between Casablanca
Casablanca
Casablanca is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Grand Casablanca region.Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the Maghreb. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture...
and Rabat
Rabat
Rabat , is the capital and third largest city of the Kingdom of Morocco with a population of approximately 650,000...
in the region of Greater Casablanca. It hosts the most important oil refinery of Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
, Samir, which makes it the center of the Moroccan petrol. it has a population of 188,619 (2004 census).
History
Early history
The harbour, at what is now Mohammédia, was originally named Fédala (Arabic: فضالة). This name comes from the Arabic words Fadl Allah (Arabic: فضل الله) which means "favor of god". Traces still exist of its business role under the Almoravids dinastyAlmoravids
The Almoravids were a Berber dynasty of Morocco, who formed an empire in the 11th-century that stretched over the western Maghreb and Al-Andalus. Their capital was Marrakesh, a city which they founded in 1062 C.E...
. 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
Tamesna
Tamesna can refer to:* Tamesna, a historical region in North Africa, that is currently the area between the Moroccan cities of Kenitra and Safi. People from this region are referred to as Imesnawen in Berber, or Mesnawa in Moroccan Arabic....
province and built the Kasbah to protect the shops for traders. He built the white masjid Al Atik as well.
The French Protectorate
During the precolonial period, competition between the Western powers to ensure the economical exploitation of AfricaAfrica
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
was behind the merger of Europeans interests in the ports of Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
. As For The region of Fédala, it has known the arrival of a German family called Mannesmann that acquired a large area of land.
The Treaty of November 4, 1911 between France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
on the partition of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
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
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
.
The new city
Fédala was renamed Mohammédia on 25 June 1960 in honor of King Muhammad V, the restorer of Moroccan independenceHistory of Morocco
The History of Morocco spans over 12 centuries, without considering the Classical antiquity. The country was first unified by the Idrisid dynasty in 780, representing the first Islamic state in Africa autonomous from the Arab Empire. Under the Almoravid dynasty and the Almohad dynasty, Morocco...
, 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".
Location
Mohammédia lies along the Atlantic Ocean 15 miles (24 km) northeast of CasablancaCasablanca
Casablanca is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Grand Casablanca region.Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the Maghreb. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture...
. It's located between the outlets of the rivers Oued El-Maleh and Oued Nfifikh and is bordered by the Atlantic ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
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 climateMediterranean climate
A Mediterranean climate is the climate typical of most of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin, and is a particular variety of subtropical climate...
. The moderating effect of the Atlantic ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
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 63–70 °F (17–21 °C) and lows of 48–53 °F (9–12 °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 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) and lows of 59–68 °F (15–20 °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 inches (~300.00mm). Precipitations are generally light rain showers, but sometimes heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Snowfall has never occurred in the city.
Demographics
The population of Mohammédia is growing at a fast rate. The city, which had a small population of only 500 people in 1914, is currently the home of about 204,000 people. The population of all the prefecture of Mohammédia is estimated at 336,000 inhabitants with an average population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 12,900 people per square mile (5,000.00/km²).
All people of the Moroccan Kingdom are represented in this region. The first inhabitants of the city were the Zenata
Zenata
Zenata were an ethnic group of North Africa, who were technically an Eastern Berber group and who are found in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco....
tribes which only few of them remain, divided territorially between Mohammédia and neighboring prefectures. Another Arab tribe of Mauritania
Mauritania
Mauritania is a country in the Maghreb and West Africa. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean in the west, by Western Sahara in the north, by Algeria in the northeast, by Mali in the east and southeast, and by Senegal in the southwest...
, called Mjedba, setteled between Fédala and Mediouna three centuries ago and are now twice as many as Zenata.
| 1994 | 2004 | 2010 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994, 2004 : official census; 2010 : calcul. | |||||
Sources : World Gazetter.
Municipality
Mohammedia, whose size has increased significantly during the second half of the twentieth 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.
The Kasbah area
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
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.
The eastern coast
The east side of the city is famous for its beaches where go swimming citizens of Mohammedia, CasablancaCasablanca
Casablanca is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Grand Casablanca region.Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the Maghreb. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture...
and the small cities around. Almost all of the area is a villa zone. However, many buildings took shape in front of the sea the last 10 years and hosts luxury apartments.
Most of the faculties of Mohammedia are located in this side of town as well as a Marjane
Marjane
This article is about the Moroccan supermarket chain. For the Iranian-French graphic novel author see Marjane Satrapi.Marjane is a Moroccan hypermarket chain. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Omnium nord Africain group.In 2008, the company have 21 Hypermarkets around Morocco...
Hypermarket and a McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
restaurant.
- Beaches: Santa Monica, Les sablettes, Mannesman, La Siesta.
- Subdivisions: Soleil, Nice, Yasmina, Al-Asil.
People born or lived in Mohammedia
- Abraham SerfatyAbraham SerfatyAbraham Serfaty was an internationally prominent Moroccan dissident, militant, and political activist, who was imprisoned for years by King Hassan II of Morocco, for his political actions in favor of democracy and development’s regime, during the Years of Lead...
, Moroccan political activist. - Eric BessonÉric BessonÉric Besson is a French politician and Minister of Industry, Energy and the Digital economy under the Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry, Christine Lagarde...
, French politician. - Ahmed FarasAhmed FarasAhmed Faras is a former Moroccan football forward. He was named African Footballer of the Year in 1975, and spent all of his playing career with his native Chabab Mohammédia.- International :...
, former Moroccan football player. - Noureddine ZiyatiNoureddine ZiyatiNoureddine Ziyati is a Moroccan football player, who plays for Al-Sailiya Sport Club.-External links:* *...
, Moroccan football player. - Tarik El JarmouniTarik El JarmouniTarik El Jarmouni is a Moroccan football goalkeeper. He currently plays for Raja Casablanca.Jermouni played for FAR in the 2007 CAF Champions League group stages.Jermouni played for Morocco at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.-External links:...
, Moroccan football goalkeeper. - Reda El AmraniReda El AmraniReda El Amrani is a professional tennis player from Morocco.He has a career high-ranking of 160 .-2010:250 Series: Quarter-finalist Grand Prix Hassan II ....
, Moroccan tennis player. - Jannat MahidJannat MahidJannat Mahid most commonly known as Jannat, is a Moroccan singer most born on January 6, 1986 in Mohammedia, Morocco. She won a musical competition at age eight before winning several others competitions in Morocco, Egypt, and Dubai.Jannat Mahid sang on the Egyptian Opera stage in 2000...
, Moroccan singer.
Sister Cities
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Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
since 2006, Perpignan
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The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
since 2009, Belfort
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Belfort is a commune in the Territoire de Belfort department in Franche-Comté in northeastern France and is the prefecture of the department. It is located on the Savoureuse, on the strategically important natural route between the Rhine and the Rhône – the Belfort Gap or Burgundian Gate .-...
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The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
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The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
since 2010. Noginsk
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Noginsk is a town and the administrative center of Noginsky District of Moscow Oblast, Russia, located east of the MKAD ring road on the Klyazma River. Population:...
, Russia
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Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
since 2010. Jiangyin
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Jiangyin is a city in China's Jiangsu province on the Yangtze River. It has population of 1.2 million . The total GDP reached RMB 171.3 billion yuan in 2009, an increase of 11.6% from 2008. The GDP per capita reached RMB 142,572 yuan...
, China
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Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
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