Nador

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nador (Amazigh:Nnadur ) is a northeastern Moroccan city located in the Rif region. The city is a Mediterranean port on the Bhar Amezzyan (Mar Chica in Spanish) lagoon and a trading centre for fish, fruit, and livestock. It is linked to the Spanish city of Melilla, 10 kilometers north, by a semi-motorway.

Nador is populated by Tarifit-Berber (Thamazight n Arif) speaking population of more than 180,000 dwellers. The current governor of Nador province is Abdelouafi Lftit. The city became independent with the rest of Morocco in 1956.

1 Overview
2 Nador transmitter
3 Nador Quarters
4 Transport
5 Tourism
6 External links and references

[edit] Overview

Nador city center

The economy of Nador city and the province of Nador includes fishery, agriculture, some light and heavy industry. In the summer months a lot of Morrocan nationals originating from the Nador area and living in Europe visit the city. They stay with relatives, own or rent an appartment or use one of the many hotels in the city. These visits give an important impuls to the regions economy. Also trade is an important activity in the city. The location of the city near the sea and close the the Spannish enclave Melilla are catalysts for international trade. In the past Nador was infamous as centre of smuggling, as many Mediteranian sea-ports. In present time only some illegal import of goods via Mellilia reminds of the activities in the past. Many used consumer-goods from Europe find their way to North-Africa via Mellilia and Nador. All kinds of goods find their way via this route: used clothes and shoes up to large electric devices as washing-machines.^[1]^[2]

[edit] Nador transmitter

Main article: Nador transmitter

Near Nador there is the transmission site for long-wave and shortwave of Medi 1 Radio which broadcasts to all Maghreb countries. The aerial masts of Medi 1 Radio for long-wave are approximately 380 metres high and belong to the tallest constructions in Africa.

[edit] Nador Quarters

Main Nador city quarters and neighborhoods are:

El Kindy
Laarasi
Anafag / Lmatar / New Nador
Laari Shikh
Ammas n Temdint / Centro (city downtown)
Ait Mimoun (Ait Mimoun Market)
Isebbanen
Tireqqaâ
Downtown Nador: a relatively developed area in comparison with the rest of the city. Downtown lies in the center of the city and was partially developed by the Spanish colonials.

[edit] Transport

In 2007, it was proposed to link Nador by rail with a branchline from Taourirt. Opening is planned for 2010. Building is well underway (2008), see also Rail projects^[3]
Currently rail mainline from Casablanca to Ouidja offers connecting buslink from Taourirt operated by railway company ONCF^[4]
Many direct buslinks operate to and from Nador and many major Morrocan cities.
Nador International Airport offers direct flights to Morrocan and European destinations.

[edit] Tourism

During the summer months Nador is visited by a large amount of Moroccan nationals originating from the province or city of Nador. The (local) goverment also wants to attract foreign tourists and for this reason they try to give the city a better look: café's must use metal or wooden chairs outside (and not plastic), houses have to be painted in one colour throughout the city and they have re-developed the main boulevard along the sea. There are also plans to redevelop the grounds on which currently the Rif hotel is situated. This hotel is the only 4 star rated hotel in the city (besides many 2 and 3 star hotels). Maybe due to this reason the hotel has some backlog in maintenance but the location and thus views from the rooms is great overlooking the sea. At the grounds of Hotel Rif there is also a nightclub: one of the very few locations where alcoholic drinks are served.