Loukkos River
Wade through the Oued Loukos at Ksar -el- Kebir ( postcard around 1925)
Template: Infobox River / Obsolete
The Oued Loukos (Arabic واد لوكوس, DMG Lukus WAD ) is one of the longest rivers of Morocco.
Geography
The 176 km long and relatively water-rich river originates in the Rif mountains south of Chefchaouen, then runs in a south-westerly direction, where it is dammed east of Ksar -el- Kebir to a large reservoir. He then swings to the northwest, to open out after a few meanders in Larache / Lixus in the Atlantic.
Economy
The never falling dry Oued Loukos is of great importance for the irrigation of the fertile agricultural land in the Rharb level, which is one of the most productive growing regions throughout Morocco. In his shallow estuary is obtained in salt pans of sea salt.
History
On a hill above the - in ancient times about a kilometer further north - estuary founded by the Phoenicians - perhaps as early as 1100 BC - their city Lixus that after the capture of Carthage ( 146 BC ) and after end of the Kingdom of Mauritania fell to the Romans and was equipped with these buildings (also including a theater / amphitheater ) rich. Exportarikel important in Roman times were cereals, olives and garum, a Gewürztunke based on fish, which was served with many dishes of Roman cuisine as a side dish. The ancient port was close to the - still visible today - Garum Basin.
A momentous for the subsequent history of Portugal and Morocco battle of Ksar -el -Kebir instead, was killed in the course of the first 24 -year-old Portuguese King Sebastian I - In 1578 took place on Oued Makhazine - a tributary of the Loukos. As he was unmarried and no heir to the throne left, Portugal was united from 1580 to 1640 in personal union with Spain. The hinterland of Morocco was from then on, that is, until the beginning of the colonial era, no longer attacked by the European powers.
Held early in 1489 the Portuguese briefly the south of the displaced by natural forces new river mouth nearby hill to the small village of El Araïch occupied. The Spaniards took over this place from 1610 to 1689 and built it from a fortress. During the Spanish Protectorate Spanish and French called the city " Larache ".