Oujda

Oujda (Arabic وجدة, Wuǧda DMG ) is an industrial and business city in eastern Morocco ( Oriental Region, Province of Oujda - Angad ) with approximately 430,000 inhabitants ( calculated 2010).

Its proximity to the Spanish enclave of Melilla and Algeria, it allows him to play the role of a crossroads between North Africa and Europe.

Location

Oujda is located about 10 km from the Algerian border and 60 km away from Saidia located on the Mediterranean coast. The city lies at an altitude of about 500 m above sea level. inst and is bordered to the north by the Beni Snassen mountains. The distance to the next largest city of Nador is approximately 135 km. Since 2011, Oujda is a highway from Rabat (518 km) and Fez to reach (324 miles) from. 11 km north of the city there is the International Airport Oujda - Angad.

Climate

Due to the high elevation, Oujda, a relatively temperate climate: The average annual temperatures are between 15 ° C and 20 ° C; in the summer, however, values ​​of over 40 ° C can be reached.

History

Oujda was founded in 994 and was the capital of the tribe of Zanata - Berber. In 1070, the city and its environs fell to the Almoravids, but they were already replaced in 1147 by the Almohads. In 1271, Oujda was taken by the Marinids and completely destroyed; 1296 began the reconstruction and in 1335 the town received a beautiful merinidische Koran school ( madrasa ). In the 15th to 17th centuries, fought Moroccan and Algerian dynasties for domination; at this time Oujda was nicknamed 'City of Fear ' ( medinet el Haira ). End of the 17th century, the city fell to the Ottoman Empire for a short time, but was soon retaken by the soldiers Moulay Ismail. In an agreement between Morocco and Algeria from 1845, the northern boundary was fixed. Oujda in 1844, 1859 and finally in 1907 occupied by the French and served as a military base to control eastern Morocco later. In 1948, there were sectarian pogroms against the Jewish minority, the so-called pogroms of Oujda and Jerada.

Population

The population of approximately 430,000 inhabitants is quite mixed: in addition to Arabs, in administrative and business occupations are primarily active, there are a variety - from the south of Morocco immigrant - Berbers who work in agriculture, industry, and as a retailer. Many Oujdis are, however, emigrated to Europe - mainly to France and Belgium. Nevertheless, the annual population growth rate is currently at 2.4 %, which is also due to continuing immigration of migrants from southern Morocco. About half the population is younger than 30 years. Unemployment is officially at about 15 %; the actual number of unemployed - especially among young people - is likely to be higher.

Cityscape

The cityscape is modern in contrast to other Moroccan cities. Oujda has a university, there is a traffic intersection and important trading town. Although there are not a lot of tourism, there are some points of interest - for example, the old town ( medina ), the market ( suq ) and about 20 acres of " Parc Lalla Aïcha " with the Bab al - Gharbi (also called Bab Sidi Aissa ) to the west and Bab Sidi Abdelhouahab in the east. Besides the already mentioned and beautifully restored Medersa from the 14th century have been preserved sections also from the medieval city walls of rammed earth. There is also a Museum ethnographique.

Sons and daughters of the town

  • Abd al- Aziz Bouteflika ( born 1937 ), Algerian President
  • Nathalie Delon ( born 1939 ), French actress
  • Maurice Lévy ( born 1942 ), French entrepreneur
  • Gérard Soler (born 1954 ), French footballer
  • Michel Qissi (born 1962 ), American actor
  • Yahya Berrabah ( born 1981 ), Moroccan long jumper

Twinning

  • France Lille, France
  • United Kingdom Trowbridge, United Kingdom
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