Essaouira
Known as Mogador, this gate city to the Atlantic coast has experienced the achievements of the Carthaginians, Romans and Portuguese. The city, as it is today, was founded by the sovereign Alaouite Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, who wanted to give his capital Marrakech a cultural and commercial boost. in fact, at that time the port of Essaouira provided up to 60% of external trade thanks to its Jewish community and caravans loaded with spices, gold and slaves from sub-Saharian Africa. The importance of this port diminishes with the expansion and development of those of El Jadida and Tangier. Today Essaouira knows a spectacular revival through tourism, the quality and originality of its products made of Thuya to Arganier and its Gnaoua festival. Its medina is classified World Heritage by UNESCO.
