Oujda

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Oujda
وجدة
ⵡⵊⴷⴰ
Coat of arms of Oujda
Oujda (Morocco)
Oujda
Oujda
Basic data
State : MoroccoMorocco Morocco
Region : Oriental
Prefecture : Oujda-Angad
Coordinates 34 ° 41 ′  N , 1 ° 55 ′  W Coordinates: 34 ° 41 ′  N , 1 ° 55 ′  W
Residents : 494,252 (2014)
Area : 96.4 km²
Population density : 5,127 inhabitants per km²
Height : 550  m
Oujda - central square with mosque and church
Oujda - central square with mosque and church

Oujda ( Arabic وجدة, DMG Wuǧda ; Central Atlas Tamazight ⵡⵊⴷⴰ Wejda ) is an industrial and economic metropolis with around 550,000 inhabitants (2017) in northeastern Morocco in the province of Oujda-Angad in the Oriental region . Due to its proximity to the Spanish exclave Melilla and Algeria , the city has gained international importance.

location

Oujda is located on the mostly dry Oued Nachef about 10 km west of the Algerian border and a good 60 km from the beaches of Saidia on the Mediterranean coast. The city lies in a valley basin at an altitude of about 550 to 600  m and borders the Beni Snassen Mountains in the north. The distance to the nearest, but much smaller Moroccan city of Nador is about 135 km and to the municipality of Bni Drar in the same direction about 10 km. Since 2011, Oujda has been accessible via a motorway from Rabat (approx. 520 km) and Fez (approx. 325 km). The land border with Algeria has been closed since 1994. Oujda-Angads International Airport is about 11 km north of the city . Due to the altitude, Oujda has a comparatively temperate climate: the average annual temperatures are between 15 ° C and 20 ° C; in summer, however, values ​​of over 35 ° C can be reached. The average annual rainfall is around 340 mm; it falls mainly in the winter half-year.

population

year 1982 1994 2004 2014
Residents 260,082 357.278 400,738 494.252

The sustained population growth results from the high number of children (approx. 25% of the population are under 18 years old), but also from the immigration of people from the rural communities in the area.

The population of around 550,000 is ethnically mixed: In addition to Arabs and Arabized Berbers, who mainly work in administrative and commercial professions, there are a large number of Berbers - who immigrated from southern Morocco or the Rif Mountains - who work in agriculture, work in industry and as a small trader. However, many Oujdis have also emigrated to Europe - especially to France and Belgium. The annual population growth is currently 2.4%, which is also due to the continued immigration of migrants from southern Morocco. Over half the population is younger than 30 years. Unemployment is officially around 15%; the actual number of unemployed - especially among young people - is likely to be considerably higher.

economy

Oujda is the political and economic center of northeast Morocco. In addition to inner-city trade, craft and service industries, there are numerous smaller industrial companies.

history

Oujda, old city gate ( Bab al-Gharbi )
Oujda, Mohammed VI Mosque

Oujda was founded in 994 and was the capital of the Zanata- Berber tribe. In 1070 the city and its surrounding area fell to the Almoravids , who were replaced by the Almohads in 1147 . In 1271, Oujda was captured by the Merinids and largely destroyed; Reconstruction began in 1296 and in 1335 the city received a beautiful Merinid Koran school ( medersa ). From the 15th to 17th centuries, Moroccan and Algerian dynasties fought for supremacy; During this time, Oujda was nicknamed the "City of Fear" ( medinet el haira ). At the end of the 17th century the city fell briefly to the Ottoman Empire, but was soon taken again by the soldiers of Mulai Ismail . In a treaty between Morocco and Algeria from 1845, the northern borderline of the two countries was established.

Occupied by the French in 1844, 1859 and finally 1907, Oujda later served as a military base to control the eastern part of French Morocco . In 1948 there were religiously motivated pogroms against the Jewish minority (so-called pogroms of Oujda and Jerada ).

Cityscape and landmarks

Unlike many other Moroccan cities, the cityscape is modern. Oujda has a university, it is a transport hub and an important trading city. Although tourism hardly plays a role, there are some sights - such as the old town ( medina ), the market ( suq ) and the approximately 20 hectare Parc Lalla Aïcha with the Bab al-Gharbi (also called Bab Sidi Aïssa ) in the west and the Bab Sidi Abdelhouahab in the east. In addition to the beautifully restored medersa from the 40s of the 14th century, parts of the medieval city walls made of rammed earth have also been preserved. The Dar Es Sebti Palace , built in 1938 by a wealthy merchant, is open to visitors. There is also an archaeological museum of the university ( Musée Universitaire d'Archéologie ) and an ethnographic museum ( Musée Ethnographique ). The Mosquée Assoltane Moulay Slimane (also called Mosquée Mohammed VI after its royal donor ) was inaugurated in 2012.

sons and daughters of the town

Town twinning

literature

Web links

Commons : Oujda  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Oujda - population development
  2. ↑ Oujda - Map with altitude information
  3. ↑ Oujda - climate tables
  4. ↑ Oujda - Economy
  5. ↑ Oujda - Medersa