Safi (province)

Safi province in the former Doukkala-Abda region

Safi ( Arabic إقليم آسفي) Is a nearly 4100 square kilometers comprehensive province with about 700,000 inhabitants in today's Region Marrakech-Safi in western Morocco on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean . When the province of Youssoufia split off in 2009, it was reduced in size. It has belonged to the Marrakech-Safi region since 2015 (previously to Doukala-Abda ) and is located southwest of Casablanca .

geography

location

The province extends along an approx. 120 km long coastal strip on the Atlantic. Most places in the hinterland are at an altitude of about 150 to 300 m above sea level. d. M .; the highest elevations in the province with approx. 500 to 600 m above sea level. d. M. are located in the mountainous border area to the southwest bordering province of Essaouira . Apart from a few streams that only form after heavy or prolonged rainfall, there is no major river in the province.

climate

The province's climate is influenced to a large extent by the Atlantic Ocean and by Moroccan standards it is more moderate.

Places (selection)

Only the cities of Safi , Jamaat Shaim and Sebt Gzoula are classified as urban settlement areas ( municipalités ); the other places are considered rural communities ( communes rurales ).

Imaginative drawing by 'Tzaffin' from 1572

Safi - Sea Castle ( Dar-el-Bahr )

Safi - View over the old town ( medina ) with the Almohad minaret of the Great Mosque on the Kechla

local community	1994 residents	2004 residents	Residents 2014
Safi (M)	262.276	284,750	308.508
Jamaat Shaim (M)	13,548	15,325	11,251
Sebt Gzoula (M)	10,363	13,943	18,543
Bouguedra	21,457	21,700	16,014
Lamrasia	15,639	16,812	18,335
Lama agate	12,463	13,892	15,389
Ayir	20,586	24,176	27.608
Hrara	20,894	23,711	26,103
Saadla	13,475	14,988	16,633

economy

The inhabitants of the coastal province make a living from fishing; Agriculture, which also includes cattle breeding, is mainly carried out in the hinterland - capers are also picked for export here . Larger companies only exist in the Safi area; the city also attracts local and international tourists and offers a corresponding infrastructure.

history

Little is known about the older and medieval history of the region due to the lack of written records. Safi was founded by the Portuguese in the middle of the 15th century; the base could be held until the beginning of the 17th century.

Attractions

The most important sights are all located in the city of Safi: The sea castle ( Dar el Bahr ) built by the Portuguese is located directly above a rock that slopes steeply towards the sea. The Chapelle Portugaise is a church building in Manueline style from the beginning of the 16th century that has only been partially preserved . In the Kechla there is a museum for ceramic art.

In the southwest of the province, at the mouth of the Oued Tensift, rise the walls of the Portuguese fortress Souira Kedima, built in the early 16th century .

literature

• Arnold Betten: Morocco. Antiquity, Berber Traditions and Islam - History, Art and Culture in the Maghreb. DuMont, Ostfildern 2012, ISBN 978-3-7701-3935-4 , p. 320ff.

Web links

Commons : Safi Province  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

• Safi and Province - Photos + Info (French)

Individual evidence

1. ^ Safi Province - Maps and Statistics
2. ↑ Safi - climate tables
3. ↑ Bouguedra - climate tables
4. ↑ Population statistics Morocco ( Memento from March 3, 2016 in the Internet Archive )