Agadir

Tourist resort and seaport in south Morocco, near the mouth of the River Sus; population (2004) 678,600 (including Inezgane, Ait Melloul). It was rebuilt after being destroyed by an earthquake in 1960. Agadir is one of the main fishing ports of Morocco; other industries include food processing, tourism, and crafts. The mild winter climate is suitable for the growth of citrus fruits, and cobalt, manganese, lead, and zinc are mined nearby.

History The revolution of 1773, and the subsequent rise of Mogador, lessened Agadir's importance. In August 1911 the Agadir Incident, as it was known, nearly precipitated a European war on a large scale. In March 1960 an earthquake followed by tidal waves destroyed most of Agadir, killing an estimated 15,000 people.