Al Hoceima, Port city in northern Morocco
Al Hoceima is a port city on the Mediterranean coast in northern Morocco, set within a semicircular bay. The city spreads along the waterfront with the Rif Mountains rising in the background, shaping the landscape.
The city was founded in 1926 by Spanish forces as Villa Sanjurjo, named after General Jose Sanjurjo. This establishment occurred during the final stages of the Rif War, when Spain was solidifying control over its territory in the region.
The city shows influences from Berber and Spanish traditions in its everyday life and buildings. You can see these two worlds mixed together in the streets and in how people live here.
The city has a working port and offers access to beaches and hiking paths in the nearby mountains. The best time to visit is from spring through fall, when the weather is mild and comfortable.
Several uninhabited islands off the coast have remained under Spanish administration since 1673, creating an unusual maritime boundary in the Mediterranean. You notice this distinctive arrangement when visiting the harbor or nearby shores.
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