Nador

Nador is a coastal city and provincial capital in the northeastern Rif region of Morocco with a population of about 161,726 (2014 census). It is separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a salt lagoon named Sebkha Bou Areq (Arabic), Bḥar Ameẓẓyan (Berber) or Mar Chica (Spanish) and is 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) south of the Spanish city of Melilla. Nador was founded in the 19th century and was under Spanish colonial rule until Morocco’s independence in 1956. Nador Province has over 600,000 inhabitants, predominantly of Riff-Berber ethnicity.

Etymology

The origin of the city name is disputed. It may have originated from Has Nador, which was a small village by the lagoon, or it may have come from Arabic terms meaning either lighthouse or sight.

Overview

The economy of Nador and Nador province includes fishery, agriculture, some light and heavy industry. The economy has grown dramatically in recent years, particularly due to the manufacturing sector with the building of a metal processing complex supplied with iron ore from Wiksan, a mountain in the Rif range, anthracite from Jerada, textiles, chemicals and some electronics industries.

In the summer months of June to August thousands of people originating from the Nador area and living in Europe return to the city. The total of these annual visitors may exceed 250,000. They mainly stay with relatives or in rented or owned apartments, rather than staying in Nador's hotels.

The location of the city on the Mediterranean coast and proximity of the Spanish town Melilla mean there is significant international trade, particularly evident in the widespread sale of Spanish manufactured foodstuffs and household goods in Nador.

Nador was infamous as a centre of smuggling cheap Spanish and Chinese duty-free goods. Currently the smuggling has declined but it still alive competing with a smuggling stream from Algeria. Many used consumer goods from Europe and China find their way to Morocco and Africa via Melilla and Nador, both legally and illegally. The goods range from conserved food, clothes, shoes, electric home appliances, up to sophisticated hardware.

Geography

Nador is the 17th largest city in Morocco and is the capital of Nador Province in the Oriental Region of northern Morocco. It is located on the Sebkha Bou Areq lagoon on the Mediterranean coastline. The city sprawls along the coast. It is approximately 75 kilometres (47 mi) west of the Algerian border, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)south of the Spanish enclave of Melilla, and 380 kilometres (240 mi) east of the Moroccan capital of Rabat. The city center of Nador is largely a grid of streets around the north-south axis of Avenue Hassan II, with the main bus- and taxi stations at its southern end. Avenue Mohammed V runs from the city’s waterfront to the city's governmental facilities and town hall on its east end. Mohammed V Boulevard has open plazas and Spanish Iberian-style architecture, particularly seen in the Roman Catholic churches. The administrative city center, main post office, and the Grand Mosque are all located on the Youssef Ben Tachfine Boulevard.

Nature

The salt lagoon off and to the east of the city attract wildlife, especially migratory birds Bird species in the protected wetlands at Oued Moulouya and Kariat Arekman by the Moulouya River mouth include the Greater pink flamingo, Great crested grebe, Avocet, Black-winged stilt, Coot, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Audouin's gull, Grey heron, Little egret, Spotted redshank, Black-tailed godwit, Common redshank, Kingfisher, Black tern, and numerous other species of terns and gulls. As well as being a safe haven for birds, this area is frequently visited by locals because of its natural beauty. There are major freshwater and saline sites covering large areas of protected sand dunes, marsh- and swampland. Insects include Damselfly, Caelifera, Six-eyed sand spider, and numerous others. The flora includes Marram grass, Juniper, Cistus, and more.

Nador transmitter

Near Nador is the transmission site for long- and short-wave Medi 1 Radio which broadcasts to all Maghreb countries. The aerial masts of Medi 1 Radio for long-wave are approximately 380 metres high and are among the tallest man-made structures in Africa.

Transport

A railway linking Nador to Taourirt was opened on 2 July 2009 by king Mohammed VI of Morocco. as part of ONCF's rail projects. Previously, there was a connecting bus link from Taourirt, also operated by railway company ONCF

In addition, several direct bus links operate between Nador and major Moroccan cities. Daily ferry services link Nador Port with Almeria in Spain and a weekly service to Sète in France.

Nador International Airport offers direct flights to Moroccan and European destinations, such as cities in France and Germany, and acts as a second airport for travellers to and from Melilla.

Roads give access to the Fes-Oujda expressway and to nearby Melilla.