This Moroccan city, Tangier, has quite a history. Phoenicians founded Tanjah in the fifth Century BCE, however, the name is possibly Berber in origin. Berbers were already in The Rif Mountains before the Carthaginians arrived. Some ancient coins found show the name of Tinga, Berbers had a goddess by this name, along with Tenga and Titga. In Berber mythology, this city was built by Sufax, the son of Tingis, the wife of Antaios, a Berber Hero.
Tangier, as it is
called today, has been under Roman rule, in first
Century BCE. Along came the Vandals, who started
their move across Africa from here. Between the
fourth and fifth centuries, Tangier was part of the
Byzantine Emipire. The Arabs arrived in the early
700s. Portuguese laid claim to the area in late
1400s. Spain and Portugal held Tangier together for
about 60 years, becoming Portuguese again in the mid
1600s. Catherine of Braganza (Portugal) was to marry
Charles II of England. Tangier was given to Charles
as part of the Princess’ dowry.
The British ruled the city until Sultan Moulay Ismail
imposed a blockade which forced the British to
withdraw. Upon leaving, the British destroyed the
city and its port. Although partially reconstructed,
the city declined to around 5000 people in early
1800s. Because of its geographic location, many
European countries have vied for control.
France was the most influential when the Kaiser of
Germany said he was in favor of Morocco remaining a
free country. This nearly triggered a war between
France and Germany. Morocco was divided between
France and Spain. Tangier. In the 1920s, Tangier
became a international zone, held by France,
Spain, Britain and Italy until World War II. Spain
held control of Tangier until Morocco gained its
independence. She was reunited with the rest of
the country.
Tangier has a checkered past. Once known as a safe
haven for international spies and a meeting place for
secret agents. Tangier is used as the location for
many spy novels and movies. It, also, had quite a
reputation as a smuggling center. Tangier attracted
many artists such as Matisse and Tiffany. Authors
like Choukri, native to the area, and Burroughs wrote
about the city and surrounding area.
Today, Tangier is the second industrial center in
Morocco with its Tangier Free Zone. Construction
should be completed by the end of 2008 on the second
Tangier-Mediterranean port. Fishing and agriculture
are two smaller industries adding to her economy.
Tangier is connected to the rest of Morocco by rail
and new expressways. Ibn Batouta International
Airport is 15 kilometers from the city’s center. Even
with all the modern industries, Tangier still has an
old medina were artists ply their wares. Leather
goods are the specialty along with traditional
clothing, shoes, silver crafts and wood items. The
entrance gate to the Medina is found near the Great
Mosque and it connects with the beaches.
Tourism is becoming an important industry with
foreign investors building seaside resorts. Cape
Spartel, the entrance to the Straits of
Gilbralter, is nearby. Visitors go there to see the
famous lighthouse as well as the coast of Europe from
the African side.
Tangier is a fast growing city population wise. In
the last twenty years, population of the city has
quadrupled.
