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Zagora, Morocco

Coordinates: 30°19′50″N 5°50′17″W / 30.33056°N 5.83806°W / 30.33056; -5.83806
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Zagora
زاكورة
Zagora is located in Morocco
Zagora
Zagora
Location in Morocco
Zagora is located in Africa
Zagora
Zagora
Zagora (Africa)
Coordinates: 30°19′50″N 5°50′17″W / 30.33056°N 5.83806°W / 30.33056; -5.83806
Country Morocco
RegionDrâa-Tafilalet
ProvinceZagora
Population
 (2004)
 • Total34,851
Time zoneUTC+0 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+1 (WEST)

Zagora (Arabic: زاكورة) is a town located in the Draa River valley in the Moroccan region of Drâa-Tafilalet.

On the base of the Zagora mountain the remains of an Almoravid fortress can still be seen.[1] The exact location of the former Almoravid mosque is still a matter of dispute. Each year the moussem (festival) of the Sufi saint moulay Abdelkader Jilali is celebrated at Zagora.

Languages spoken in the city include Moroccan Arabic, Tachelhit and Tamazight.

A sign at the town border states "Tombouctou 52 days", the supposed time it takes to get to Timbuktu, Mali on foot or camel. The original sign has been replaced by a mural painting.[2]

Climate

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Zagora has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh).

Climate data for Zagora
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 20.3
(68.5)
22.4
(72.3)
26.0
(78.8)
30.7
(87.3)
35.5
(95.9)
40.8
(105.4)
44.9
(112.8)
43.5
(110.3)
36.7
(98.1)
30.8
(87.4)
25.2
(77.4)
20.4
(68.7)
31.4
(88.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 3.8
(38.8)
5.9
(42.6)
9.6
(49.3)
13.1
(55.6)
17.1
(62.8)
21.4
(70.5)
25.1
(77.2)
25.0
(77.0)
19.9
(67.8)
15.1
(59.2)
10.6
(51.1)
5.5
(41.9)
14.3
(57.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 4
(0.2)
3
(0.1)
5
(0.2)
1
(0.0)
2
(0.1)
1
(0.0)
1
(0.0)
3
(0.1)
6
(0.2)
13
(0.5)
15
(0.6)
7
(0.3)
61
(2.4)
Source: Climate-data.org

Culture

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Zagora is also noted for international events such as the Zagora Marathon and the Nomads Festival in M'Hamid.

Local institutions

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The weekly outdoor market (souk) is held on Sunday in the city center.[3]

Features

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References

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  1. ^ Allain (Ch) & Meunie (J.), "La forteresse almoravide de Zagora", Hespéris, 1956, vol. xliii, fasc. 2, pp. 305–325.
  2. ^ blog.travel-exploration.com Travel-blog with picture of the old and new sign. Sitat: The town has recently had a new “52 Days to Timbuktu “ sign painted and posted however the old one still remains.
  3. ^ List of weekly open-air markets in the province of Zagora
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