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Asilah
Arabic:
'asīlā
City in Morocco with about 25,000 inhabitants (1999 estimate), in the north of the country, situated on the Atlantic Ocean.
Asilah has one of the most beautiful old cities of Morocco: well-kept and dramatically situated along the cliffs towards the Atlantic.
Asilah's economy rests on fishing and trading of cereals, cattle, and sheep. Tourism is also an industry of Asilah, but it mainly caters to Moroccan travellers.
Asilah is also the home of the now revived cultural festival, where music, painting and sculpture impregnates the city every August.
HISTORY
1st millenium BCE: A Phoenician port, Zili, is established here.
1st century BCE: Romans take control over the region.
8th century CE: Idrissids establish a settlement here. Sources indicate that it was named Arzilla.
972: The Merenids take control over Arzilla.
11th century: Several attacks by the Normans destroy Arzilla.
1471: Occupied by Portuguese, who soon start to fortify the town, and turn the city into an important trading centre.
1578: Following the defeat in the "Battle of Three Kings", the Portuguese lose Arzilla to the Spanish, who name the city, Arcila.
1598: Arcila is ceded by the Spanish to Moulay Ahmadi l-Mansur, and acquires the Arabic name, Asilah.
1906: Asilah is captured by Moulay Ahmad Raisouli of Tangier, who establishes himself here.
1914: Raisouli receives support from the Germans, in his fight against the Spanish.
1925: Raisouli is captured, and Asilah is incorporated into Spanish Morocco.
1956: With the arrival of independent Morocco, Asilah becomes part of the new kingdom.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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