Al Hoceima - City of Morocco

Al Hoceima is a city and port in the north of Morocco and in the center of the Rif Mountains. It is the capital of the Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate region. It is situated in the territory of the Bucoya tribe of the Rif who speak Tamazight.

The Spanish started to develop Al Hoceima around 1925. General Sanjurjo landed with his troops on the beach of Al Hoceima during the Rif Rebellion and claimed the territory for Spain. He named the territory after himself, namely Villa Sanjurjo. Many locals still call the city "Villa" in addition to the official Al Hoceima.

The Spanish troops started building houses, schools and hospitals above the beach and it started to look more and more like a small town. In the 1920's and 30's the town had almost no growth in population. Its name changed from Villa Sanjurjo to Villa Alhucemas and the few streets above the beach were still occupied by mainly Spanish soldiers and their families. The first major was Florian Gómez Aroca.

After Morocco gained its independence in 1956, Al Hoceima quickly began to develop. The Moroccan government changed its name from the Spanish "Villa Alhucemas" to Al Hoceima.

Al Hoceima is now a moderate size city with an estimated population of 100.000 and it has the second largest port of the Rif Region, Nador being the largest. The first schools built by the Spanish colonials and a Spanish catholic church still exist today.

Spanish culture has left its mark on the city, its proof being that the inhabitants of Al Hoceima still have the siesta and the afternoon paseo around the city square and the downtown shops.

The beach were General Sanjurjo and his troops landed in 1925 is today the most popular beach in Al Hoceima. It's called Playa Quemado and it houses the luxurious Mohammed V hotel, complete with tennis court, a restaurant, cocktail bar and nightbclub.