TRAVEL GUIDES DIRECTORY: CADIZ SPAIN ALGECIRAS

Algeciras is primarily a port town, and is one of the most important ones in the province. Located in the Mediterranean side of Cádiz, just north of Tarifa and towards Gibraltar, the traffic of passengers in this port is considered one of the highest in the world especially during summer months when migrant workers from many of the countries in southern Europe return to their homes in the north of Africa. Since these passengers consist mainly of Moroccans, the ports are language-friendly; Arabic signs are consistently found in the area as well as shops which offer Moroccan refreshments like the traditional Moroccan mint tea.

There are debates on the origins of the name 'Algeciras.' Some say it comes from the word 'Al-jezirah al Hadra' which means 'Green Island.' Others say it was derived from another similar word 'al-jazeera' which means 'peninsula.' Both words however are of Arabic origin. Not surprisingly since the area was dominated by Muslims for 6 centuries starting from the year 711.

Algeciras was conquered briefly by Christians with Alfonso XI on the lead in 1344 but was later recaptured in a Jewish Nazarite assault. In 1379, the town was burned down by the new settlers because they opted for it to be destroyed instead of falling into the hands of the Spanish Castillans. Algeciras was deserted and forgotten for almost four centuries but regained its population as soon as Spain lost the town of Gibraltar to the British-an opportune time for Gibraltar settlers to move back into Spanish territory.

Today, Algeciras population has reached over 100,000, serving an industry of deep water container ports for large tankers, and an oil refinery. There is also a substantial amount of agrarian land cultivators and fishermen, and of course workers in the tourism industry.

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