Name
Al Hoceima takes its name from the nearby Spanish-owned Alhucemas Islands (Spanish: Islas Alhucemas, "lavender islands"), and is an Arabised form of that name, itself from the Andalusi Arabic al-Khuzāmā. After independence, the Moroccan government established an Arabised name for Alhucemas coming up with Al Hoceima, following the standard French spelling. Some like the author of the Spanish encyclopedia Espasa-Calpe say Alhucemas is a corruption of al-Mazimma.
History
The Ait Ouriaghel Berber tribe (also 'Beni Urriaguel') dominated the area around Al Hoceima. Abd el-Krim, whose father was a qadi of the Ait Youssef ou Ali clan, organized a guerilla force against the Spanish during the Rif War, establishing the Republic of the Rif in 1921. In September 1925, Spanish General José Sanjurjo landed at Al Hoceima and claimed the territory for Spain.
The Spanish developed the town and named it Villa Sanjurjo after General Sanjurjo. The first mayor was Florian Gómez Aroca.
After Morocco gained its independence in 1956, Al Hoceima developed quickly, and the Moroccan government changed its name from the Spanish Villa Alhucemas to Al Hoceima.
The years from 1956 to 1959 were marked by challenges for the Rif region. …
Climate
The climate in Al Hoceima is generally warm and temperate. According to the Köppen-Geiger classification, the city has a Hot-summer Mediterranean climate. The average annual temperature is 17.7 °C, while average rainfall is around 414 mm per year. Summer begins at the end of June and ends in September. The most popular times to visit are July, August and September. The driest month is July with an average of 1 mm of precipitation, While the rainiest month is November with an average of 62 mm.
With an average of 24.4 °C, August is the warmest month. January has the lowest average temperature of the year with a comfortable 12.3 °C.
October exhibits the highest relative humidity, with an average of 78.90%. On the other hand, in July, the average level of relative humidity is slightly reduced at 68.76%.
In June the highest average of daily hours of sunshine is measured, with 12. …
Economy
The city's income is based on fishing and tourism. Many of its former inhabitants migrated to Europe during the 1960s through 1980s; large numbers of Moroccans in the Netherlands, France and Belgium were Al Hoceima natives, many of whom return to Al Hoceima during the summer, when the town is also frequented by tourists from Germany and France.
The town beach is Plage Quemado, which is also where fishers bring in their catch. A quieter beach is in nearby Asfiha. The Torres de Alcala and Kalah Iris beaches are also considered Al Hoceima beaches, though they are 60 km from town.
Transport
The city is served by the Cherif Al Idrissi Airport.
Notable people
Nasser Zefzafi, Moroccan political activist
Jamal Ben Saddik, Moroccan kickboxer
Tarik Elyounoussi, Norwegian footballer of Moroccan origins.
Mohamed Elyounoussi, Norwegian footballer of Moroccan origins.
Ibrahim Afellay, Dutch Former footballer of Moroccan origins.
Khalid Boulahrouz, Dutch Former footballer of Moroccan origins.
Isam Bachiri, Danish Singer of Moroccan origins
Mohamed Oulhaj, Moroccan footballer
Ilyas El Omari, Moroccan politician
Youssaf El Marnissi, Moroccan racing driver
