City wall

El Jadida (Atlantic Coast)

Islamic cities are walled structures, indicating a value placed on defense. Here, at the city of El Jadida on the Atlantic coast, the old city, or medina as it is called, is enclosed by the walls. Cities are also located in defensive locations, such as El Jadida's slight promontory along an otherwide smooth coastline south of Casablanca.

El Jadida, which was originally known as Mazagan, was entirely built by the Portuguese in the 1600s when they built a fort here at the edge of the rich grain country of the district known as the Doukkala. It is today largely an administrative center and summer beach resort.

-Why do cities' names change?

-What are the boys playing outside the city walls? Where is open space in the Islamic city?