Larache

Founded in the 12th century, Larache is a small fishing port on the Atlantic coast, 70 km south of Tangier. It lies on the estuary of the river Loukkos, whose meandering offshoots form a sound, enclosing stretches of salt marsh. The town, whose two hundred thousand inhabitants live mainly off fishing, canning and a little tourism, is also an administrative center for the region. Due to the successive influence of Spanish and Arab occupations, its architecture varies from one district to another. The old town is typically Arab, while the new town is Andalusian in style.