El Jadidais a port city on theAtlanticcoast ofMorocco, in the province ofEl Jadida. It has a population of 144,440 (2004 census). From the sea, El Jadida's old city has a very "un-Moorish" appearance; it has massivePortuguesewalls of hewn stone. ThePortuguese Fortified City of Mazaganwas registered as aUNESCO World Heritage Sitein 2004, on the basis of its status as an "outstanding example of the interchange of influences between European and Moroccan cultures" and as an "early example of the realisation of the Renaissance ideals integrated with Portuguese construction technology". According to UNESCO, the most important buildings from the Portuguese period are the cistern, and theManuelineChurch of the Assumption.
The city, and particularly its neighbouring town of Sidi Bouzid, becomes extremely busy in the summer season with an influx of mainly Moroccan holiday-makers. Nearby is the five-star resort complex of Mazagan, which attracts the Moroccan elite as well as many international visitors from thePersian Gulfas well as from Europe and beyond. Mazagan has a golf course designed by Gary Player, casino, nightclub and restaurants. Between Mazagan and El Jadida is the Pullman Hotel, attached to which is Royal Golf El Jadida, another 18-hole course. The presence of nearbyportsandfactoriesis responsible for thepollutionof El Jadida'sbeaches.