1st Hispano-Moroccan Days on Applied Mathematics and Statistics

Venue:

The HMAMS days will take place in the Moroccan city of Tetouan. It has a population of over 320,000. The official languages are Arabic (with Berber dialects); Spanish and French are also spoken. The currency is the Dirham (denoted by Dh and also by MAD; the exchange rate (April 2008) is 100 Dh ≅ € 9). Tetouan is well connected by road to other cities in Morocco. The nearest airport and railway station is Tangier.

Tetouan is a beautiful city situated slightly inland from the Mediterranean Sea. It is the only open port in Morocco on the Mediterranean Sea. This town is set in the backdrop of Rif mountains both to the south and west and it is one of the most visited Morocco popular destinations, with a number of tourist attractions on offer. The most well-known among them is Medina or old town. The distinct features of this traditional city is many low white houses, craftsmen, weavers, jewelers and leather workers on their daily chores as well as carpet seller. The Medina in Tetouan is listed as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO as well.

Another popular attraction in Tetouan is the 17th century old Khalifa´s palace restored and renovated in 1948. Besides, there are two museums, a college of fine arts and a school of Moroccan art which is also a great tourist attraction in Morocco. For People Coming into Morocco through Ceuta, Tetouan is Most likely to be their first encounter with Morocco. It may be wise to employ an official guide from the tourist office to lead you through the Medina. The tourist office is at 30 Rue Mohammed V. Much like Tangier and Chefchaouen, the architecture of the Medina is dominated by an Hispanic influence, as it was built by Muslim refugees from Spain in the 15th century. The Mellah, or Jewish quarter, is an interesting place (south of the Place on the Rue de la Luneta) with its tall, square houses and iron balconies with ornately decorated windows. The fascinating, winding disorder of the Andalucian Medina contrasts well with the grandeur of the Spanish new town.

The impressive and formal buildings built by the Spanish in the early 20th Century are set on broad streets and very easily navigated. Most of the hotels, banks and restaurants can be found here. The ramparts (the city walls) can be admired by walking downtown, just below the bus station. There is a garden beneath the walls and a craft school (Ecole de Metiers d´Arts Traditionnels) opposite the Bab El Okla. Do not miss a tour around the Center where you can see traditional Crafts being taught like the Making of tiles and carpet-weaving. There is also a Folk Museum (Musee Ethnographique) south of the Bab el-Okla where there is a beautiful collection of Andalucian Jewish and Islamic embroidery and rooms displaying pictures and costumes of traditional marriage ceremonies. There is a reasonable beach town 10 km from Tetouan called Martil. Martil has a couple of waterfront cafes. A grand taxi can be a good mode of transport to get to Ceuta or Tangier or Chefchaouen.

The HMAMS days will be held in Faculté des Sciences at the Université Abdelmalek Es-Saadi of Tetouan.