Tarfaya

découvrez tarfaya, une charmante ville côtière du sud du maroc, riche en histoire et en paysages magnifiques. parfaite pour les amateurs de nature et de culture.
© Signification Noms Prenoms - Tarfaya
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Tarfaya, this name has always intrigued me, you know, this small town lost at the end of Morocco, between ocean and desert. I often came across the name in travel or adventure stories in Africa. But what could this place have marked to still be talked about today?

Every time I thought about Tarfaya, I pictured a tiny port, almost forgotten, swept by the wind. It’s strange for such an isolated place to have such a rich history, between fishing, royalty, and even aviation… Yes, aviation, you read that right.

What fascinated me is this end-of-the-world atmosphere, but also this almost tangible closeness to Europe, just a few nautical miles from the Canary Islands. A place where times overlap, where the colonial past meets a future still under construction.

I read that Tarfaya was a bit like a bridge between worlds. It is where Saint-Exupéry, the famous author and pilot, worked. Incredible, isn’t it? It makes you want to know more about this somewhat rebellious town, with traditions and breathtaking wild landscapes.

So, if you are as curious as I am, follow me in this discovery of Tarfaya. I promise, we will talk about fishing, desert, kingdom stories, and even wind and tourism!

The origin and fascinating history of Tarfaya, a small gem of southern Morocco

Well, to start with, Tarfaya is a town located about 890 kilometers south of Rabat, on the Atlantic coast. It’s not exactly nearby! What’s crazy is that it is also called Cap Juby. This name makes me think of a trading post or some sort of outpost, which is not wrong… Indeed, in the 19th century, the British set up a trading post there, the famous Casa del Mar. But their stay was short-lived because in 1885, under pressure from the Moroccan Sultan Hassan I and the Saharan tribes, they had to give way to the local population.

But the story doesn’t end there, far from it. Later, in 1916, under Spanish rule, Tarfaya took on the slightly more exotic name of Villa Bens, in tribute to Francisco Bens… This change reflects well the colonial tensions this region went through.

What really surprised me is that in the 1920s, Tarfaya became a key player in the famous Aéropostale, the Latécoère company, and guess who was appointed station chief there? Antoine de Saint-Exupéry himself. A small remote corner that then became a symbol of adventure and daring…

What does the name Tarfaya really mean?

Well, that’s not very clear, but from what I understood, the name “Tarfaya” comes from the Amazigh word “tarif,” which can mean a promontory or a point, which fits well with its geographical position between sea and desert. We can even imagine the word as the border between two worlds, which is quite poetic.

Some linguists also think that the name has Arabic roots, associated with notions of “limit” or “border,” which would echo its place on the edge of the Sahara and on the boundary between land and water. In short, it’s a name that evokes both raw nature and separation, passage… Like an open door between the African continent and the neighboring European Canaries.

The geographical distribution of Tarfaya and its impact on the region

Tarfaya today is a small port of about 5,600 inhabitants, according to the slightly old 2004 census. It’s rather small, but its location is crucial. Nestled between the Sahara desert and the Atlantic Ocean, it is a point of passage and connection between Africa and Europe. No wonder fishing is the main activity, with close links to the Canary Islands.

This lost corner has long been isolated, a real corridor of wind and sea. But in recent years, tourism and development projects, such as the construction of a tourist hub by Moroccan and Jordanian actors, are trying to restore its shine. Not to mention a wind farm under development, ready to harness all this natural energy. So, we should hear more and more about Tarfaya in the coming years.

The different forms and neighboring names of Tarfaya

In itself, Tarfaya is a fairly unique name, quite linked to its territory. But I noticed that depending on the eras and colonial influences, it has been designated differently. For example, “Cap Juby” is a historical name still used to designate the province. Under Spanish occupation, the name Villa Bens also circulated, especially in the first half of the 20th century.

In Spanish archives, you sometimes come across these variants, which clearly shows this historical richness. Not to mention that locally, pronunciation can vary, a bit like a desert breeze that changes words. It gives a beautiful human flavor to this toponym.

Famous figures linked to Tarfaya

Well, impossible to miss the most famous: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Yes, the same author of The Little Prince, who was also a pilot. He spent some time as aerodrome chief in Tarfaya and wrote “Southern Mail” there. It’s just incredible how such a small place can inspire a monument of literature.

Besides him, the town is also known for its role in the Green March of 1975, this peaceful gathering of more than 350,000 Moroccans decided by King Hassan II. A key step in modern Moroccan history, and Tarfaya was its starting point.

You can say that far more than just a fishing village, Tarfaya carries within it the soul of courage and resistance.

Some leads to start genealogical research on Tarfaya

If by chance you have ancestors linked to Tarfaya, or the name intrigues you, research can be very enriching. Try looking at Spanish or even British colonial archives due to the periods of occupation. Fishermen’s registers, documents related to Aéropostale, or local archives kept at the Saint-Exupéry museum can also be excellent sources.

The fact that the town changed administrations several times complicates things a bit but also offers very varied leads. And who knows? Maybe by digging a little, you’ll discover a link with the great air expeditions or the famous Green March?

Some numbers and stories that bring Tarfaya to life

So, Tarfaya today is still a small fishing town, but also a place that is slowly beginning to transform thanks to a budding tourism and a wind farm under construction. This evolution is a good sign to preserve this wild land.

There are about 5,600 inhabitants, although since 2004, this number may have changed. What is quite fascinating is that a part of this population still holds the living memory of the Green March and the time of Aéropostale. In 2025, Tarfaya could become a flagship destination for those who want beyond the beaches, to discover a true crossroads of history, cultures, and wild nature.

  • ⚓ An important point: Tarfaya faces directly the Canary Islands, facilitating the story of local fishing.
  • 🛩️ Aéropostale and Saint-Exupéry: a real historical treasure.
  • 🕌 Its role in the struggle for the Moroccan Sahara with the Green March.
  • 🌬️ The wind and the desert, drivers of a modern wind farm project.
  • 🏝️ Tourism still discreet but already promising, between desert, beach, and history.

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