Time Zone |
America/New_York |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC-5 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC-4 |
Time Zone |
Africa/Casablanca |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+1 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+0 |
Located in western Massachusetts, on the banks of the Connecticut River and part of the Springfield metropolitan area, Holyoke was an important hub of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, and is known as the "Paper City" - famous for having housed nearly half of the nation's paper mills in the late 1800's. Today, the city combines industrial history with natural charm, and is home to Mount Tom State Park, which is the first of its kind in Massachusetts. Today, this city combines industrial history and natural charm with Mount Tom State Park, which offers panoramic views of the Connecticut River Valley, and a downtown with a collection of Victorian-era industrial buildings, including the Holyoke Canal System, which still stands as a testament to the prosperity of water transportation in the days of yore. As a multicultural community, the city retains its history and continues to revitalize itself with traditional events such as the annual Three County Fair and educational institutions such as Holyoke Community College.
Located on the Atlantic coast of western Morocco, Safi is an important port city in the Marrakech-Safi region, about 250 kilometers from the capital, Rabat. Famous for its blue coastline and rich fishing industry, this historic city is also one of Morocco's main phosphate exporting ports, and its economy is based on fishing, chemicals and traditional handicrafts. Safi is best known for its pottery, where local artisans produce colorful and uniquely patterned vessels dating back to the Middle Ages, which are still representative of Moroccan craftsmanship. The city's Kasbah Castle and the ruins of a 16th-century Portuguese fortress bear witness to its glorious past as a trading port. As the gateway between Morocco's interior and the Atlantic Ocean, Safi retains a quaint Arabian flavor while exuding the energy of a port city, making it an ideal place to experience the charm of Morocco's maritime culture and crafts.