Safi (
Berber:
Asfi, ⴰⵙⴼⵉ; ,
Portuguese:
Safim) is a city in western
Morocco on the
Atlantic Ocean. The capital of
Safi Province, it has a population of 282,227 (2004 census), but is also the centre of an
agglomeration which has an estimated 793,000 inhabitants (1987). The city was under
protectorate by the
Portuguese Empire from 1488 to 1541, the fortress built by
Vasco da Gama's brother-in-law to protect the city, under
Portuguese rule is still there today. Safi is the main fishing port for the country's
sardine industry, and also exports
phosphates, textiles and
ceramics. During the
Second World War, Safi was one of the landing sites for
Operation Torch.