Twenty-Six Centuries Marseille, France 2002
A Brief History

Marseille-located at 43 degrees north latitude and five degrees east longitude in the Dà‡partement of Bouche-du-Rhìne in southeastern France on the north shore of the Gulf Of Lions-was founded nearly 26 centuries ago by Phoenicians (Greeks) as the city of Massilia.

Established in 1599, Marseille has the oldest chamber of commerce in France. The city is filled with Islamic mosques, Jewish synagogues, and scattered varieties of Christian churches. Its bars and brothels have been a constant magnet for deviance, but the city’s romantic waterfront still evokes the mystery of far-off lands.

Marseille’s architecture preserves very few remnants of the past. Some landmarks, such as the transporter bridge that crossed the Old Port and the Panier District north of the harbor, were destroyed by the German occupation forces in 1943 and 1944.

After World War II, Marseille developed as a major European port and industrial center, proving to be highly successful in absorbing new waves of immigrants-former European colonists who crossed the Mediterranean from North Africa after Algeria won its independence in 1962.

Marseille attracted many thousands of migrant workers from North Africa in the 1960s as well. The economic crisis of the 70s halted industrial expansion, and as a result of the rise in unemployment and increased racial hostility toward its immigrants, Marseille still faces difficulties in providing for its mixed population.

With a current population of 800,550 people, Marseille has established itself as the second-largest city in France (behind Paris) and also boasts the largest European port, as well as being home to one of the finest skateparks in the world.

1. Tony Trujillo
2. Omar Hassan
3. Brian Patch
4. Chet Childress
5. Ben Krahn
6. Manuel Palacios