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MARRAKECH
Marrakech or Marakesh (مراكش Murrakush), known as the "Red City or Al Hamra," is a city in southwestern Morocco in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. One of the possible origin of its name could be from the Tamazight (Berber) words mur (n) akuch, which means Land of God. (The root "mur" is nowadays in the Berber languages only used in the feminin form "tamurt"). The same word "mur/mawr" appears in the country Mauritania, but this interpretation is still unproven to this day, and there are other possibilities which are often invoked. The name Morocco itself derives from Murrakush. This city is located at 31°37′60″N, 8°0′0″W and is the capital of the Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz region. Marrakech has the largest traditional market (souk) in Morocco and also has the busiest square in the entire continent of Africa, called Djemaa el Fna.
Like many North African and Middle Eastern cities, Marrakech has two main divisions: the old city (médina) and the modern city.
Marrakech is served by Ménara International Airport.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Morocco
The official number of residents is one million; however, the population is estimated to be around two million. The largest part of the population of Marrakech is of Berber origin.
History
Main article: History of Morocco
Yusuf ibn Tashfin, member of the Almoravides dynasty, founded the city in 1062.
Prior to the reign of Moulay Ismail, Marrakech was the capital of Morocco. After his reign, his grandson moved the capital back to Marrakech from Meknès.
Sites
Areas and neighborhoods
Mosques, medrassas, synagogues and zaouias
Palaces, dars and villas
Cemeteries, koubbas and mausolea
Handicrafts and business
- Souks
- Souk Kimakhin (stringed instruments)
- Souk el Bradiia (pitchers)
- Souk Hadaddine (metalwork)
- Souk Chouari (basketry, woodturning)
- Dyers' Souk, Wool Souk
- Souk Smarine (clothing)
- Rahba Quedima ("Old Square")
- Souk el Kebir (leatherwork)
- Kissarias
- Souk el Batna (skins)
- Souk el Maazi (goatskin)
- Souk Zrabia (Criée Berbère, Carpet Souk)
- Souk Fakharina
- Souk Siyyaghin (jewelry)
- Souk Smata (slippers, belts)
- Souk aux tenturiers
- Cherratine Souk
- Attarine Souk
- Tanneries
- Hôtel la Mamounia
- Handicraft center
- Gidel Building
- Renaissance Café
- Société Générale
- Marjane hypermarket
Museums
Ramparts and gates
Places and squares
Gardens and parks
Other structures
Fictional Works About
Non-Fiction Works About
Born in Marrakech
External links
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