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Marrakech (مراكش marrākiš), known as the "Pearl of the South," is a city in southwestern Morocco in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Marrakech is a Berber word; it could mean the country of god (murt 'n akush), but this is unproven as there are many other interpretations ^{[Citation needed]}. The name is sometimes also spelled Marrakesh. Marrakech is located at 31°37′60″N, 8°0′0″W Marrakech has the largest berber market (souk) in Morocco and also hosts the busiest square in the entire Africa, called Djemaa el Fna.

Like many Middle Eastern cities, Marrakech has two main divisions: the médina and the modern city.

Marrakech is served by Ménara International Airport.

Contents 1 Demographics 2 History 3 Sites 3.1 Areas and neighborhoods 3.2 Mosques, medrassas, synagogues and zaouias 3.3 Palaces, dars and villas 3.4 Cemeteries, koubbas and mausolea 3.5 Handicrafts and business 3.6 Museums 3.7 Ramparts and gates 3.8 Places and squares 3.9 Gardens and parks 3.10 Other structures 4 Fictional Works About 5 External links

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Morocco

The official number of residents is 450,000; however, the population is estimated to be around one 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 the Bloodthirsty, Marrakech was the capital of Morocco. After his reign, his grandson moved the capital back to Marrakech from Meknès.

Sites

Areas and neighborhoods

• Médina
  • Casbah
  • Mellah
• Modern city
  • Guéliz
  • Hivernage
  • Semlalia
  • Daudiate

Mosques, medrassas, synagogues and zaouias

• Koutoubia Mosque
• Ben Youssef Medrassa, Ben Youssef Mosque
• Casbah Mosque/Mansouria Mosque
• Bab Doukkala Mosque
• Mouassine Mosque
• Zaouia of Sidi Bel Abbès, Zaouia of Sidi Ben Slimane el Jazouli
• Zaouia of Sidi Youssef Ben Âli
• Sidi Moulay el Ksour Mosque
• Synagogue Beth-El
• Synagogue Salat el Azama
• Synagogue Salat Rabi Pinhasse

Palaces, dars and villas

• El Badi Palace
• Royal Palace (Dar el Makhzen) and méchouars
• Bahia Palace
• Dar Si Saïd Museum
• Maison Tiskiwin
• Dar el Glaoui
• Villa Majorelle at the Majorelle Garden

Cemeteries, koubbas and mausolea

• Saadian Tombs
  • Mausoleum of Ahmed el-Mansour
  • Second mausoleum
• Koubba of Fatima Zohra and Koutoubia Mosque cemetery
• Koubba el Baâdiyin
• Koubba Cadi Ayyad
• Jewish cemetery
• Sidi Abd el Aziz
• Sidi es Souheyli

Handicrafts and business

• Souks
  • Souk Kimakhin (stringed instruments)
  • Souk el Bradiia (pitchers)
  • Souk Hadaddine (metalwork)
    • Souk Nahhassine (brass, copper)
  • 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

• Dar Si Saïd Museum
• Marrakech Museum
• Bert Flint Museum at Maison Tiskiwin
• Islamic Art Museum at the Majorelle Garden

Ramparts and gates

• Ramparts
• Gates
  • Bab Debbagh
  • Bab Agnaou
  • Bab el Khémis
  • Bab er Robb
  • Bab el Jédid
  • Bab Doukkala
  • Bab Aghmat
  • Bab Nkob
  • Bab er Raha
  • Bab Aylen
  • Bab Ahmar
  • Bab Ighli
  • Bab Ksiba
  • Bab ech Charia
  • Bab el Makhzen
  • Bab Berrima
  • Bab Taghzout
  • Bab er Rharaza
  • Bab Fteuh

Places and squares

• Place Djemaâ el Fna
• Square Charles de Foucauld
• Place de la Liberté
• Place du 16 Novembre
• Place des Ferblantiers
• Place Youssef Ben Tachfine
• Place Mourabiten

Gardens and parks

• Palmery
• Majorelle Garden
• Ménara Garden and olive grove
• Agdal Garden
• Koutoubia Mosque park at Square de Foucauld

Other structures

• Chrob ou Chouf Fountain
• Convention Center (Palais des Congres)
• Opera House
• Cadi Ayyad University

Fictional Works About

• Marrakesh Express Crosby Stills and Nash
• Marrakech by Andre Tanneberger
• Marrakesh by New Model Army
• Marrakech by George Orwell

External links

• Marrakech entry in LexicOrient
• Marrakech on wikitravel
• Google Maps
• Marrakech at the Magic Morocco
• I love Marrakesh A site featuring nice pictures and history of Marrakesh

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