known french spelling arabic major city fourth largest city country capital city mid southwestern region located north foothills snow capped located southwest southwest capital south northeast possibly important morocco imperial cities cities built region inhabited farmers times actual city founded cousin king ibn 12th century built schools bear influences red walls city built buildings constructed red sandstone period given city nickname red city grew rapidly established cultural religious trading centre sub africa busiest square africa period decline city surpassed early 16th century capital kingdom city regained wealthy embellished city palaces restored ruined monuments beginning 17th century city popular pilgrims morocco seven patron saints french morocco established held position nearly duration role dissolved independence morocco monarchy mayor second woman elected mayor morocco like cities comprises old fortified city packed vendors stalls bordered modern neighborhoods prominent today busiest cities africa serves major economic centre tourist destination tourism strongly advocated reigning monarch goal doubling number tourists visiting morocco million despite economic recession real estate hotel development grown dramatically 21st century particularly popular french numerous french celebrities property city largest traditional market morocco selling ranging traditional modern consumer electronics crafts employ significant percentage population primarily sell products tourists served railway station connects city northern morocco universities schools including number football clubs located including hosts formula championship races etymology exact meaning debated probable origin words means land god according historian town documented 11th century manuscript library meaning given country sons word feminine form word appears north african kingdom antiquity link remains controversial possibly originates ancient greek word black common english spelling french spelling widely spelled latin alphabet spanish arabic medieval times beginning 20th century entire country morocco known kingdom kingdom historic capital city morocco day persian south asian languages european names morocco etc directly derived word conversely city earlier times simply called similar travelers abroad city country diverged treaty morocco french spanish old usage lasted widely episode set motion country return independence morocco officially kingdom longer referring city known variety nicknames including red city daughter desert focus poetic comparing city drum beats african identity complex soul morocco history area inhabited farmers times numerous stone unearthed area founded calendar second cousin king ibn pious learned warriors desert numerous schools built developing community trading center sub africa grew rapidly established cultural religious center long capital built decorated numerous palaces city developing style characterized carved arches influence merged designs west_africa creating unique style architecture fully adapted environment completed city mosque mosque named son built houses coins brought gold silver city city capital stretching shores center spain atlantic coast great muslim world city fortified son built remain day completed palaces developed underground water system city known new garden preacher settled mountains south preached influenced revolt succeeded bringing fall nearby stopped short bringing following unsuccessful siege high mountains practiced orthodox islam took city leader min long siege killing people apart sought exile result city monuments destroyed constructed range palaces religious buildings including famous mosque built ruins palace twin unfinished built designer housed residence title borne rulers reign min far eastern named irrigation system perfected provide water new palm parks including garden result cultural reputation attracted writers artists especially including famous philosopher death began period instability stronghold tribal descendants sought power ruling family taken lost force multiple times stream brutal seizure followed massacre tribal families public doctrines pulpit mosque death widow attempted forcibly install son acquiring support army chiefs spanish mercenaries promise hand sack hearing terms people sought agreement military captains saved city destruction sizable conquered nomadic tribes overran city fell state decline soon led loss status capital rival city early 16th century capital kingdom period seat quickly status especially reigns thanks wealth amassed embellished palaces ruined monuments restored built replica palace costly rare materials including marble italy gold dust india jade china palace intended primarily hosting lavish ambassadors spain england ottoman_empire showcasing morocco nation power influence reached far borders dynasty regained position point contact routes mediterranean sub african centuries known location tombs morocco seven patron saints height popularity late 17th century reign festival saints founded request sultan tombs renowned figures moved attract pilgrims pilgrimage associated seven saints firmly established institution pilgrims visit tombs saints specific order follows theologian author virtues muhammad known patron saint city revered region known founded brotherhood student known known european christians authorized enter city acquired special permission sultan east european jews permitted early 20th century underwent years unrest premature death grand designated regent designated sultan age country plagued anarchy tribal revolts plotting feudal lords european proclaimed sultan powerful tribes high scholars denied legitimacy brother french doctor murdered suspected country france event pretext sending troops eastern town major metropolitan center west french colonial army encountered strong resistance son arrived accompanied nomadic tribal warriors march french morocco established saw victory column forces september french seized conquest facilitated rallying tribes leaders powerful family leading massacre citizens resulting turmoil known lord post held virtually year duration dominated city famous collaboration general residence authorities culminating plot replace sultan cousin known adventures lavish lifestyle symbol morocco colonial order subdue rise nationalist sentiment hostility growing proportion inhabitants resist pressure france agreed terminate launch war immediately following end war fight vietnam behalf successive madagascar allowed return morocco november bringing end rule surrounding region protocol giving independence morocco signed march french foreign minister independence morocco tourist destination 1960s early 1970s city attracted numerous western rock stars musicians artists film directors actors models fashion divas leading tourism revenues double morocco beatles rolling_stones spent significant time city bought property renovated especially france invested heavily 1960s developed palaces old buildings renovated new residences commuter villages built suburbs new hotels began spring united_nations agencies active beginning 1970s city international political presence subsequently grown declared old town area raising international awareness cultural heritage city 1980s purchased acres ain built family april signed establish march served site world water forum attended international participants 21st century property real estate development city dramatic increase new hotels shopping centres policies morocco aims increase number tourists annually visiting morocco million major gas explosion occurred city april bomb attack took place square killing people mainly foreigners blast destroyed nearby police sources arrested suspects claimed chief suspect loyal islamic denied involvement geography road located kilometres southwest kilometres southwest capital kilometres southwest kilometres southwest kilometres east kilometres northeast city expanded north old centre suburbs southeast west southwest airport road leading south city large villages leading eventually desert town edge high highest mountainous barrier north_africa average elevation snow covered high lies metres mainly composed limestone mountain range runs atlantic coast rises east extends northeast algeria disappearing tunisia valley located kilometres south valley river curving north red heights capped snow south sights area describes morocco city describes landscape following terms city lies miles foot mountains rise proportions spectacle mountains superb clear desert air eye follow rugged range great distances north eastward winter mantle white sky gives setting grey rocks caps beauty hectares palm trees oasis rich plant variety seasons orange olive trees display color fruits garden gardens city city gardens feature numerous native plants alongside species imported course centuries including giant palm trees banana trees rose bushes kinds plants climate hot semi arid climate average temperatures range winter summer relatively wet winter dry summer precipitation pattern mirrors precipitation patterns found mediterranean climates city receives rain typically found mediterranean climate resulting semi arid climate classification city averaged millimetres precipitation annually says climate region frequently described desert character familiar southwestern parts united_states locality suggest desert area seasonal rainfall moisture moves underground surface streams low brush takes place forests heavily regions location north south described desert city remains northern focus lines communication history types commerce arts related great south spaces reach desert demographics according census population number households economy vital component economy culture morocco improvements highways local airport led dramatic increase tourism city attracts million tourists annually importance tourism morocco weak economy vowed attract million tourists year morocco doubling number tourists city popular french french celebrities bought property city including fashion 1990s foreigners lived city real estate developments dramatically increased years foreigners purchased properties city lured culture relatively cheap house prices cited french weekly magazine second longer simply destination scattering adventurous seeking arabian nights fantasies desirable european jet set despite tourism boom majority city inhabitants poor households access water electricity enterprises city facing debt problems despite global economic crisis began investments real estate progressed substantially area tourist accommodation social housing main developments facilities tourists including hotels leisure centres golf courses health investments billion billion hotel infrastructure recent years experienced rapid growth new hotels scheduled open development boom compared flagship projects morocco hectares acres resort development suburbs world star resort expected significant contribution local national economy creating jobs attracting thousands visitors annually april complete avenue major city seen rapid development residential complexes luxury hotels contains claimed africa largest nightclub club plays house electro house music large cinema complexes new shopping trade crafts extremely important local tourism fueled economy employing people pottery leather crafts contain massive range items plastic palestinian style imported india china local adept making western style clothes materials comments offers incredible shopping experience narrow winding streets lead series smaller markets trade chaos market fascination open air shops number small specialist traders wandering streets pass entire day including major shopping centers square branch opened industrial production city centred neighborhood containing large factories workshops storage depots morocco subsidiary major italian cement firm factory industries services held art expo politics administration regional capital constitutes level administrative unit morocco forming region major centre law jurisdiction morocco major courts region located include regional numerous organizations region based including regional government administrative offices office regional public maintenance organizations testament development modern city june year old lawyer daughter assistant local authority chief elected female mayor city defeating outgoing mayor votes municipal council vote second woman history morocco obtain mayoral position mayor secretary general authenticity party pam stated election reflects image modern morocco appointment controversy resulted temporarily losing seat following month court ruled election fixed court found ballots distributed legal date vote records destroyed party called hour strike protest plot democratic process july presented resignation city council decision day legislative elections november ruling political party time rules national level party advocates islamic democracy won seats took seat pam won partial legislative elections constituency october leadership declared winner votes pam largely consisting friends came second place votes landmarks best known squares africa centre city activity trade described world famous square urban icon bridge past present place tradition encounters site roughly means assembly renovated city walls extended particularly surrounding mosque palace hospital parade ground gardens edges marketplace overhauled fortified subsequently fluctuating fortunes city saw periods decline renewal historically square public rulers sought maintain power frightening public square attracted surrounding desert mountains trade stalls raised square early history square attracted snake wild dark men long hair falling naked shoulders dancing boys tribe musicians playing pipes african drums said backward looking ill educated pan arab command economy imagined future today square attracts people diversity social ethnic backgrounds tourists world snake musicians monkey trainers sellers story medieval square largest traditional market morocco image city closely associated cites principal shopping attraction city connected fundamental section old city micro comprising number stalls shops range bigger wardrobe store fronts caves inside historically divided retail areas particular goods leather pottery divisions roughly exist significant overlap sell items like traditional muslim attire leather bags important trade largest sells brightly coloured leather jewellery contains stalls green red black mint common ingredient cuisine tea similarly dried fruit nuts including dates contains stalls selling hand woven natural hats shirts tea skins northeast market noted dark known jewellery nearby noted extensive collection belts sells modern consumer goods ensemble government run complex small arts crafts offers range leather goods young taught range crafts workshop complex city walls gates stretch kilometres city built 12th century protective fortifications walls distinct orange red clay chalk giving city nickname red city stand feet high gates towers built 12th century dynasty like refers people sub african origin land black gate called word meaning black palace gate historical sources corner pieces embellished floral decorations ornamentation framed panels marked inscription script letters renovated opening reduced size rule sultan ben located east jewish muslim near tomb solid towers stands near palace meaning lord gate southern exit city near built 12th century provides access roads leading mountain towns situated northeastern corner city main gates features man spring gardens gardens located west city gates mountains built ruler min derives pavilion small green pyramid roof pavilion built 16th century dynasty renovated sultan morocco stay pavilion nearby artificial lake surrounded olive lake created surrounding gardens sophisticated system underground channels called basin supplied water old hydraulic system conveys water mountains located approximately kilometres away small symmetrical pool films screened fish seen pond garden avenue time home landscape painter famed designer bought restored property features erected memory housed dark blue building garden open public large collection plants continents including bamboo located south built 12th century royal surrounded walls measuring hectares acres size gardens feature citrus olive trees sultan resided pavilion situated gardens site known historic swimming pool sultan said drowned situated mosque feature orange palm trees frequented years old named prince olive orange trees variety floral displays palaces historic wealth city manifested palaces lavish residences main palaces common based design roman villa characterized open central garden courtyard surrounded high walls construction provided occupants privacy lowered temperature building buildings note inside les note outside area include villa palace flanks eastern built sultan success portuguese battle kings lavish palace took quarter century build funded compensation portuguese african gold sugar cane revenue allowed marble brought italy materials shipped france spain india larger version palace ruin little left outer walls site location annual folklore festival events royal palace royal palace known located palace built palace 12th century site partly 16th century 17th century historically palaces owned king employed talented city construction palace open public privately owned french businessman rooms large unusually high ceilings elaborate geometric tile work covered cedar painted ceilings palace set extensive gardens built late 19th century ben resided wives children meaning brilliance intended greatest palace time designed capture essence islamic architectural styles paid special attention privacy palace construction employed architectural features multiple doors prevented seeing interior palace took seven years build hundreds working wood carved palace set acre garden rooms opening palace acquired reputation finest morocco wealthy citizens death palace raided largest mosque city located southwest quarter alongside square completed reign inspired buildings mosque red stone brick measures metres long metres wide designed prevent person tower viewing activity king style constructed sandstone stands metres high originally covered pink plaster 1990s experts opted remove plaster expose original stone work atop decorated copper balls decrease size style unique morocco distinguished green roof located oldest mosque originally built 12th century honor ibn ali built city largest mosque today half original size rebuilt sultan original fallen ruin built large library mosque deteriorated time leaving 19th century mosque intact discovered sunken location mosque site architectural style arches floor second floor bear twin shape embellished motif dome framed decorated arches seven pointed stars interior arched dome decorated distinctive carvings bordered inscribed patron corners dome covered motifs pine leaves replicated ben mosque known built 14th century style popularized located complex includes library school fountain largest important city located small square north mosque triple arched fountain origin decorated geometric patterns tombs tombs tombs built 16th century bury numerous rulers lost years french rediscovered aerial photographs comprises corpses members dynasty originated valley graves sultan family buried mother original square funeral structure located south wall mosque cemetery contains graves descendants tomb richly embellished decorations modeled spain building composed rooms best known roof supported columns tomb son room islamic architecture floral motifs marble finely worked cedar wood outside building garden graves soldiers servants tombs seven saints holds tombs seven patron saints morocco visited year pilgrims week long pilgrimage according tradition believed saints sleeping day resume good deeds pilgrimage tombs offers alternative people western morocco visit costly journey involved tombs undertaken achieve inner purity ritual performed following ordained sequence ibn lastly important seven tombs shrine old jewish quarter situated area city east created site sultan stables previously located time jewish community consisted large portion city sugar traders 16th century gardens arrival french jews property outside growth consequently contained limits neighborhood resulting narrow streets small shops higher residential buildings today mainly residential zone renamed currently occupies area smaller historic limits entirely muslim population built central courtyard located jewish cemetery largest kind morocco characterized white washed tombs sandy graves cemetery located land adjacent hotels principal tourist cities africa hotels star hotel art fusion style built considered eminent hotel city described grand dame hotels hotel hosted numerous internationally renowned people including winston_churchill wales churchill relax gardens hotel paint room hotel contains casino refurbished french designer hotels include golf palace march opened branded hotel set hectares acres olive grove hotel rooms restaurants square metres conference room culture museums housed old city centre built end 19th century palace carefully restored converted museum house represents example classical architecture central courtyard traditional seating areas intricate carvings cited having work ceiling combines mind excess work museum holds exhibits modern traditional art fine examples historical books coins pottery produced jewish arab peoples known located north palace brother grand bow constructed time reigning sultan death sultan house collection museum considered finest morocco jewellery high anti extreme south high oil lamps blue pottery green pottery art blue coloured building located private museum created home art studio recently renovated small exhibition rooms displays islamic artifacts decorations including pottery plates jewellery antique doors music theatre dance types music traditionally associated music influenced classical music accompaniment contrast music loud funky sound reminiscent blues performed instruments handheld drums music rhythm audience mood trance style said emerged ritual slavery recently female music groups risen popularity major performing arts institutions city royal built architect puts theatrical performances comedy opera dance french arabic greater number theatrical perform outdoors entertain tourists main square streets especially night daily_mail noted men dressed women performed street theatre delight ring ages crafts arts crafts wide enduring impact present day widely metal work women practice known expert fine products silk style limited tradition depicting bold forms decorations wood crafts generally cedar including doors palace ceilings orange wood making known soup craft products coloured indigenous morocco species extinct trees promoted artists cooperative includes brass lamps iron holders recycled engraved brass tea traditional serving tea contemporary art includes sculpture paintings blue paintings popular festivals festivals national islamic celebrated country observed national holidays cultural festivals note held include festival popular arts variety famous musicians artists participate festival international film festival north african version cannes film festival established festival showcases films world annually attracted hollywood stars european arabic indian film stars established cultural festival disciplines including visual arts cinema video literature performing arts architecture cuisine surrounded lemon orange olive city characteristics rich heavily hot preparations means head shop blend dozens include ash grains paradise monk pepper specialty city symbol cuisine local prepared beef meat slow cooked traditional oven hot ashes prepared chicken lamb beef fish adding fruits preserved lemon vegetables including meal prepared pot slow cooked steam version includes vegetables seasoned flower flavour similar blue cheese shrimp chicken lemon filled traditional specialty rice cooked added vegetables wrapped pie stuffed chicken prepared sugar soup typically includes lamb blend paste seasoned meat liver commonly sold stalls include usually prepared served dried fruit dates tea culture practiced green tea mint served sugar curved small glasses popular non alcoholic drink orange juice alcohol consumption common historically hundreds jews produced sold alcohol city present day alcohol sold hotel bars restaurants education universities schools including known component des sciences created engineering scientific research des sciences techniques known number morocco kind established operates institutions regions morocco main cities including addition known commerce private year college founded school affiliated commerce france school built partnership programs numerous american universities including primary secondary schools international schools include french secondary school french primary school french primary secondary school ben located north islamic college named sultan expanded city influence considerably largest morocco largest theological colleges north_africa time housing students college affiliated neighbouring founded dynasty 14th century education complex specialized law linked similar institutions tale constructed sultan largest prestigious morocco construction ordered completed attested inscription prayer room student dormitory cells cluster courtyard richly carved cedar marble accordance islam carvings contain representation humans animals consisting entirely inscriptions geometric patterns school best known teachers temporary closure beginning building refurbished reopened public historical site sports football clubs based include city contains race track hosts held roughly runners turn event annually golf popular sport city golf courses located outside city limits played year main courses road near oldest courses transport communications rail railway station linked trains running daily major cities morocco modern high speed rail system planned proposed road main road network paved major highway connecting south toll expressway length road stretch inaugurated april completing highway connects south west air airport southwest city centre international facility receives european flights flights arab nations airport located elevation metres formal passenger combined large terminal terminal built existing offer space capacity million passengers year runway long wide airport parking space boeing boeing aircraft separate freight terminal covered space healthcare long important centre healthcare morocco regional rural urban populations alike reliant hospitals city psychiatric hospital installed 16th century described historian greatest world time strong influence evident hospital physicians came places eastern spain severe strain placed healthcare facilities city decade city population grown dramatically major hospitals city february government signed loan agreement worth million dollars help improve medical services led expansions hospitals seven new buildings constructed total floor area square metres new medical equipment provided square metres existing hospital space king inaugurated regional psychiatric hospital built costing million approximately million dollars hospital beds covering area hectares acres announced plans construction million military hospital international relations twin towns sister cities france
Marrakesh