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Marrakesh

Coordinates: 31°38′N 8°0′W / 31.633°N 8.000°W / 31.633; -8.000
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This article is about the Moroccan city of Marrakech. For other uses, see Marrakesh (disambiguation).

31°38′N 8°0′W / 31.633°N 8.000°W / 31.633; -8.000

Marrakech
مراكش Murrākush
Country Morocco
RegionMarrakech-Tensift-El Haouz
ProvinceMarrakech Province
Population
 (2004)
 • Total
1,070,838

Marrakech or Marrakesh (Amazigh: Murakush, Arabic مراكش marrākuš, marrākiš), known as the "Red City", is an important and former imperial city in Morocco. The city of Marrakech is the capital of the mid-southwestern economic region of Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, near the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains.

Like many North African cities, the city of Marrakech comprises both an old fortified city (the médina) and an adjacent modern city (called Gueliz) for a total population of 1,070,838.[1] It is served by Ménara International Airport (IATE code: RAK) and a rail link to Casablanca and the north.[1]

Marrakech has the largest traditional market (souk) in Morocco and also has one of the busiest squares in Africa and the world, Djemaa el Fna.[2] The square bustles with acrobats, story-tellers, water sellers, dancers and musicians. By night food stalls open in the square turning it into a huge busy open-air restaurant.

Name

View of Marrakesh and El Badi Palace, by Adriaen Matham, 1640.

The city is spelled "Marrakech" in French, "Marrakech" or "Marrakesh" in English, "Marrakesch" in German and "Marakeş" in Turkish. The probable origin of its name is from the Amazigh (Berber) words mur (n) akush (ⵎⵓⵔ ⵏ ⴰⵅⵓⵙⵂ), which means "Land of God". (The root "mur" is used now in the Berber languages mostly in the feminine form "tamurt"). The same word "mur" appears in the names Mauretania, the North African kingdom of the Maghreb during antiquity, and in contemporary Mauritania, the nation-state southwest of Morocco, although the link remains controversial as these names may also originate from navros, the ancient Greek word for black.

Until a few decades ago, Morocco was widely known as "Kingdom of Marrakech" to Arabs, Persians and Europeans. The European names of Morocco (Marruecos, Marrocos, Maroc, Marokko, etc.) are directly derived from the Berber word Murakush, and in many South Asian languages the country is in fact still known as "Marrakesh". Conversely, the city itself was in earlier times simply called Marocco (City) (or similar) by travellers from abroads. The name of the city and the country diverged after the Treaty of Fez placed Morocco under French influence, but the old interchangeable usage lasted widely until about the interregnum of Mohammed Ben Aarafa. The latter episode set in motion the country's return to independence, when Morocco officially became al-Mamlaka al-Maġribiyya (المملكة المغربية) – "The Western Kingdom" –, its name not referring to the city of Marrakesh anymore.

History

The Koutoubia Mosque, built in the 12th century CE

Prior to the advent of the Almoravids in the 11th century, the area was ruled from the city of Aghmat. The Almoravid leader, Abu-Bakr Ibn-Umar decided Aghmat was becoming overcrowded and chose to build a new capital. He decided to build it in the plains near the Tansift river. He chose the site of Marrakech, because it was in neutral territory between two tribes who were vying for the honor of hosting the new capital.[citation needed] Work started in May 1070, but Abu-Bakr was recalled to the Sahara to put down a rebellion in January 1071 and the city was completed by his deputy and eventual successor Yusuf ibn Tashfin.[3] The city experienced its greatest period under the leadership of Yaqub al-Mansur, the third Almohad sultan. A number of poets and scholars entered the city during his reign and he began the construction of the Koutoubia Mosque and a new kasbah.

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.

The ancient city walls known as Medina of Marrakech

For centuries Marrakech has been known for its 'seven saints.' When sufism was at the height of its popularity, during the reign of Moulay Ismail, the festival of the 'seven saints' was founded by Abu Ali al-Hassan al-Yusi at the request of the sultan. The tombs of several renowned figures were moved to Marrakech to attract pilgrims in the same way Essaouira did at that time with its Regrega festivals. The 'seven saints' (sebaatou rizjel) is now a firmly established institution, attracting visitors from everywhere. The seven saints include Sidi Bel Abbas (the patron saint of the city), Sidi Muhammad al-Jazuli, Sidi Abu al-Qasim Al-Suhayli, Cadi Ayyad ben Moussa, Abdelaziz al-Tebaa and Abdallah al-Ghazwani.

Marrakech was dominated in the first half of the 20th century by T'hami El Glaoui, "Lord of the Atlas" and Pasha of Marrakech. The poet of the city was Mohammed Ben Brahim, his favorite place was café Al-Masraf. The poems and songs of Ben Brahim are still known by heart by many Marrakshi.

Demographics

Marrakech had an official number of population of 1,070,838 in 2004.[1] There is a very large international community consisting mainly of Europeans estimated at 10,700 people, mostly retired.[citation needed]

Further information: [[:Demographics of Morocco]]

Economy

Atlas Blue, a budget airline, has its head office on the grounds of Marrakech-Menara Airport.[4]

Main sights

Main article: List of places in Marrakech
One of the food stalls that opens at night in the Djemaa el Fna square

Many tourists venture from Marrakech to visit the valley of the Ourika River in the Atlas Mountains or the valley of the Draa River in the south, near the Sahara desert. They also tour the Middle Atlas Mountains, where the Waterfalls of Beni Mellal are found, and to Essaouira on the Atlantic ocean. Try the tour company http://www.marrakech-loisirs.com - who will be able to provide all tours and sight seeing experiences in Marrakech. But for the city tour, it's best to venture out and explore by yourself and get lost in the Medina - as it is fun and there is no need to get any guides or services.

Transport

Mechanic at work, Marrakech, 2009
  • CTM coaches (intercity buses) and various private lines run services to most notable Moroccan towns as well as a number of European cities, from the Gare Routière on Rue Bab Doukkala in downtown Marrakech.
  • Marrakech is the southern terminus of the ONCF, the Moroccan railway network, and Marrakech is well served by trains heading to Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, and Fes. The Marrakech railway station is located on Avenue Hassan II.
  • The ONCF-owned "Supratours" bus company serves towns not served by the train. The bus timetable coordinates with the train timetable and the bus terminal is right beside the station.

Notable residents

Sister cities

Climate

Climate data for Marrakech, Morocco (1961-1990)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 18.4
(65.1) 		19.9
(67.8) 		22.3
(72.1) 		23.7
(74.7) 		27.5
(81.5) 		31.3
(88.3) 		36.8
(98.2) 		36.5
(97.7) 		32.5
(90.5) 		27.5
(81.5) 		22.2
(72.0) 		18.7
(65.7) 		26.4
(79.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 5.9
(42.6) 		7.6
(45.7) 		9.4
(48.9) 		11.0
(51.8) 		13.8
(56.8) 		16.3
(61.3) 		19.9
(67.8) 		20.1
(68.2) 		18.2
(64.8) 		14.7
(58.5) 		10.4
(50.7) 		6.5
(43.7) 		12.8
(55.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 32.2
(1.27) 		37.9
(1.49) 		37.8
(1.49) 		38.8
(1.53) 		23.7
(0.93) 		4.5
(0.18) 		1.2
(0.05) 		3.4
(0.13) 		5.9
(0.23) 		23.9
(0.94) 		40.6
(1.60) 		31.4
(1.24) 		281.3
(11.08)
Source: Hong Kong Observatory[6]
Panoramic picture of the Djemaa el Fna[7] square at sunset. Koutoubia Mosque appears on the extreme left. The souks are in the alleys behind the square

References and notes

  1. ^ a b c "Recensement Général De La Population Et De L'Habitat De 2004" (PDF). hcp.ma. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  2. ^ Ready for the masses? - Daily Telegraph
  3. ^ Ibn Idhari, Al-bayan al-mughrib Part III, annotated Spanish translation by A. Huici Miranda, Valencia, 1963
  4. ^ "Contact." Atlas Blue. 15 February 2008. Retrieved on 26 June 2010.
  5. ^ Review of "We Are To Answer" at Music Aloud
  6. ^ "Climatological Information for Marrakech, Morocco", Hong Kong Observatory, 2003, web: HKO-Marrakech.
  7. ^ Image credit
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