Marrakech

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(Redirected from Marrakesh)

Image:Koutoubia Mosque,Marrakech,Morocco.jpg Image:Marrakech square night.jpg Image:MoroccoMarrakech townfromhill.jpg Image:MoroccoMarrakech cityHall.jpg Marrakech (مراكش marrākiš), or Marrakesh 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 Template:Fact. Marrakech is located at Template:Coor dms Marrakech has the largest traditional market (souk) in Morocco and also hosts 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.

1 Demographics
2 History
3 Sites
4 Fictional Works About
5 Born in Marrakech
6 External links

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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.

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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.

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Sites

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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

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Handicrafts and business

Image:Carpets in Marrakech.JPG

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