Marrakech “Red City” is the most important former imperial city in Morocco‘s history. Situated on the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, is also the 2nd largest city in Morocco, with a population of 1,070,000 (2010). Like many North African cities, the city of Marrakech comprises both an old fortified city and a modern city called Gueliz. 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. 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.
Morocco’s fourth imperial city the others being Rabat, Marrakech, and Meknes. It comprises three distinct parts, Fes el Bali (the old, walled city), Fes-Jdid (new Fes, home of the Mellah) and the Ville Nouvelle (the French-created, newest section of Fes).
Fez el Bali is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its medina, the larger of the two medinas of Fes, is believed to be the world’s largest contiguous car-free urban area. The University of Al-Karaouine, founded in 859AD, is the oldest continuously functioning university in the world. It has been called the “Mecca of the West” and the Athena of Africa. The city was founded on a bank of the Fez River by Idris I in 789, founder of the Idrisid dynasty, the works being continued on the opposite bank by his son Idris II (808).
Casablanca is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is Morocco’s largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the kingdom. First settled in the 7th century and reconstructed in 1756. The 2010 census recorded a population of 3,949,805 in the prefecture of Casablanca and 3,631,061 in the countrysides.
Casablanca is considered the economic and business center of Morocco, while the political capital city of Morocco is Rabat. Casablanca hosts headquarters and main industrial facilities for the leading Moroccan and international companies based in Morocco. Industrial statistics show Casablanca retains its historical position as the main industrial zone of the country. The Port of Casablanca is one of the largest artificial ports in the world and the largest port of North Africa.
The original name of the city is a Spanish word combination meaning ‘White House’ (Blanca, ‘white. casa, ‘house’). It is thought that the Spaniards adopted the name from Portuguese Casa Branca. The city is now nicknamed Casa by many locals.