RABAT
Rabat
Rabat is the capital of Morocco and its seventh largest city with an urban population of approximately 580,000 and a metropolitan population of over 1.2 million. It is located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg. On the facing shore of the river lies Salé, Rabat’s sister city. Together they form a conurbation called Rabat-Salé which is home to over 1.8 million people, 35% of Morocco’s urban population.
History
Rabat was founded in the 12th century by the Almohads on the site of an old Phoenician settlement and trading port. The city’s name comes from the Arabic word for “fortified place,” ribat.
Early history
The city was first established by the Phoenicians as a trading port, and later became a capital under the Carthaginians and Romans. It was known as Sala Colonia during these periods. The Romans annexed what is now mainland Morocco to their empire in AD 42, and the town became a colonia within Mauretania Tingitana. Roman settlement was probably limited to the shoreline, but there is evidence for the presence of fishermen and even farmers in inland areas at this time.
Under the Vandals, it became a bishopric – although it was reconquered by Belisarius as part of Justinian I’s efforts to restore Roman control of Africa. The Umayyad Caliphate conquered Rabat along with Chellah and Salé in 707 AD; these represents the last Arab conquests on mainland Morocco.
Modern history
In the late 19th century, Rabat became an important center of the Moroccan international trade. The French established there a protectorate in 1912. In order to control the growing power of the sovereigns, they installed in Rabat in 1915 a Resident General; with considerable autonomy, he governed not only Rabat, but also Casablanca and the whole Protectorate.
Rabat was occupied by Axis forces in World War II on 13 November 1942 and stayed under their control until Allied troops liberated it on 11 February 1943. From 1946 to 1956 it was the capital of Morocco while Tangiers was being developed as a new financial center.
Geography
Rabat is the capital of Morocco and its seventh largest city with an urban population of approximately 580,000 (2014) and a metropolitan population of over 1.2 million. It is located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg. On the facing shore of the river lies Salé, Rabat’s bedroom community. Together, the two form a conurbation of over 1.8 million people.
Climate
Rabat has a moderate climate; however, the city is located on the Atlantic Ocean and experiences heavy rainfall during the winter months. The average temperature in Rabat is 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit), and the average rainfall is 100 millimeters (4 inches).
Cityscape
The capital of Morocco, Rabat, is on the Atlantic coast with a population of just over 1 million people. The city’s history goes back to the 8th century when it was founded by the Berbers. The city then fell to the Almoravids and then the Almohads before being occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century. The Portuguese were then ousted by the Moroccan Sultan in 1765. In 1912, Rabat became the capital of Morocco when it was made a French protectorate. The city has a number of interesting buildings from its time as a French protectorate including the Hassan Tower and Mohammad V Mausoleum which are both World Heritage Sites.
Demographics
Rabat is the capital and fourth largest city in Morocco with an urban population of approximately 580,000 and a metropolitan population of over 1.2 million. It is also the capital of the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra administrative region. The city is located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg. On the facing shore of the river lies Salé, Rabat’s sister city. Together with Temara the cities account for a combined metropolitan area of over 2 million inhabitants. This makes it Moroccos second largest conurbation after Casablanca, although comfortable in scale compared to other large North African cities like Cairo or Algiers.
Economy
The city’s modern life is still largely centred around the medina, the old fortified city, where there are a number of historical and interesting monuments. The abandonment of the modern city by more affluent residents to live in luxury gated communities further north has led to a decline in investment in infrastructure and today almost half the population lives in poverty. Rabat has a small but active industrial sector located mostly in the Salé suburb, industries include food processing, textiles and construction. There are a number of foreign manufacturing companies located in Rabat’s free economic zone (Ville Nouvelle de Salé).
Infrastructure
Rabat has a well-developed infrastructure, with a wide range of public and private services that provide a high quality of life for residents. The city has a modern transport network, with an extensive network of roads and a busy airport. There is a good selection of schools and hospitals, and the city is well connected to the rest of the country.
Transportation
The city of Rabat has a good infrastructure with a well-developed transportation system. The city is served by an extensive network of buses, trams, and taxis. The public transportation system is reliable and efficient, making it easy to get around the city. Rabat also has a international airport, which is located just outside the city center.
Education
Rabat is home to several universities and educational institutions. The largest and oldest is the University of Rabat, which was founded in 1957. The university has faculties of law, sciences, medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry. It also has an institute of business administration. There are approximately 28,000 students enrolled at the university. Other institutions of higher education in Rabat include the renowned Mohammed V University in Rabat, which was founded in 1927, and the Hassan II Université des Nouvelles Technologies de l’Information et de la Communication, which was founded in 2001.
Culture
The city of Rabat is the capital of Morocco and has a population of over 1.2 million people. The city is situated on the Atlantic Ocean and is home to a number of historical and cultural landmarks. Rabat has a rich history and was once known as the “White City” due to its white-washed buildings. The city is also home to a number of museums, art galleries, and parks.
Media
Rabat has a number of daily newspapers, all privately owned. There are two French-language dailies, Libération and L’Opinion, and two Arabic-language dailies, Al-Sabah and Al-Ikhbariya. The Spanish-language newspaper El País is also available. Rabat also has a number of weekly news magazines, including Jeune Afrique, L’Observateur du Maroc, and Maroc Hebdo.
There are three national radio networks: the government-operated Radio Morocco, which broadcasts in Arabic, French, and Berber; Medi 1 Radio, a private station that broadcasts in French and Arabic; and the Moroccan Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), a state-owned station that broadcasts in English, French, and Arabic. Radio stations based in Rabat include the pan-Arabic Radio Monte Carlo Doualiya and the French-language Radio France Internationale (RFI).
Sports
Rabat is known for its many sports facilities and clubs. The most popular sport in Rabat is soccer. The city has two major soccer clubs: the Raja Club Athletic of Rabat and the Racing Club de Casablanca. Raja Club Athletic of Rabat is one of the most successful soccer clubs in Morocco, having won the Moroccan League 11 times and the Moroccan Cup 7 times. They have also competed in the FIFA Club World Cup twice, in 2000 and 2013. The Racing Club de Casablanca is also a successful club, having won the Moroccan League 5 times and the Moroccan Cup 3 times.
Notable people
Rabat has been home to many notable people throughout history, including:
· Averroes (1126–1198), a philosopher and theologian who was born in Cordoba, Andalusia, but spent much of his life in Rabat.
· Ibn Khaldun (1332–1406), a historian and thinker who was born in Tunis, but spent much of his life in Rabat.
· Ahmed ibn Majid (1421–1502), a navigator and explorer who was born in Ceuta, but spent much of his life in Rabat.
· Leo Africanus (1488–1554), a traveler and author who was born in Granada, but spent much of his life in Rabat.