Marrakesh

Marrakesh مراكش
Prefecture-level city
Clockwise, from top: Menara Gardens, Majorelle Garden, Kutubiyya Mosque, Jemaa el-Fnaa
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Marrakesh Location of Marrakesh within Morocco Show map of Morocco Marrakesh Marrakesh (Africa) Show map of Africa
Coordinates: 31°37′48″N 8°0′32″W / 31.63000°N 8.00889°W / 31.63000; -8.00889
Country	Morocco
Region	Marrakesh-Safi
Prefecture	Marrakesh
Established	1070
Founded by	Abu Bakr ibn Umar
Government
• Mayor	Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri
Elevation	466 m (1,529 ft)
Population  (2014)[1]
• Total	928,850
• Rank	4th in Morocco[a]
Demonym	Marrakshi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
^ The High Commission for Planning defines the city of Marrakesh as comprising the municipality of Méchouar-Kasba and the five arrondissements of Annakhil, Gueliz, Marrakech-Médina, Ménara and Sidi Youssef Ben Ali.[2]
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	Medina of Marrakesh
Criteria	Cultural: i, ii, iv, v
Reference	331
Inscription	1985 (9th Session)
Area	1,107 ha

Marrakesh or Marrakech (/məˈrækɛʃ/ or /ˌmærəˈkɛʃ/;^[3] Arabic: مراكش, romanized: murrākuš, pronounced [murraːkuʃ]) is the fourth-largest city in Morocco.^[2] It is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco and is the capital of the Marrakesh–Safi region. The city lies west of the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.

The city was founded in 1070 by Emir Abu Bakr ibn Umar as the capital of the Almoravid dynasty. The Almoravids established the first major structures in the city and shaped its layout for centuries to come. The red walls of the city, built by Ali ibn Yusuf in 1122–1123, and various buildings constructed in red sandstone afterwards, have given the city the nickname of the "Red City" (المدينة الحمراء Al-madīnat al-ḥamrā') or "Ochre City" (ville ocre). Marrakesh grew rapidly and established itself as a cultural, religious, and trading center for the Maghreb.

After a period of decline, the city was surpassed by Fez. Marrakesh gained its preeminence in the early 16th century serving as the capital of the Saadian dynasty, with sultans Abdallah al-Ghalib and Ahmad al-Mansur embellishing the city with sumptuous palaces such as the El Badi Palace (1578) and restoring many ruined monuments. Beginning in the 17th century, the city became popular among Sufi pilgrims for its seven patron saints who are entombed within the city's quarters. In 1912 the French Protectorate in Morocco was established and T'hami El Glaoui became Pasha of Marrakesh and held this position nearly throughout the protectorate until the role was dissolved upon the independence of Morocco and the reestablishment of the monarchy in 1956.

Marrakesh comprises an old fortified city packed with vendors and their stalls. This medina quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is one of the busiest in Africa, with Jemaa el-Fnaa being the busiest square in the continent, and serves as a major economic center and tourist destination. Real estate and hotel development in Marrakesh have grown dramatically in the 21st century. Marrakesh is particularly popular with the French, and numerous French celebrities own property in the city. Marrakesh has the largest traditional market (souk) in Morocco, with some 18 souks. Crafts employ a significant percentage of the population, who primarily sell their products to tourists.

Marrakesh is served by Ménara International Airport and by Marrakesh railway station, which connects the city to Casablanca and northern Morocco. Marrakesh has several universities and schools, including Cadi Ayyad University. A number of Moroccan football clubs are here, including Najm de Marrakech, KAC Marrakech, Mouloudia de Marrakech and Chez Ali Club de Marrakech. The Marrakesh Street Circuit hosts the World Touring Car Championship, Auto GP and FIA Formula Two Championship races.