Rabat: The Capital of Morocco
Rabat is the capital city of the African nation, Morocco. It is located at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, on the Atlantic coast. The city, spread over an area of 142.778 sq mi, has a population of 2,727,932 (2008). The density of population is 13,781.3 individuals per sq mi. It is the second most important city in Morocco, economically as well as in terms of area, after Casablanca. Casablanca is located at a distance of 57 miles, while Tangier is located at a distance of 174 miles from Rabat.
History of Rabat
The rich history of Rabat starts from the 3rd century BC, when it was known as Chellah. In 40 AD, Romans took over and started the Roman settlement of Sala Colonia. The Romans abandoned the colony in 250 AD, following which the Almohad rulers turned the city into a full-fledged fortress to launch an attack on Spain. Due to its military significance, the city was named Ribatu l-Fath, which meant "stronghold of victory". The city derived the name Rabat from this title 'Ribatu l-Fath'.
Almohad ruler, Yaqub al-Mansur shifted the capital of his kingdom to Rabat. After his death, Rabat saw a period of decline. In 1627, the barbarian pirates united the cities of Rabat and Sale to form the Republic of Bou Regreg, and started using it as a base port. All the attempts made by the European authorities, to curb the pirates met with failure. In 1829, an Austrian ship was attacked by the pirates, following which the Austrian authorities launched an offensive and destroyed the city of Rabat.
The French invaded Rabat in 1912. The French administrator, General Hubert Lyautey, decided to relocate the capital of the country from Fez back to Rabat. Meanwhile, the United States Air Force established an airbase at the former French airbase in the city. When Morocco attained freedom from foreign rule in 1956, King Mohammed V, the then king of Morocco, decided to continue with his capital at Rabat. The United States Air Force vacated the airbase in the early 1960s to make way for the Royal Moroccan Air Force base.
Administration
Morocco follows a constitutional monarchy form of government. King Mohammed VI is the ruler of the 'Kingdom of Morocco', while the Prime Minister is Abbas El Fassi. The mayor of Rabat, the capital of Morocco, is Omar El Bahraoui. Being the capital city, Rabat is an important administrative center and has various administrative offices as well as the embassies of different countries located here. It is also the home to the administrative offices of many international organizations.
Industry
Rabat has lost its significance of being a port city because the excessive siltation at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, which makes it difficult for ships to enter the port. Today, it has become an important center for the textile and food processing industry. It is famous for items such as carpets, handicrafts etc.
Tourism
Some places worth seeing in Rabat include
The Kasbah of the Udayas and the Al-Mahdiyya mosque, which was built during the reign of the Almohads.
The ancient burial place called Chellah or Sala Colonia located on the outskirts of Rabat.
A minaret of an incomplete mosque, known as the Hassan Tower, built during the regime of Yacoub al-Mansour. The work of the mosque was stopped after the sultan's death.
The Mausoleum containing the tombs of King Mohammed V and his sons; King Hassan II and Prince Abdallah.
Morocco is a country with diverse art, architecture and culture, which is attributed to the fact that various empires ruled this region, and Rabat is just a reflection of this beautiful, diverse country.
By Abhijit Naik
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/rabat-the-capital-of-morocco.html
History of Rabat
The rich history of Rabat starts from the 3rd century BC, when it was known as Chellah. In 40 AD, Romans took over and started the Roman settlement of Sala Colonia. The Romans abandoned the colony in 250 AD, following which the Almohad rulers turned the city into a full-fledged fortress to launch an attack on Spain. Due to its military significance, the city was named Ribatu l-Fath, which meant "stronghold of victory". The city derived the name Rabat from this title 'Ribatu l-Fath'.
Almohad ruler, Yaqub al-Mansur shifted the capital of his kingdom to Rabat. After his death, Rabat saw a period of decline. In 1627, the barbarian pirates united the cities of Rabat and Sale to form the Republic of Bou Regreg, and started using it as a base port. All the attempts made by the European authorities, to curb the pirates met with failure. In 1829, an Austrian ship was attacked by the pirates, following which the Austrian authorities launched an offensive and destroyed the city of Rabat.
The French invaded Rabat in 1912. The French administrator, General Hubert Lyautey, decided to relocate the capital of the country from Fez back to Rabat. Meanwhile, the United States Air Force established an airbase at the former French airbase in the city. When Morocco attained freedom from foreign rule in 1956, King Mohammed V, the then king of Morocco, decided to continue with his capital at Rabat. The United States Air Force vacated the airbase in the early 1960s to make way for the Royal Moroccan Air Force base.
Administration
Morocco follows a constitutional monarchy form of government. King Mohammed VI is the ruler of the 'Kingdom of Morocco', while the Prime Minister is Abbas El Fassi. The mayor of Rabat, the capital of Morocco, is Omar El Bahraoui. Being the capital city, Rabat is an important administrative center and has various administrative offices as well as the embassies of different countries located here. It is also the home to the administrative offices of many international organizations.
Industry
Rabat has lost its significance of being a port city because the excessive siltation at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, which makes it difficult for ships to enter the port. Today, it has become an important center for the textile and food processing industry. It is famous for items such as carpets, handicrafts etc.
Tourism
Some places worth seeing in Rabat include
The Kasbah of the Udayas and the Al-Mahdiyya mosque, which was built during the reign of the Almohads.
The ancient burial place called Chellah or Sala Colonia located on the outskirts of Rabat.
A minaret of an incomplete mosque, known as the Hassan Tower, built during the regime of Yacoub al-Mansour. The work of the mosque was stopped after the sultan's death.
The Mausoleum containing the tombs of King Mohammed V and his sons; King Hassan II and Prince Abdallah.
Morocco is a country with diverse art, architecture and culture, which is attributed to the fact that various empires ruled this region, and Rabat is just a reflection of this beautiful, diverse country.
By Abhijit Naik
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/rabat-the-capital-of-morocco.html