Meknes

Meknes () is a city in northern Morocco, located from the capital Rabat and from Fes. It is served by the A2 expressway between those two cities and by the corresponding railway. Meknes was the capital of Morocco under the reign of Moulay Ismail (1672–1727), before it was relocated to Marrakech. The population is 950,322 (2006 estimate). It is the capital of the Meknes-Tafilalet region. Meknes is named after a Berber tribe which was known as Miknasa (native name: Imknasn) in the medieval Arabic sources.

The land upon which the city is founded and much of its surrounding territory came under the domination of the Roman Empire in AD 117. (see History of Morocco). The original community from which Meknes can be traced was an 8th century Kasbah, or fortress. A Berber tribe called the Miknasa settled there in the 10th century, and a town consequently grew around the fortress. Meknes saw its golden age as the imperial capital of Moulay Ismail following his accession to the Sultanate of Morocco.

Geography

Neighboring cities to the south: Azrou, connecting via the N13 road, is a cedar region with the noted " College d'Azrou" where many members of the post-independence elite derived); and Ifrane ( Al Akhawayn University). Volubilis (Oualili) is about half an hour to the north, a ruined Roman town.

Among the most impressive elements of the imperial city was the grand gate named after the architect, El-Mansour, a Christian renegade who converted to Islam. It was completed 5 years after Moulay Ismail's death, in 1732.

The design of the gate plays with Almohad patterns. It has zellij mosaics of excellent quality. The marble columns were taken from the Roman ruins of Volubilis. The story tells that when completed, Moulay Ismail inspected the gate, asking El-Mansur if he could do better. El-Mansur felt complied to answer yes, making the sultan so furious he had him executed. Still, according to historical records, the gate was finished after Moulay Ismail's death. The gate itself is now used as an arts and crafts gallery; entry is by a side gate.

Present Condition

According to the ICOMOS Heritage at Risk report of 2000, the historic city of Meknes contains insufficient drainage systems, and as a result suffers from inundation and leakage in certain areas.ICOMOS Heritage at Risk 2000

Quarters of Meknes

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Communes of Meknes

Meknès Al Ismaïlia

• Aïn Jemâa
• Aïn Karma
• Aïn Orma
• Aït Ouallal
• Al Ismaïlia
• Al Machouar Stinia
• Dar Oum Soltane
• Maknassat Azzaytoun
• Oued Rommane
• Toulal

Meknès El Menzeh

• Boufakrane
• Charqaoua
• Dkhissa
• Hamrya
• Karmet Ben Salem
• M'haya
• Majjate
• Mergassiyine
• Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
• N'zalat Bni Amar
• Oualili (Volubilis)
• Oued Jdida
• Ouislane
• Sidi Abdellah el Khayat
• Sidi Slimane Moul Al Kifane

Climate

Located near the Atlas Mountains, Meknes has a seasonal climate, shifting from cool in winter to hot days in the summer months of July-September. The nights are always cool (or colder in winter), with daytime temperatures generally rising about +10~14 C° (+18~26 F°) every day. The winter highs typically reach only 15.5°C (60°F) in December-January (see weather-table below).

Industry

There are 171 industrial units in Meknes, employing 10,358 people. The chief industries are food processing, textile manufacturing, chemical and para-chemical industry, and metallic and mechanical industry.

City map

External links

• Meknes photo gallery

References

• FallingRain Map - elevation = 547 m (Red dots are railways)

ar:مكناس

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Categories: Buildings | Buildings in Morocco | Buildings in , Morocco | UNESCO World Heritage Sites | UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Arab States | UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Morocco