Marrakesh, Morocco

Few words about MARRAKECH

Marrakesh, also known by the French spelling Marrakech,[5] is a major city of the Kingdom of Morocco. It is the fourth largest city in the country,and is the capital city of the mid-southwestern region of Marrakesh-Safi, located to the north of the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains.

The red walls of the city, and various buildings constructed in red sandstone, have given the city the nickname of the "Red City" or "Ochre City". Marrakesh grew rapidly and established itself as a cultural, religious, and trading centre for the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa; Jemaa el-Fnaa is the busiest square in Africa.

Today Marrakech is one of the busiest cities in Africa and serves as a major economic centre and tourist destination. Tourism is strongly advocated by the reigning Moroccan monarch, Mohammed VI, with the goal of doubling the number of tourists visiting Morocco to 20 million by 2020. 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 selling wares ranging from traditional Berber carpets to modern consumer electronics. Crafts employ a significant percentage of the population, who primarily sell their products to tourists.

Marrakesh is served by Ménara International Airport and the Marrakesh railway station, which connects the city to Casablanca and northern Morocco.