Rabat, Morocco

Rabat, Morocco

Rabat (Arabic الرباط, transliterated ar-Rabāṭ or ar-Ribāṭ or er-Rbāṭ, literally "Fortified Place"; Berber ⵕⵕⴱⴰⵟ, transliterated Ṛṛbaṭ; French Ville de Rabat; Spanish Ciudad de Rabat), is the capital and third largest city of the Kingdom of Morocco with a population of approximately 1 million (2012). It is also the capital of the Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaer 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, the city's main commuter town. Together with Temara the cities account for a combined metropolitan population of 1.8 million. Silting problems have diminished the Rabat's role as a port; however, Rabat and Salé still maintain important textile, food processing and construction industries. In addition, tourism and the presence of all foreign embassies in Morocco serve to make Rabat one of the most important cities in the country.

Rabat is accessible by train through the ONCF system and by plane through the nearby Rabat-Salé Airport.

The Moroccan capital was recently awarded the second place in "Top Travel Destinations of 2013" by CNN.