# Marrakesh

> city in Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco

**Wikidata**: [Q101625](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q101625)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marrakesh)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/marrakech

## Summary

Marrakesh is a place in Morocco located in Marrakesh Prefecture. It was established in 1065.

## Summary
Marrakesh is a major city and imperial capital located in the Marrakesh-Safi region of Morocco. Founded in 1065 by Abu Bakr ibn Umar, it serves as the capital of the Marrakesh-Safi region and has a recorded population of 1,002,697 as of 2024. The city is a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities and is twinned with numerous global metropolises including New York City, Paris, and Mecca.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: City in Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco; located in the Marrakesh Prefecture since 2000.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 31.62947, Longitude -7.98108.
- **Area**: 230 square kilometres.
- **Elevation**: 465 metres above sea level (preferred value).
- **Population**: 1,002,697 (2024 census, most recent value); 966,987 (2020 estimate); 928,850 (2014 census); 823,124 (2004 estimate).
- **Households**: 268,925 (2024 census).
- **Inception**: Founded in 1065 by Abu Bakr ibn Umar.
- **Timezone**: Western European Time (UTC±00:00).
- **Postal Code**: 40000.
- **UN/LOCODE**: MARAK.
- **ISO 3166-2 Code**: MA-MAR.
- **Demonym**: Marrakéchois (masculine singular), Marrakéchoise (feminine singular), Amrrakci (masculine singular), Tamrrakcit (feminine singular).
- **Government**: Mayor Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri (Authenticity and Modernity Party, started 2021).
- **Website**: http://www.ville-marrakech.ma.

## FAQs
**What is the historical significance of Marrakesh?**
Marrakesh was founded in 1065 and historically served as the capital for the Almoravid dynasty (ending 1147) and the Almohad Caliphate (ending 1215). It is classified as one of the Imperial cities of Morocco and has been subject to various rulers including the Marinid dynasty and French protectorates.

**What are the demographic details of the city?**
As of the 2024 census, the city has a population of 1,002,697 residents and contains 268,925 households. Residents are referred to as Marrakéchois (masculine) or Marrakéchoise (feminine) in French, or Amrrakci/Tamrrakcit in the local context.

**Which cities are twinned with Marrakesh?**
The city maintains sister-city relationships with Sousse, Granada (since 1994), Marseille, Clermont-Ferrand, Timbuktu, Tashkent, Ajaccio, Tours, New York City, Mecca, Paris, Madrid, Odesa (since 2019), Sidi Bennour, and Granby (since 1981).

**What administrative divisions is Marrakesh part of?**
Marrakesh is the capital of the Marrakesh-Safi region (since 2015) and is located within the Marrakesh Prefecture. It holds the Moroccan geographic code 07.351.01.0.

## Why It Matters
Marrakesh holds profound historical and cultural significance as a former imperial capital of Morocco. Founded in the 11th century, it served as the political center for the Almoravid and Almohad dynasties, shaping the historical trajectory of the region. Its inclusion in the Organization of World Heritage Cities underscores its global cultural value. The city remains a vital administrative hub, serving as the capital of the Marrakesh-Safi region, and maintains extensive international diplomatic ties through its network of over a dozen sister cities across four continents.

## Notable For
- Being one of the Imperial cities of Morocco.
- Serving as the historical capital of the Almoravid dynasty and Almohad Caliphate.
- Membership in the Organization of World Heritage Cities.
- Owning significant infrastructure including the Marrakesh Stadium and Stade El Harti.
- Being featured as a city-state in the video game *Civilization V*.
- Hosting a population that exceeded one million residents in the 2024 census.

## Body

### Governance and Administration
Marrakesh functions as a distinct administrative entity within Morocco. Since 2015, it has served as the capital of the Marrakesh-Safi region. The city is located within the Marrakesh Prefecture, a relationship established in 2000. The local government is headed by Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri of the Authenticity and Modernity Party, who began her current term in 2021; she previously served as mayor from 2009 to 2015. Prior administrations include Mohamed Larbi Belcaid (Justice and Development Party, 2015–2021), Omar Jazouli (Constitutional Union, 2003–2009), and Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri's earlier term (2009–2015). The city owns and operates the Marrakesh Stadium and Stade El Harti.

### Historical Context and Founding
The city was founded in 1065 by Abu Bakr ibn Umar. Its strategic importance is highlighted by its status as a capital city for two major historical empires: the Almoravid dynasty (until 1147) and the Almohad Caliphate (until 1215). Throughout its history, the city has been under the jurisdiction of various sovereign states and colonial powers, including the Marinid dynasty (1215–1465), the French Second Republic (1848–1852), the Second French Empire (1852–1870), the French Third Republic (1871–1940), Vichy France (1940–1944), the Provisional Government of the French Republic (1944–1946), and the French Fourth Republic (1946–1956), before becoming part of modern Morocco on March 2, 1956. Significant historical events include multiple Sieges of Marrakesh.

### Geography and Demographics
Marrakesh covers a total area of 230 square kilometres. The city is situated at an elevation of 465 metres above sea level, with an alternate recorded elevation of 468 metres. Geographic coordinates are 31.62947° N, 7.98108° W. The population has grown steadily over the last two decades: from 823,124 in 2004 to 928,850 in 2014 (census), and an estimate of 966,987 in 2020. The most recent census (2024) records a population of 1,002,697 and a total of 268,925 households.

### International Relations
Marrakesh maintains a robust network of international partnerships. It is a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities. The city is twinned with:
- Granby, Canada (since November 1981)
- Granada, Spain (since 1994)
- Odesa, Ukraine (since May 7, 2019)
- Sousse, Tunisia
- Marseille, France
- Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Timbuktu, Mali
- Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Ajaccio, France
- Tours, France
- New York City, United States
- Mecca, Saudi Arabia
- Paris, France
- Madrid, Spain
- Sidi Bennour, Morocco

### Cultural and Media Presence
The city is recognized in various digital and media contexts. It appears as a city-state in the video game *Civilization V*. Online, it is the subject of the subreddit "r/marrakech" and has a Quora topic dedicated to "Marrakesh." The city is documented in numerous encyclopedias and authority files, including Encyclopædia Britannica (ID: place/Marrakech), Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, Great Soviet Encyclopedia, and Meyer’s Universum. It maintains identifiers across major knowledge graphs, including GeoNames ID 2542997, VIAF ID 138361991, and Freebase ID /m/054rw.

### Names and Linguistics
The city is known by multiple native labels: "مراكش" (Arabic), "ⵎⵕⵕⴰⴽⵛ" (Tifinagh), and "Mrrakc." Official and unofficial aliases include Marrakech, Marraquech, Marraquesh, Marakech, Marakesch, and various translations such as "馬拉喀什" (Chinese), "マラケシ旧市街" (Japanese), "Маракеш" (Russian), and "المدينة الحمراء" (The Red City). The official name is listed as "مراكش."

## References

1. [Source](https://www.granada.org/v2010.nsf/xxtod/ciudadeshermanas)
2. [Source](https://www.granada.org/inet/osm.nsf/mapas.htm?open&ruta=BDUKCMN)
3. [Source](https://omr.gov.ua/ua/international/goroda-partneri/marrakesh-korolevstvo-marokko/)
4. [Source](https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/2870342)
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. BnF authorities
7. [Source](https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:code:3166:MA)
8. [Source](https://www.ovpm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/liste-villes-en-regle-pour-page-web12-03-2024.pdf)
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. Czech National Authority Database
11. 2014 Moroccan census
12. [Source](https://www.hcp.ma/region-marrakech/attachment/1361217/)
13. [2024 Moroccan census](https://www.hcp.ma/Population-legale-du-Royaume-du-Maroc-repartie-par-regions-provinces-et-prefectures-et-communes-selon-les-resultats-du_a3974.html)
14. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
15. GeoNames
16. [Source](http://gpso.de/maps/)
17. [Source](https://it-ch.topographic-map.com/map-46jxgp/Marrakech/?zoom=19&center=31.6283%2C-7.99821&popup=31.62848%2C-7.99809)
18. Quora
19. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
20. [Source](https://www.hcp.ma/Population-legale-du-Royaume-du-Maroc-repartie-par-regions-provinces-et-prefectures-et-communes-selon-les-resultats-du_a3974.html)