# Meknes

> city in Morocco

**Wikidata**: [Q178663](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q178663)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meknes)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/meknes

## Summary

Meknes is a major city and urban commune located in northern Morocco, situated within the Meknès Prefecture. It is historically significant as one of the Imperial cities of Morocco and serves as a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities. The city covers an area of 370 square kilometers and, as of the 2024 census, records a population of 551,503 inhabitants.

## Key Facts

*   **Classification:** Meknes is classified as a city, a big city, and an urban commune of Morocco. It is also recognized as part of the "Imperial cities of Morocco."
*   **Location:** The city is located in the Meknès Prefecture. Its geographic coordinates are 33.8833° N latitude and -5.55° W longitude.
*   **Elevation:** The city sits at an elevation of 535 meters above sea level.
*   **Area:** The total area of Meknes is 370 square kilometers.
*   **Population:**
    *   **1982:** 319,783 (Census)
    *   **1994:** 393,791 (Census)
    *   **2004:** 469,169 (Census)
    *   **2014:** 520,428 (Census)
    *   **2023:** 601,000 (Estimation)
    *   **2024:** 551,503 (Census)
*   **Households:**
    *   **1994:** 76,615
    *   **2004:** 100,470
    *   **2014:** 126,319
    *   **2024:** 154,528
*   **Leadership:** Abdellah Bouanou served as the head of government from 2015 to 2021.
*   **Heritage Status:** The city is a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities.
*   **Infrastructure:** The city owns the Stade d'Honneur.
*   **Postal Code:** 50000.
*   **UN/LOCODE:** MAMEK.

## FAQs

**What is the current population of Meknes?**
According to the 2024 census, the legal population of Meknes is 551,503. Earlier estimates from July 2023 placed the population slightly higher at approximately 601,000.

**Where is Meknes located administratively?**
Meknes is located in the Meknès Prefecture in Morocco. Historically, it served as the capital of the Fès-Meknès region until 2015.

**Is Meknes considered a historical city?**
Yes, Meknes is one of the Imperial cities of Morocco and is a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities. It has been described by historical sources such as the *Jewish Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron* and the *Great Soviet Encyclopedia*.

**What are the twin cities of Meknes?**
Meknes maintains twinning agreements with several international cities, including Nîmes (France, since 2005), Bologna (Italy, since 2020), Stralsund (Germany, since 2019), and Orléans (France, since 2020).

## Why It Matters

Meknes holds substantial historical and cultural weight as one of Morocco's four Imperial cities, often referred to by aliases such as "The Ismaili Capital" (العاصمة الإسماعيلية). Its inclusion in the Organization of World Heritage Cities underscores its global significance in terms of architectural and urban preservation. The city's role as a regional hub is evidenced by its infrastructure, such as the Stade d'Honneur, and its administrative history as a former capital of the Fès-Meknès region. With a population that has grown from roughly 320,000 in 1982 to over 550,000 in 2024, Meknes represents a significant demographic and economic center in northern Morocco. Its extensive network of international twinning agreements—ranging from East Jerusalem to various European cities—highlights its active engagement in global municipal diplomacy.

## Notable For

*   **Imperial Status:** Designated as one of the Imperial cities of Morocco.
*   **Global Heritage:** Membership in the Organization of World Heritage Cities.
*   **Demographics:** A substantial increase in households, more than doubling from 76,615 in 1994 to 154,528 in 2024.
*   **International Relations:** Extensive twinning network including cities like Nîmes, Santarém, and East Jerusalem.
*   **Toponymy:** Known by diverse native and historical names including "Meknès," "Mequínez," and "مكناسة الزيتون" (Meknassa of the Olives).
*   **Sports Infrastructure:** Ownership of the Stade d'Honneur.

## Body

### Geography and Administrative Status
Meknes is situated in northern Morocco within the Meknès Prefecture. Geographically, it is positioned at coordinates 33.8833° N, -5.55° W. The city spans a total area of 370 square kilometers and rests at an elevation of 535 meters above sea level. Administratively, Meknes functions as an urban commune and is recognized as a "big city." It previously held the status of capital for the Fès-Meknès region until administrative changes in 2015. The Moroccan geographic code for the city (as of 2015) is 03.061.01.01, and it utilizes the postal code 50000.

### Demographics and Housing
The population of Meknes has demonstrated steady growth over four decades of census recording. In 1982, the population was 319,783. By the 1994 census, this number had risen to 393,791, accompanied by 76,615 households. The 2004 census recorded a population of 469,169 with 100,470 households. By 2014, the population reached 520,428, with the number of households increasing to 126,319. A 2023 estimation placed the population at 601,000, while the 2024 census recorded a population of 551,503 and a total of 154,528 households.

### Governance and Leadership
The city's local governance is headed by a designated official. Abdellah Bouanou served as the head of government of Meknes from 2015 until 2021. The city maintains an official website, `communemeknes.ma`, which provides content in both Arabic and French.

### International Relations and Twinning
Meknes is actively engaged in municipal cooperation and twinning programs with cities across Europe and the Middle East.
*   **Santarém, Portugal:** Twinning established on October 31, 1989.
*   **East Jerusalem:** Twinning established on January 29, 1990.
*   **Nîmes, France:** Twinning established in 2005.
*   **Tulkarm, Palestine:** Twinning established on April 19, 2017.
*   **Cenon, France:** Twinning established on April 19, 2017.
*   **Bourg-en-Bresse, France:** Twinning established on October 4, 2018.
*   **Stralsund, Germany:** Twinning established on October 7, 2019.
*   **Bologna, Italy:** Twinning established in 2020.
*   **Orléans, France:** Twinning established in October 2020.

### Cultural Identity and Names
Meknes possesses a rich nomenclature reflecting its history and linguistic diversity.
*   **Official Names:** The city is officially known as "Meknès" and "مكناس".
*   **Native Labels:** In Tifinagh script, it is written as "ⵎⴽⵏⴰⵙ".
*   **Aliases:** Historical and colloquial aliases include "Mequínez," "古都メクネス" (Ancient Capital Meknes), "العاصمة الإسماعيلية" (The Ismaili Capital), "الحاضرة الإسماعيلية" (The Ismaili Metropolis), and "مكناسة الزيتون" (Meknassa of the Olives).
*   **Encyclopedic Recognition:** The city is documented in the *Jewish Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron*, the *Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1926–1947)*, and the *Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition* (under "Mequinez").

### Identifiers and Digital Presence
Meknes is cataloged under numerous international identifiers and database IDs.
*   **UN/LOCODE:** MAMEK
*   **VIAF ID:** 129002623
*   **GeoNames ID:** 2542715
*   **MusicBrainz Area ID:** dc5b9d93-8dff-40b5-9741-cc4936cce339
*   **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n80067218
*   **Wikidata ID:** Associated with sitelink counts and specific Wikidata properties.
*   **Other IDs:** Includes identifiers from BBC Things, Quora, Treccani, De Agostini, and the Grove Art Online database.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.meknes.ma/langue-ar/actualites/detailsact.aspx?idact=2416)
2. [Source](https://www.nimes.fr/mairie/jumelages/ville-jumelle-meknes.html?id_site=16)
3. [Source](https://meknes.ma/langue-ar/actualites/detailsact.aspx?idact=1184)
4. [Source](https://www.collectivites-territoriales.gov.ma/sites/default/files/pnct/2020-12/cl%20en%20chiffres.%202005.pdf)
5. [Source](https://www.anmp.pt/anmp/pro/mun1/gem101l0.php?cod_ent=M2000)
6. [Source](https://www.meknes.ma/langue-ar/actualites/detailsact.aspx?idact=2347)
7. [Source](https://www.meknes.ma/langue-ar/actualites/detailsact.aspx?idact=2386)
8. [Source](https://www.meknes.ma/langue-ar/actualites/detailsact.aspx?idact=1276)
9. [Source](https://www.meknes.ma/langue-ar/actualites/detailsact.aspx?idact=1346)
10. [Source](https://www.yabiladi.com/articles/details/102382/maroc-italie-meknes-bologne-scellent-convention.html)
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. [Source](https://www.ovpm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/liste-villes-en-regle-pour-page-web12-03-2024.pdf)
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. MusicBrainz
15. [Source](https://www.citypopulation.de/en/morocco/cities/?cityid=1355)
16. [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)
17. 2014 Moroccan census
18. [Source](http://www.hcp.ma/file/103036/)
19. [Source](http://rgph2014.hcp.ma/file/166326/)
20. GeoNames
21. BBC Things
22. [Source](https://it-ch.topographic-map.com/map-dz6qkl/Meknes/?zoom=19&center=33.89743%2C-5.54872&popup=33.89768%2C-5.54874)
23. Quora
24. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
25. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/miknas)
26. [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)