Rabat
Rabat
الرباط | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates: 34°02′N 6°50′W / 34.033°N 6.833°W | |
| Country | Morocco |
| Region | Rabat-Salé-Kénitra |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Fatiha El Moudni |
| Area | |
| 117 km2 (45.17 sq mi) | |
| Highest elevation | 160 m (520 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population (2014) | |
| 515 619 | |
| • Rank | 7th in Morocco |
| • Metro | 2,120,192 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| Website | mairiederabat |
| Official name | Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City: a Shared Heritage |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | ii, iv |
| Designated | 2012 (36th session) |
| Reference no. | 1401 |
| Region | Arab States |
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Rabat (/rəˈbɑːt/, also UK: /rəˈbæt/, US: /rɑːˈbɑːt/; Arabic: الرباط, romanized: ar-Ribāṭ) is the capital city of Morocco and the country's seventh-largest city with an urban population of approximately 580,000 (2014) and a metropolitan population of over 1.2 million. It is also the capital city of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra administrative region. Rabat is located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, opposite Salé, the city's main commuter town.
Rabat was founded in the 12th century by the Almohads. After a period of growth, the city fell into a long period of decline. In the 17th century, Rabat became a haven for Barbary pirates. When the French established a protectorate over Morocco in 1912, Rabat became its administrative center. When Morocco achieved independence in 1955, Rabat became its capital.
Rabat, Temara, and Salé form a conurbation of over 1.8 million people. Rabat is one of four Imperial cities of Morocco, and its medina is listed as a World Heritage Site. It is accessible by train through the ONCF system and by plane through the nearby Rabat–Salé Airport.