Rabat
रबात | |
|---|---|
 Seal | |
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| Coordinates: 34°01′16″N 6°50′29″W / 34.02111°N 6.84139°W[1] | |
| Country |  Morocco |
| Region | Rabat-Salé-Kénitra |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Fatiha El Moudni (RNI) |
| Area | |
| • Capital city | 117 km2 (45.17 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 160 m (520 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Capital city | 515,619 (2024) |
| • Rank | 7th in Morocco |
| • Density | 4,400/km2 (11,400/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 2,120,192 |
| Demonym | Rbati |
| GDP (PPP, constant 2015 values) | |
| • Year | 2024 |
| • Total (Metro) | $22.8 billion[3] |
| • Per capita | $11,500 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| Website | mairiederabat |
| Template:Infobox designation list/entry | |
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Rabat serves as the capital city of Morocco, strategically positioned on the northwestern Atlantic Ocean coast. The city ranks as Morocco's seventh-largest urban centre, with a recorded population of 5,15,619 as of 2024, and encompasses the second-largest metropolitan area after Casablanca, housing approximately 21 lakh residents as of 2025. Rabat additionally functions as the administrative capital of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region. The city is situated along the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Bou Regreg river, directly opposite Salé, which serves as its principal commuter town.
The historical origins of Rabat trace back to the 12th century, when it was founded by the Almohads. Following an initial period of growth, the city experienced a subsequent decline. During the 17th century, Rabat evolved into a haven for the Barbary corsairs. When France established its protectorate over Morocco in 1912, Rabat was designated as the administrative centre. Upon Morocco's achievement of independence in 1956, Rabat formally assumed the role of national capital.
Rabat holds significance as one of Morocco's four imperial cities, with its historic medina recognised as a World Heritage Site. The city maintains excellent transportation connectivity, accessible via the ONCF railway system and the nearby Rabat–Salé Airport.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The name Rabat comes from the Arabic word الرباط (a-Ribāṭ) meaning the ribat, an Islamic base or fortification. This name is short for رباط الفتح (Ribāṭu al-Fatḥ) meaning the ribat of conquest or stronghold of victory—a title given by the Almohads when they established the city as a naval base in 1170.[4][5]
References and Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Hong Kong Observatory". Hong Kong Observatory. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
- ↑ "Population légale d'après les résultats du RGPH 2014 sur le Bulletin officiel N° 6354". Haut-Commissariat au Plan (in العربية). Archived from the original (pdf) on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
- ↑ "TelluBase—Morocco Fact Sheet (Tellusant Public Service Series)" (PDF). Tellusant. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 November 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ↑ تاريخ رباط الفتح – عبد الله السويسي (in العربية).
- ↑ "دعوة الحق – رباط الفتح". habous.gov.ma. Archived from the original on 22 February 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2021.