What is the capital of Morocco?

Rabat stands on the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Bou Regreg river, directly across the water from its twin city of Salé.

Rabat is the capital and seat of government of Morocco, a role it has held since 1912. Morocco itself has an estimated population of 38,430,770 (2025).

Rabat is not the largest city in Morocco. That is Casablanca, which makes Morocco one of the countries whose capital is not their biggest city.

Rabat grew from a fortified Almohad camp, or ribat, built in the 12th century, from which the city takes its name.

Rabat has been the capital of Morocco since 1912, the French protectorate moved Morocco's administrative capital to Rabat from Fez, and independent Morocco kept it there after 1956.

Fez, Marrakesh and Meknes had each served as an imperial capital of Morocco under earlier dynasties before the capital settled at Rabat.

Rabat is Morocco's political and administrative capital, while the larger city of Casablanca, about 90 kilometres to the south, is the country's economic hub.

The city's historic quarters, including the Kasbah of the Udayas and the unfinished Hassan Tower, were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2012 as 'Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City'.

Rabat is one of Morocco's four historic imperial cities, alongside Fez, Marrakesh and Meknes.

It is home to the royal palace, the country's main government institutions and most foreign embassies to Morocco.

Rabat sits on Morocco's Al Boraq high-speed rail line, which links it to Casablanca and Tangier, and is served by Rabat–Salé Airport.

The city has a mild Mediterranean climate, moderated year-round by breezes off the Atlantic Ocean.

The Bou Regreg river separates Rabat from its twin city of Salé, and the two are connected across the estuary by bridges and a cross-river tramway.

City facts sourced from Wikipedia: Rabat.

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