Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaer

Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaer ( _ar. الرباط سلا زمور زعير) is one of the sixteen regions of Morocco. It is situated in north-western Morocco. It covers an area of 9,580 km² and has a population of 2,366,494 (2004 census). The capital is Rabat. [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=tk5TP7bsXnkC&dq=Rabat+Zemmour "African Cities - Driving the NEPAD Initiative", UN-HABITAT ISBN 9211319218] ]

The region is made up into the following provinces and prefectures:

* Prefecture of Rabat
* Prefecture of Salé
* Prefecture of Skhirat-Témara
* Province of Khemisset

History

Most of the population of this region has historically been concentrated in coastal areas. The first recorded history is centered at Chellah, an early Phoenician settlement at the edge of Rabat along the southern bank of the Oued Bou Regreg. Later the Romans took control and enlarged Chellah, whose ruins are today a prominent archaeological point of interest. Chellah was a significant ancient port city town with remains including the Decumanus Maximus, a forum, a monumental fountain, a triumphal arch, and other ruins. [C. Michael Hogan, "Chellah", The Megalithic Portal, ed. A. Burnham, 2007 [http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=17910] ]

In the seventeenth century the first regional governmental entity was formed, unifying Rabat and Salé. ["The Middle East and North Africa: Essays in Honor of J.C. Hurewitz", J. C. Hurewitz, Reeva S. Simon, 1990, Columbia University Press, 545 pagesISBN 0231071485] This regime was the headquarters of Barbary pirates and held sway over a turbulent time.

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