Marrakesh (in Amazigh: Amourakouch, “God’s land”), also called the Red City and the Palm Capital, is the third largest city in the Kingdom of Morocco in terms of population. It is the capital of the Marrakesh-Safi region. Marrakesh is located 580 km (360 mi) southeast of Tangier, 327 km (203 mi) southeast of the Moroccan capital Rabat, 239 km (149 mi) southeast of Casablanca, and 246 km (153 mi) northeast of Agadir.

The city was founded in 1062, by Abu Bakr ibn Omar al-Lamtouni, the leader and cousin of the Almoravid king, Yusuf ibn Tashfin, as the capital of the Almoravid Empire. The city was one of the four imperial cities of Morocco. In the 12th century, the Almoravids built many Islamic schools (Quranic schools) and mosques in Marrakesh that bore an Andalusian character. The red walls of the city, built by Ali bin Yusuf bin Tashfin in 1122-1123, and various buildings constructed of red sandstone during this period, gave the city the nickname "Red City". Marrakesh grew rapidly, establishing itself as a cultural, religious and commercial center for the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa. Jemaa El Fna Square is the busiest square in Africa.