Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Almoravids took a while to warm up to their new capital of Marrakesh - too many
mountains and rival Berbers around, and too few palm trees. To make themselves more at
home, the Almoravids built a mud wall around the city, 8m high and 19km long, and set
up the ingenious
khettara
underground irrigation system that still supports the
palmeraie
-
a vast palm grove outside Marrakesh now dotted with luxury villas. The Jewish and An-
dalucian communities in Fez thrived under Ben Tachfine, a soft-spoken diplomat and, like
his wife, a brilliant military strategist. His Spanish Muslim allies urged him to intercede
against Christian and Muslim princes in Spain, complaining bitterly of extortion, attacks
and debauchery. At the age of almost 80, Ben Tachfine launched successful campaigns se-
curing Almoravid control of Andalusia right up to the Barcelona city limits.
In Morocco's second parliamentary elections in 2007, 34 women were elected, representing
10.4% of all seats - that's just behind the US at 12.5% female representation after 110 elec-
tions.
