Ouarzazate

Rank: Top 1000

Wonder Type: Cultural

Country: Morocco

Best of: Old Town, Fortifications

Ouarzazate is relatively small (~60 000 habitants) and, for Morocco, a quiet town, built mostly along the main street - Avenue Muhammed V. Ouarzazate is situated at an elevation of 1,135 metres. Its name comes from a Berber phrase meaning "without noise" or "without confusion". In the past, Ouarzazate was a crossroad for African traders seeking to reach northern cities in Morocco and Europe. During the French period, Ouarzazate expanded considerably as a garrison town and administrative centre. It is the largest town in the Moroccan Sahara. [More Details]