n.
City (pop., 1994: 459,958), north-central Morocco.
It was one of Morocco's four imperial cities, founded in the 10th century by a Berber tribe. Originally a group of villages among olive groves, it became the Moroccan capital in 1673 under Maul 0101; y Ism 0101; 02BE; 012B; l, who built palaces and mosques that earned for Meknès the name "Versailles of Morocco." After his death it declined, and in 1911 it was occupied by the French. It is now a commercial centre for agricultural products, fine embroidery, and carpets.