31°17′09″N4°16′30″W / 31.285948°N 4.275093°W /31.285948; -4.275093
Rissani الريصاني | |
|---|---|
    Western city gate of Rissani | |
  Rissani Location in Morocco | |
| Coordinates:31°17′9″N4°16′30″W / 31.28583°N 4.27500°W /31.28583; -4.27500 | |
| Country |  Morocco |
| Region | Drâa-Tafilalet |
| Province | Errachidia |
| Elevation | 2,490 ft (760 m) |
| Population (2004) | |
• Total | 20,469 |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (WEST) |
Rissani (Arabic:الريصاني) is a town inErrachidia Province in easternMorocco, located nearErfoud. It is the closest town of significant size to theErg Chebbi, the largest sanddesert in Morocco. Its population in 2004 was 20,469.
Themausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif, third great-grandfather ofMoulay Cherif, founder of theAlaouite Dynasty ofMorocco, is located on the southern edge of town.
Rissani is the ancient capital ofTafilalet. Its location as a crossroads between north and south gave the city a certain importance in previous times.
A former major caravan center,[1] Rissani remains a major commercial center in the region, with a largesouk, particularly lively on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. It is noted for its leather and goat skin trading.
In the 14th century, when a nearby city ofSijilmassa was destroyed, Rissani became a main city of trans-Saharan trade. It is assumed thatJews settled in Rissani to participate in the caravan trade, similar to other cities in Morocco. There is a Jewish cemetery in Rissani, which was renovated as a part ofKing Mohammed VI's project to restore Jewish cemeteries across Morocco. The famous Moroccan Jewish spiritual figure, theBaba Sali, was born in Rissani. David Abouhatzeira, brother of the Babi Sali and the chief rabbi ofNahariyah was born in Rissani and was buried in its Jewish cemetery.[2]
Capital:Errachidia | ||
| Provinces |  | |
| Cities | ||
ThisDrâa-Tafilalet location article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |