828 



MAGHREB, OR BARBARY. 



despatched an army of 40,000 men, who landed, and effected an easy capture of the city of 

 Algiers, in the autumn of that year. The province may now be considered as a colony of 

 France. 



7. Empire of jMarocco or JMorocco. This State, bordering upon the Atlantic Ocean and 

 the Mediterranean Sea, is highly favored by nature in its mild climate, fertile soil, and advan- 

 tageous position upon 2 seas ; but bad government and civil discord have deprived it of the 

 benefit of its natural advantages. It has an area of 175,000 square miles, with 6,000,000 in- 

 habitants. It comprises the kingdoms of Morocco, Fez, Suz, Tafilet, and some other prov- 

 inces ; but many of the tribes, within these limits, are entirely independent, and often at war 

 with the government of Morocco, and with each other. 



JMorocco or JMarocco, the capital, is a large town, situated in a fertile and elevated plain, in 

 the rear of which rise the highest summits of Mount Atlas. It is much reduced, but still 

 contains many sumptuous edifices, which attest its former splendor. The imperial palace, con- 

 sisting of numerous pavilions, courts, and gardens, covers a space 4,500 feet long, by 1,800 

 broad ; one of the mosques is distinguished for its lofty minaret, 220 feet high, and several 

 others are remarkable for their size ; the vast building, called Bel-Abbas, comprises, in its 

 precincts, a sanctuary, a mosque, a mausoleum, and a hospital, which accommodates 1,500 

 patients. The great morocco manufactory, the granaries, &c., are also worthy of notice. 

 Population, 70,000. 



Fez, the capital of the province of that name, is the largest city in the empire. It stands 

 on the slopes of several hills, and is watered by a river. The streets are narrow ; the houses 

 are of brick or stone, and often adorned outwardly with mosaic work. The roofs are flat, and 

 many have high towers, decorated with carving and gilding. There are 200 mosques in the 

 city, and 2 colleges. The place was once a famous seat of learning, and the metropolis of the 

 Mahometan faith in the West. Almost all the houses have fountains, which are supphed with 

 water by canals from the river. The markets are excessively crowded, and the Arabs of the 

 surrounding regions resort hither for all their supplies. Population, 80,000. 



JMequinez has frequently been the residence of the Sultans, who have here a handsome pal- 

 ace. The city is surrounded by a triple line of walls, 15 feet high, and resembles the other 

 Moorish towns. The inhabitants are esteemed more polished and hospitable than those of the 

 other cities. On one side, stands a quarter inhabited by negroes. The surrounding country- 

 is fertile, and well cultivated. Population, 60,000. 



JMogador is a seaport on the Atlantic. It is built in a flat, sandy desert. The houses are 

 of white stone, and make a fine appearance from the sea. The harbor is shallow, and is de- 

 fended by 2 batteries. There is considerable commerce carried on with the north of Europe, 

 and America. Population, 10,000. Sallee, a seaport on the Atlantic, has been famous for 

 its piracies. It stands at the mouth of a river, and is defended by a wall and battery. There 

 are many commercial houses established here by Europeans, but the trade is dechning, in con- 

 sequence of the filling up of the harbor. Population, 20,000. Tangier is a seaport, just 

 within the Straits of Gibraltar. It is the residence of many foreign consuls, but it has little 

 trade. Population, 10,000. 



The commerce of Morocco is chiefly transacted at Mogador, from which place are exported 

 goat-skins, oil, almonds, gums, wax, wool, ostrich feathers, pomegranates, and dates. The 

 land-trade, with the Arab and negro tribes, is carried on by caravans. The manufactures are 

 carpets, woolen and cotton cloths, silk, morocco, leather, paper, and saltpetre. 



8. BihduJgerid. Biledulgerid, or the Land of Dates, is a district lying between Tunis and 

 Algiers on the north, and the Great Desert on the south. It is mountainous, sandy, and bar- 

 ren, producing little vegetation. Some parts, however, are covered with thick groves of the 

 date palm. The climate is hot and unhealthy. The inhabitants are a mixture of the native 

 Africans and wild Arabs ; the former living in small villages, and the latter in tents, roaming 

 from place to place, in quest of plunder. 



9. Inhabitants. These are principally of 3 great races. 1st. The Moors are of a mixea 

 origin, being descended from the ancient inhabitants, Arabs, Romans, &c. Their complexions 

 are lighter than those of the Arabs, and they are a well-formed race. 2d. The Arabs are 

 much like those of Asia, and are descended from the original conquerors, and from emigrants 

 from Sahara. They are pastoral, and live in tents. 3d. The Berbers are a race d ffering 

 from the two former in language and customs, and, therefore, probably of a different origin 

 They are warlike and free. Of these, the chief tribes are the Shilloos, in the mountains of 



