These 10 African capital cities have interesting stories behind their names

Rabat

The construction of the citadel that would give Rabat its preeminent status began in 1150 by the Almohad Caliphate’s Abdel Mu’min. Rabat is derived from the Arabic ribat, meaning “stronghold”.

Rabat has always been special to Morocco, save for a short time when the country’s city of administration was taken to Fes. But this was reversed in 1912 and Rabat has been Morocco’s capital city since.

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