Meknès (mĕknĕs`), city (1994 pop. 443,214), N central Morocco. It has a noted carpet-weaving industry. There are also woolen mills, cement and metal works, oil distilleries, and food-processing plants. Meknès became (c.1672) the capital of Morocco under Sultan Ismail Ismail, 1646?–1727, sultan of Morocco (1672–1727). He organized corps of Sudanese to subdue the revolts that followed his accession. He attacked Christian strongholds in Morocco, regaining Larache and Arzila.
..... Click the link for more information. , who undertook such palatial building operations that the city was called the Versailles of Morocco. Little of his construction has survived. A European town is laid out beside the old one.

Meknès

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 Maulay Isma'il, 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.