Salé
Salé
سلا | |
|---|---|
Salé Location within Morocco Salé Salé (Africa) | |
| Coordinates: 34°02′43″N 6°49′04″W / 34.04528°N 6.81778°W | |
| Country | Morocco |
| Region | Rabat-Salé-Kénitra |
| Established | 11th century |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Jamae Mouatassime |
| Elevation | 0 to 115 m (0 to 377 ft) |
| Population (2024) | |
• Total | 1,089,554 |
| • Rank | 5th in Morocco |
| Demonym | Slawi |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
Salé (Arabic: سلا, romanized: salā, [salaː]) is a city in northwestern Morocco, on the right bank of the Bou Regreg river, opposite the national capital Rabat, for which it serves as a commuter town. Along with some smaller nearby towns, Rabat and Salé together form a single metropolitan area.
Founded in the 11th century, Salé became a haven for pirates in the 17th century as an independent republic before being incorporated into Alawi Morocco. It recorded a population of 1,089,554 in the 2024 Moroccan census. The city still preserves its historic medina (old town), with many major monuments dating from the Marinid period (13th–15th centuries). Salé is connected to Rabat by a tramway and also contains the Rabat–Salé Airport, the main international airport serving both cities.