Rabat, MOROCCO - Bureau de la Place & Boulevard El Alou: Rabat is the capital and second largest city of Morocco with an urban population of approximately 620,000 (2004) and a metropolitan population of over 1.2 million. It is also the capital of the Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaer administrative region. The city is located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg. On the facing shore of the river lies Salé, the city's main commuter town. Rabat, Temara, and Salé form a conurbation of over 1.8 million people. Silt-related problems have diminished Rabat's role as a port; however, Rabat and Salé still maintain important textile, food processing and construction industries. In addition, tourism and the presence of all foreign embassies in Morocco serve to make Rabat one of the most important cities in the country. This White Border Era (1915-30) postcard shows Boulevard El Alou, where the French built their neighborhoods at the very beginning of the protectorate. At the time, sites were particularly animated: hotels, restaurants, cafés, theatres, post, jail, fire station, schools, administrations. The Boulevard also hosted parades of all kinds and saw the departure of many races. The card is in good condition, but shows some edge wear. Edition La Gigogne. Casablanca. No. 360.