It is a small town lying about 220 kilometres south-west ofMarrakech, along the valley of the Souss , which is very fertile. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides: the High Atlas to the north and theAnti-Atlas to the south and the east. To the west lies theAtlantic Ocean. This town has been known since the eleventh century because of its eventful history, marked by its revolts against the dynasties that followed one another in Morocco.