Taourirt, Morocco

Capital City

With a population of just over 100,000, Taourirt is a modest Moroccan town that serves as an important transportation hub, but offers little else to attract expats. The main east-west railway runs through here, and buses from nearby cities also stop in Taourirt. However, beyond its role as a transit point, the town is known primarily for its ancient Kasbah fortress. Bureaucracy appears to be a persistent headache, as evidenced by the new rail line to Nador taking until 2009 to open. Overall, Taourirt seems best suited for Moroccans needing a functional, no-frills place to live or pass through, rather than foreign residents seeking an engaging cultural experience.