Salé is the twin city to Rabat, captital of Morocco. It was once a self contained, self ruled Republic with international scope, situated on the mouth of the BouRegreg river on the Atlantic coast. Salé pirates used to roam the seas as far as the American shores, bringing back loot and slaves, mostly women. Legend has it that Robinson Crusoe sailed off from the Salé river mouth. For the Maltese city on Gozo Island which can also be called Rabat, see Victoria, Malta. ... Robinson Crusoe is a novel by Daniel Defoe, first published in 1719 and sometimes regarded as the first novel in English. ...

Salé had a rich and determinig part of the Moroccan history. the first demonstartions for independance from the French sparked off in Salé. A good number government officals, decision makers and royal advisors were form Salé. Salé people, the Slawis, have always had a 'tribal' sense of belonging, a sens of pride which developped into a feeling of superiority towards the 'berranis' the 'foreigners' which are the non Slawis.

Modern Salé is however a highly polluted, badly planned, rapidely expanding town. Rural exodus has made it the second largest city in Morocco after Casablanca - a little known fact - with no corresponding economical equivalence. The town is now large size dormitory town with no real community life. Most of its influencial and wealthy inhabitants have left to the other side of the river, to Rabat. Historical heritage is in total decrepit, pollution is prevailing and insecurity is high. However, both its geographical situation and its 'melting pot' aspect makes it a town with a lot of potential that remains untapped by the local authorities so far. Hassan II Mosque For the 1942 film, see Casablanca (movie). ...