Fez (Ar. Fas). I. A province of Morocco, occupying the N. portion of the empire, bounded X. by the Mediterranean, E. by Algeria, and W. by the Atlantic. It is traversed in the east and south by branches of the Atlas mountains, but the western portions form a rich champaign country, productive in grain, chiefly wheat and barley, honey, tobacco, olives, and wine. The chief river is the Seboo, which, rising in the E. part of the province near the Atlas mountain, passes within 6 m. of the city of Fez, and enters the Atlantic at Mamora, where it is navigable. The chief cities are Fez and Tangier, the principal commercial seats of the empire, Mequinez, Tetuan, El-Araish, Salee, Rabat, and Kasr el-Kebir. The Spanish presidios of Ceuta, Alhucemas, Senor de Yelez, and Melilla are in this province, on the Mediterranean. Fez formed a part of Mauritania Tingitana under the Romans. Early in the 5th century the Vandals settled here, and remained until the conquest of N. W. Africa by the Arabs. It was subject successively to the eastern caliphs and the Ommiyades of Spain, and was afterward an independent kingdom till conquered and annexed to Morocco about 1548. II A city, capital of the province, in lat. 34° 6' N"., Ion. 5° 1' W., about 85 m. from the Mediterranean, and 90 m. from the Atlantic; pop. estimated at 88,000, including 65,000 Moors and Arabs, 10,000 Berbers, 9,000 Jews, and 4,000 negroes.

It is situated on the slope of a valley watered by a small affluent of the Seboo, which divides within the city into two branches, supplying the baths and fountains. The city, surrounded by dilapidated walls, is 4 m. in circuit, and is divided into the old and new towns, both, however, ancient, and both composed of narrow, dirty streets. The houses are of brick, with galleries and flat roofs. It is one of the three residences of the emperor, but the palace, although large, is not remarkable. In the 16th century this place was a famous seat of Arabic learning. It has yet a university called the house of science, colleges, and elementary schools. Formerly the city contained some hundreds of mosques, and is said still to have 100, of which the principal are El-Karubin and the mosque of Sultan Muley Edris, founder of the city (in the 9th century). The former has a covered court for women to pray in, and the latter, which contains the remains of the founder, is a sanctuary for criminals. From its abundance of mosques and relics Fez is a holy city to the western Arabs. It possesses 200 caravansaries, some hospitals, and manufactories of woollens, sashes, silk stuffs and girdles, the red woollen caps called fez (dyed of a bright red color by means of a berry found in the vicinity), slippers, coarse linens, tine carpets, saddlery, arms, etc.

Of the fine leather known by the name of morocco, the red comes from Fez. Its artisans are very skilful in goldsmith's work and jewelry. It is the depot of the inland trade, and collects for export gums, spices, ostrich feathers, ivory, etc. Caravans set out from the city semi-annually, in March and October, across the desert for Timbnctoo. They complete the round journey in 139 days, of which only 54 are employed in actual travel.