Ait-Ben-Haddou is the site of one of the best-preserved ksars or fortified cities of southern Morocco. Located on the trans-Saharan caravan routes, this Berber town is positioned on the trade route between the gold-producing areas of Ghana, the salt-producing areas north of the Sahara, and Marrakech. Trade routes are determined by both how the geography of the region permits passage of caravans and by the commodities produced by various regions—that is, you have to have a reason to go somewhere and a good way to get there. This architecture is a good adaptation for the geography of the region, with inexpensive construction (albeit a material that faces damage from the infrequent rains), good defensive strength, and a cooling effect for the interior. A number of movies have been filmed here because it fits well with the Hollywood image of the Middle East. Ait-Ben-Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is such a good example of pre-Saharan architecture, with high earthen defen