Rabat has been the capital city of Morocco since the French arrived in 1912, retaining its status as capital when the kingdom declared its independence in 1956, by order of the King. There are two very separate parts to the city - the old walled town (Medina) and the new town (Ville Nouvelle) which was built by the French. Unlike many of Morocco's cities, Rabat is neither congested nor hectic, enjoying wide boulevards, a relaxed atmosphere and a predominantly middle-class population. The Medina is a real pleasure to explore; it is the most compact area of the city, bordered by the ocean, the Bou Regreg River and by the Almohades and Andalusian walls, which date back to the 12th and 17th centuries respectively.