the old walled part of a city in North Africa or the Middle East, often with narrow streets and traditional markets.
From Arabic 'madinah' meaning 'city' or 'town.' It comes from a Semitic root and became commonly used in English to refer specifically to the old quarters of North African cities.
The layout of traditional medinas followed mathematical principles of narrow streets for shade and defense, with the central mosque positioned so the entire city could be governed from one viewpoint—medieval urban planning that worked so well it's largely unchanged today.
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