Ouezzane Province
Ouezzane Province
إقليم وزان ⵜⴰⵙⴳⴰ ⵏ ⵡⴰⵣⵣⴰⵏ[1] | |
|---|---|
 Landscape of Ouezzane Province, view from Mokrisset | |
 Seal | |
Interactive map of Ouezzane Province | |
| Country | Morocco |
| Region | Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima |
| Seat | Ouezzane |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,861.2 km2 (718.6 sq mi) |
| Population (2008 (estimate)[2]) | |
• Total | 307,083 |
Ouezzane Province is a predominantly rural province in the Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region of northwestern Morocco. Its capital is Ouezzane.
History
Ouezzane Province was created in 2009 as part of a territorial reorganization aimed at improving local governance and regional balance. It was formed from territories previously belonging mainly to Sidi Kacem Province (former Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen region) and Chefchaouen Province (former Tanger-Tetouan region).
The city of Ouezzane, the provincial capital, has historically been an important religious and cultural center, notably due to the presence of the Ouazzania zawiya, founded in the 17th century.
Geography
Ouezzane Province is located in northwestern Morocco, within the Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region. It lies in a transitional zone between the western Rif mountains and the plains of the Gharb.
It is bordered by:
- Chefchaouen Province to the north;
- Taounate Province to the east;
- Sidi Kacem Province to the south;
- Larache Province to the west.
The landscape is characterized by hills and Rif mountain ranges interspersed with fertile valleys. The climate is Mediterranean, with relatively wet winters and hot, dry summers.
The local economy is primarily based on agriculture, including olive cultivation, cereal farming, and livestock breeding.
Administrative divisions
Ouezzane Province is composed of 17 communes[2][3], formed from territories previously belonging to Sidi Kacem Province and Chefchaouen Province.[4]
It includes:
- one urban commune (municipality): Ouezzane, the provincial capital;
- sixteen rural communes: Ain Beida, Asjen, Bni Quolla, Brichka, Imzoufren, Kalaat Bouqorra, Lamjaara, Masmouda, Mokrisset, Ounnana, Sidi Ahmed Cherif, Sibi Bousber, Sidi Redouane, Teroual, Zghira, and Zoumi.
Demography
The province is divided administratively into the following municipalities and communes:
| Name | Geographic code | Type | Households | Population (2004)[5] | Foreign population | Moroccan population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ouezzane | 481.01.09. | Municipality | 12594 | 57,972 | 183 | 274,577 | The capital of the Province of Ouezzane and Central Hub |
| Bni Quolla | 481.07.01. | Rural commune | 3328 | 17512 | 6 | 17506 | |
| Lamjaara | 481.07.03. | Rural commune | 3053 | 16899 | 0 | 16899 | 2321 residents live in the center, called Ain Dorij; 14578 residents live in rural areas. |
| Masmouda | 481.07.05. | Rural commune | 3352 | 17126 | 5 | 17121 | |
| Mzefroune | 481.07.07. | Rural commune | 1665 | 8110 | 2 | 8108 | |
| Ounnana | 481.07.09. | Rural commune | 2316 | 13627 | 0 | 13627 | |
| Sidi Ahmed Cherif | 481.07.11. | Rural commune | 1845 | 10413 | 0 | 10413 | |
| Sidi Bousber | 481.07.13. | Rural commune | 2191 | 11260 | 0 | 11260 | |
| Sidi Redouane | 481.07.15. | Rural commune | 4116 | 20782 | 0 | 20782 | |
| Teroual | 481.07.17. | Rural commune | 2484 | 13046 | 0 | 13046 | |
| Zghira | 481.07.19. | Rural commune | 2867 | 16070 | 0 | 16070 | |
| Ain Beida | 151.09.01. | Rural commune | 2193 | 11851 | 0 | 11851 | |
| Asjen | 151.09.03. | Rural commune | 2497 | 13113 | 0 | 13113 | |
| Brikcha | 151.09.05. | Rural commune | 2192 | 10999 | 0 | 10999 | 1510 residents live in the center, called Brikcha; 9489 residents live in rural areas. |
| Kalaat Bouqorra | 151.09.07. | Rural commune | 2846 | 15165 | 0 | 15165 | |
| Moqrisset | 151.09.09. | Rural commune | 2135 | 10864 | 1 | 10863 | 1680 residents live in the center, called Moqrisset; 9184 residents live in rural areas. |
| Zoumi | 151.09.11. | Rural commune | 7743 | 39719 | 1 | 39718 | 3830 residents live in the center, called Zoumi; 35889 residents live in rural areas. |
References
- ↑ "ⵜⴰⵎⵙⴹⴼⵕⵜ ⵏ ⵉⴳⵎⴰⵎⵏ" (in Standard Moroccan Tamazight). Retrieved 2026-07-18.
- 1 2 "Ouezzane" (in French). Agency for the Promotion and Development of the North. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
- ↑ "Cartographic survey of Ouezzane Province" (PDF) (in French). Urban Agency of Tetouan. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
- ↑ "General Population and Housing Census 2004" (PDF) (in French). High Commission for Planning. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
- ↑ "Recensement général de la population et de l'habitat de 2004" (PDF). Haut-commissariat au Plan, Lavieeco.com. Retrieved 27 April 2012.