Taza Province is a largely rural province in northeastern Morocco, located within the Fès-Meknès region. It is named after its capital, the city of Taza, and occupies a strategic position between the Rif Mountains and the Middle Atlas.

Geography

The province lies in a transitional zone linking the Rif and the Middle Atlas mountain ranges. Its terrain is predominantly mountainous, with elevations ranging from low valleys to peaks exceeding 3,000 meters in the Bouiblane massif.

A key geographic feature is the Taza corridor, formed by the valley of the Inaouen River, which serves as a natural passage between eastern and western Morocco. This corridor has historically played an important role in transportation and settlement.

The province is bordered by Al Hoceïma Province and Driouch Province to the north, Guercif Province to the east, Sefrou Province to the south, and Taounate Province to the west.

The Tazekka National Park is located within the province, near the city of Taza, and is known for its forests, caves, and biodiversity.

History Taza Province was established as part of Morocco’s administrative organization and has undergone territorial changes over time, notably with the creation of Guercif Province in 2009, which reduced its area.

Archaeological surveys in the region have identified several prehistoric sites, particularly between the area of Saka and the eastern Rif, indicating early human settlement.

Economy The economy of the province is mainly based on agriculture and livestock farming, supported by the presence of fertile valleys such as that of the Inaouen River.

Due to its mountainous terrain, industrial activity remains limited, while small-scale trade and local markets play a significant role in the economy.

Administrative organization Taza Province includes a number of urban municipalities and rural communes organized into administrative circles. The city of Taza serves as the administrative and economic center.

The main urban centers of the province include Taza, Aknoul, Tahla, and Oued Amlil.

Subdivisions The province is divided administratively into the following:

Name Geographic code Type Households Population (2004) Foreign population Moroccan population Notes Aknoul 561.01.01. Municipality 847 4066 1 4065 Oued Amlil 561.01.05. Municipality 1510 8246 0 8246 Tahla 561.01.07. Municipality 4879 25655 3 25652 Taza 561.01.11. Municipality 27798 139686 187 139499 Ajdir 561.03.01. Rural commune 2314 12627 1 12626 1451 residents live in the center, called Ajdir; 11176 residents live in rural areas. Bourd 561.03.03. Rural commune 1607 9831 0 9831 Gzenaya Al Janoubia 561.03.05. Rural commune 2038 11860 0 11860 Jbarna 561.03.07. Rural commune 622 3456 0 3456 Sidi Ali Bourakba 561.03.09. Rural commune 1856 10500 0 10500 Tizi Ouasli 561.03.11. Rural commune 1516 8385 0 8385 1695 residents live in the center, called Tizi Ouasli; 6690 residents live in rural areas. Assebbab 561.05.01. Rural commune 948 6721 0 6721 Barkine 561.05.03. Rural commune 1657 11409 0 11409 Houara Oulad Raho 561.05.05. Rural commune 5595 32866 21 32845 Lamrija 561.05.07. Rural commune 2050 13813 13 13800 Mazguitam 561.05.09. Rural commune 1409 9891 0 9891 Oulad Bourima 561.05.11. Rural commune 318 1951 0 1951 Ras Laksar 561.05.13. Rural commune 1491 10708 0 10708 Saka 561.05.15. Rural commune 2879 19547 0 19547 Taddart 561.05.17. Rural commune 3104 20474 1 20473 Bni Frassen 561.07.01. Rural commune 4386 28014 0 28014 Bouchfaa 561.07.03. Rural commune 1694 10703 2 10701 Bouhlou 561.07.05. Rural commune 1461 9259 0 9259 Ghiata Al Gharbia 561.07.07. Rural commune 3401 23447 2 23445 Oulad Zbair 561.07.09. Rural commune 2841 18933 0 18933 4193 residents live in the center, called Oulad Zbair; 14740 residents live in rural areas. Rbaa El Fouki 561.07.11. Rural commune 1261 8498 0 8498 Ait Saghrouchen 561.09.01. Rural commune 2888 16362 0 16362 Bouyablane 561.09.03. Rural commune 468 3534 0 3534 Maghraoua 561.09.05. Rural commune 1509 10406 0 10406 Matmata 561.09.07. Rural commune 2035 11874 9 11865 2194 residents live in the center, called Matmata; 9680 residents live in rural areas. Smià 561.09.09. Rural commune 1333 8099 0 8099 Tazarine 561.09.11. Rural commune 483 3465 0 3465 Zrarda 561.09.13. Rural commune 1785 10092 0 10092 3860 residents live in the center, called Zrarda; 6232 residents live in rural areas. Bni Ftah 561.11.01. Rural commune 1819 12378 0 12378 Brarha 561.11.03. Rural commune 1349 9065 0 9065 El Gouzate 561.11.05. Rural commune 1240 7710 0 7710 Kaf El Ghar 561.11.07. Rural commune 1739 10343 0 10343 Msila 561.11.09. Rural commune 1626 10153 0 10153 Taifa 561.11.11. Rural commune 1468 8808 0 8808 Tainaste 561.11.13. Rural commune 1852 11246 1 11245 1905 residents live in the center, called Tainaste; 9341 residents live in rural areas. Traiba 561.11.15. Rural commune 1259 8073 0 8073 Bab Boudir 561.13.01. Rural commune 898 6100 1 6099 Bab Marzouka 561.13.03. Rural commune 3173 20846 0 20846 Bni Lent 561.13.05. Rural commune 2188 13678 0 13678 Galdamane 561.13.07. Rural commune 3372 21111 1 21110 Meknassa Acharqia 561.13.09. Rural commune 1266 7532 0 7532 Meknassa Al Gharbia 561.13.11. Rural commune 657 4070 0 4070 Oulad Chrif 561.13.13. Rural commune 1403 10439 0 10439

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