Berkane Province (Arabic: بَركان) is located in northeastern Morocco in the Oriental region. The province was officially formed on 24 January 1994. It is bounded by the Mediterranean to its north, the Kiss Oued (Moroccan-Algerian border) and Oujda Prefecture in the east, Nador Province to the west, and Taourirt Province in the south. The Province includes under its jurisdiction the towns of Saïdia and Ahfir. The population originates primarily from Beni Iznasen, a major tribe in the region. The tribe's descendants are spread widely over the rest of the Oriental region. Eastern Morocco Arabic and Taznasit are the primary spoken languages.
Berkane province is considered a major player in the citrus fruit industry and high-quality fresh fruit and vegetables are plentiful year round. It is known for its farms of clementines, and a large statue of an orange is at the center of town. Saïdia is a popular beach resort town on the Mediterranean, Tafoughalt is a small village in the nearby mountains known for its healthy air and herb markets. Berkane is also famous for being the birthplace of the Olympic athlete Hicham El Guerrouj, who holds the world record for the fastest 1500 metres.
Berkane is the main city and namesake of the province, The city sprawls into the hillsides and connects via bridge to a small neighboring town/suburb named Sidi Slimane Echcharraa.
The major cities and towns are: Ahfir Berkane Saïdia
Etymology The province is named after its capital and largest city, Berkane. The name of the city comes from the word "aberkan" which means "black" in the Berber language.
Subdivisions The province is divided administratively into the following:
Name Geographic code Type Households Population (2004) Foreign population Moroccan population Notes Ahfir 113.01.01. Municipality 4,160 19,482 310 19,172 Ain Erreggada 113.01.05. Municipality 625 2,983 11 2,972 Aklim 113.01.07. Municipality 1,812 8,969 5 8,964 Berkane 113.01.09. Municipality 17,245 80,012 199 79,813 Saïdia 113.01.25. Municipality 829 3,338 77 3,261 Sidi Slimane Echcharraa 113.01.29. Municipality 4,561 22,904 14 22,890 Aghbal 113.03.01. Rural commune 2,704 13,809 124 13,685 Fezouane 113.03.07. Rural commune 2,005 10,304 21 10,283 Laatamna 113.03.09. Rural commune 3,182 15,493 177 15,316 Madagh 113.03.11. Rural commune 2,758 13,980 54 13,926 2,312 residents live in the center, called Madagh; 11,668 residents live in rural areas. Boughriba 113.05.03. Rural commune 3,727 20,560 4 20,556 Chouihia 113.05.05. Rural commune 2,138 12,539 0 12,539 Rislane 113.05.13. Rural commune 879 5,195 0 5,195 Sidi Bouhria 113.05.15. Rural commune 991 5,400 1 5,399 Tafoughalt 113.05.17. Rural commune 609 3,150 2 3,148 Zegzel 113.05.19. Rural commune 6,424 32,210 38 32,172 16,145 residents live in the center, called Bouhdila; 16,065 residents live in rural areas.
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