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, formed from territories previously belonging to Sidi Kacem Province and Chefchaouen Province.
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) 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.
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