Had Dra
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Had Dra
أحد الدرى | |
|---|---|
Rural commune and town | |
 Interactive map of Had Dra | |
| Coordinates: 31°34′45.7″N 9°32′16.1″W / 31.579361°N 9.537806°W | |
| Country | Morocco |
| Region | Marrakesh-Safi |
| Province | Essaouira Province |
| Population (2024)[1] | |
• Total | 9,412 |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (WEST) |
| Postal code | 44003 |
Had Dra (أحد الدرى; Tifinagh: ⵃⴰⴷ ⴷⵔⴰ) is a small town and rural commune in the Essaouira Province of the Marrakesh-Safi region of Morocco. Located approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Essaouira, it serves as a major commercial hub for the region's rural population, primarily through its historic weekly market.[2]
Had Dra is situated on the arid plains of the Essaouira hinterland. The landscape features rolling hills and rocky plateaus dominated by Argan forests. The name is derived from the Tamazight word adra, referring to the wild fig trees historically found in the area.[3]
The commune acts as a vital link between the coastal regions and the interior, bordering several other rural municipalities within the Essaouira Province.
History
Historically, the area was a territory of the Chiadma and Haha tribes. It has served for centuries as a "neutral" meeting point for local tribes to conduct trade. This legacy continues today through the town's massive Sunday market, which remains one of the most culturally significant gathering points in Central Morocco.[2]
Demographics
According to the **2024 General Population and Housing Census**, the population of Had Dra has grown to **9,412** residents, up from 8,984 in 2004.[1] The number of households has increased to **2,284**, reflecting a national trend toward smaller, nuclear family structures. The population is largely Amazigh (Chiadma), and while Darija is the primary language of daily life, Tachelhit is rarely spoken in the surrounding rural douars.[1]