Taza Province
Province of Morocco
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Taza Province | |
|---|---|
Bab Louta Reservoir, Tazekka National Park | |
![]() Interactive map of Taza Province | |
| Country | Morocco |
| Region | Fès-Meknès |
| Seat | Taza |
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:[1]
| 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 | |
