Azilal province


Azilal province, east and north of Marrakech Ouarzazate is located in the heart of the mountain in the central part of the High Atlas peaks are rising to over 4000 meters.



It is in these upland source are the most beautiful rivers in Morocco: They generally follow open valleys peaceful, often wooded and densely populated mountain ranges that separate, but sometimes they cut the narrow gorges, deep canyons giant, which reflect the admirable work and time on water limestone and red clay. In these rivers, often very fast, to sport fishing, rafting, canoeing, and large reservoirs, all water sports.



It rains in the region, especially in the fall and spring. The summer is hot - sometimes with severe storms - even in the highest valleys. But the nights are cool and winters are cold (-20 °) with days often sunny and warm. This mountainous province, snow in October in altitude until the spring, is the field of election walkers and hikers, walking and skiing, climbing, and all those who love the mountains. The effort it demands and joys - very strong and authentic - it provides.

The villages of the High Atlas, very dense on their cliffs, often offer wonderful views. Gathered around the collective attic (Igherm) or fortified house (ighermt), their buildings have a remarkable architectural unity.

The walls are adobe (mud brick with lime and sometimes straw) sides exposed to the elements are reinforced dry stones. All materials come from the same place of the building, where the great harmony of these villages whose colors merge with those of the surrounding landscape.

The facades are decorated with dry stone, wood siding, joists and carved cornices: they reflect artistic taste very safe. The interiors are ornamented richest, walls and ceilings, painted embellishments, arabesques naive, charming and colorful.



• In mountain •



Can be in the High Atlas Azilal wonderful hiking (walking or skiing), and discover the scenery and little traffic, climate and sunshine incomparable but also a population legendary hospitality, which has preserved its traditions especially in the field of architecture and folklore.

Hiking is practiced throughout the year. The best time is from April to October.

Ski touring - the famous handset (mule-ski) own the High Atlas - practiced from early February to late April.

The Hikers peaceful, on foot or by mule, parcoureront valleys Ad Bouguemez Aït Bouwili and Tassout, high valleys between the mountains of Mgoun the south, east Azourki , Rat and Inghamar west, particularly beautiful: beautiful landscapes, villages, folklore made them famous.

Most athletes will follow the circuits massive high hiking Mgoun. This massif contains some of the highest peaks of the Atlas (Mgoun 4068 m). We meet beautiful forests of pine, juniper and Aleppo oaks. The high valleys are lined with narrow fields, whose colors contrast with the tan or beige bare slopes.

The massive Mgoun is chosen field of sport tourists whom he reserve discoveries. We practice in the summer, hiking, canyoning, mountain biking, rafting, paragliding, trout fishing, climbing, especially in the gorge Taghia Zaouiat Ahansal south of the Moroccan dolomites where climbers gather over the world attracted by the beauty and difficulty of the site.

The accommodation is provided in mountain lodges, homestay in hostels or shelters altitude.

The mountain guides of the Campania Azilal can organize, upon request, at all levels of hiking in the mountains of Mgoun.

• In mountain •

- Demnate, 46 km Azilal on the road to Marrakech is one of the gates of the High Atlas. Tiered side of the rock this town does not lack picturesque. Interesting ramparts (the Kasbah of Glaoui date time), opulent orchards and olive trees predominate, walnut and fig. Souk on Sunday.

- 7 km south of Demnate the bridge of Imi-n-Ifri is a tourist site of the first order. This impressive natural arch dimensions, launched over a river, is actually a boulder that once formed lock and the river has cut through and through. Concretions and stalactites.

- The prehistoric site Iroutane is 7 km Imi-n-Ifri the track. It consists of a set of horizontal slabs in a 2 hectares, having fossilized dinosaur footprints. This is a website and moving testament to the impressive presence in these places, there are 65 million years these huge animals mysteriously disappeared.

- The cascade of Aït Flalad, we earn from Sorh village 14 km from Lake Adel Aït in the valley of the Assif Aït Flalad about 2 km, jumps from a height of 25 m . Beautiful concretions tuff and very curious galleries trodytiques once inhabited told. The valley is green, dotted with pretty villages with traditional architecture (Sorh, Iguernit, Aït Ihda ...).

Visitors can connect this site yet very secluded, with an interesting circuit through the Lake Aït Adel, the valley and the waterfall Aït Flalad, Demnate and Imi-n-Ifri.

- The cave Ifri-n-Caid (about 25 km from Azilal): We joined the site with an excellent track from Aït M'hamed. The cave is located on the left bank of the river Bernat, near the "home of Kingpin." Large gallery on the first 200 meters, then run more sporty. Spacious, some concretions, presence of bats in the main gallery. The environment of the cave is magnificent cliffs, verdant valley of Wadi Bernat, and beautiful "house Kingpin" steeped in history, the monumental gate and carved ceilings.

- Ouzoud waterfalls, 36 km west of Azilal out one of the most beautiful sites of Morocco, and the most visited province. They soar in range and high jumps. Green valley, mills, orchards and beautiful circuit of the gorges of the El Abid wadi nearby.

- The dam of Bin El Ouidane, 27 km north of Azilal retains the waters of the Oued El Abid wadi and Ahansal, its hydroelectric power produces a quarter of Morocco. Its reservoir has an area of ​​3800 hectares, is awesome. On this vast expanse of water that surround the sides of the bowl red Wawizaght, all water sports are available: swimming, sailing, windsurfing, but also fishing (blackbass, perch, pike) and hunting on the wooded heights surrounding.

But you can also stroll through the High Atlas to relax in peace in the midst of beautiful nature.

In winter, large ski tours are organized: the famous combined "mule-ski" Morocco, which can cross the mountains by the main peaks.

From south to north, it connects to Ouarzazate Azilal from west to east, to Telouet Zaouiat Ahansal hikes in 6 to 10 days. These hikes so far, not intended for specialists overtrained: just know how to ski, and to be able to endurance.

Accommodation is provided in lodges, private houses and shelters altitude.

- Tizi N'Tirguist and engravings: A 10 km from the wadi Abachkou in Jebel Ghat, on the hiking trail Demante-Tabant, the site reflects the stay in these places of prehistoric men, originating Sahara while undergoing desertification. Many representations of weapons, fighting, hunting scenes ... A magnificent site, a touching memorial of ancient times.

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Tadla-Azilal talk about herself


Tadla-Azilal talk about herself



How would you describe your region to a foreign investor, or a tourist, or a businessman interested in it? What makes it unique, what makes it attractive?
 We advertise our region as the heart of Morocco. It has a central and strategic position: 200km away from Casablanca, 200km away from Marrakech, and almost 300km away from Fes: 3 major cities and markets.

We are working on projects aiming to reduce the distance and time between the region of Tadla-Azilal and these economic hubs. The most important one, which will boost economic development in the region, is the highway that will connect Beni Mellal to Casablanca on a distance of 160km. 
Tadla Azilal  Pastures
His Majesty has also given instructions to start another project of a highway that would connect Marrakech to Fes via Beni Mellal. The region of Tadla-Azilal also benefits from an important and diversified agriculture, and abundant water supply which, I might add, is shared generously and for free with Morocco's other regions.

Casablanca, Marrakech and the coastal region between Casablanca and Safi are all supplied by Tadla-Azilal's water resources. We can reach about 10 million consumers within a 300 km radius. Our region is also located on the circuit to the imperial cities (Marrakech-Fes-Meknes), which attracts many tourists, and we are near the Atlas Mountains and desert regions that attract tourists, such as Ouarzazate. We are a welcoming region, and truly the heart of Morocco.

Studies and surveys have been carried out regarding agriculture development, as part of the Plan Maroc Vert and Plan Emergence. We have identified 10 sectors with relative advantage: citrus fruit, sugar, milk products, meat, cereals, oils, spices, chili pepper. We are Morocco's first pomegranate producer. Sugar and milk products are well exploited sectors, but the other ones offer a great potential.

This study came to the conclusion that an agribusiness hub should be created in the region, dedicated to agriculture and agribusiness development and technology. It will span 200 hectares and be built by a private developer contractor. We also aim for the price of our water to be the most competitive. In addition to the agro-industrial hub, there will be a logistics hub, dedicated to the creation of a dry port for example.

We want to promote research, innovation, developmentally sustainable industry and renewable energy. Out of Morocco's 6 agriculture hubs, ours is to be ranked 3rd. Our region is formed of a plain as well as mountains, whose potential is just as unexploited. Our region was selected among the 8 regions of the country concerned by the plan for tourism development "Vision 2020". 
Tadla Azilal Milkproduction
We promote nature discovery and eco-friendly tourism, as we have Morocco's best preserved forests and wish to keep it that way. Our region has been in collaboration with the French department of Isere, expert in rural tourism, since 1985.

It is also a recognized place for parachuting. It welcomes international top level athletes, especially in the winter. We are studying the opportunity to install this ski resort with the "fédération Marocaine du Ski", if this project is selected, it will be one of the biggest ski resorts in Africa. Tourists can also go water skiing and boating on a 17km large lake, created by a weir.

Our region has been dubbed "a geologist's paradise" by geologists, as it has numerous prehistoric sites, fossils and traces of dinosaurs. A 165 million years old skeleton of a dinosaur was discovered here. We are working on a project to create the first geopark in Africa, in collaboration with the UNESCO. A paleontological museum is being built too.

Of course there is the mining sector. We are beginning to exploit our abundant resources in phosphate. Exporting phosphate has significantly improved our BOP. The sector is developing considerably in an eco-friendly manner: pipelines are to be built to transport phosphate to the port, rather than trains.

 The region of Beni Mellal and Tadla-Azilal is Morocco's largest irrigated perimeter (190'000 hectares; 8 big dams). The region benefits from a flourishing agriculture. It produces citrus fruits, sugar, wheat, etc.As a representative of the agriculture sector, what is your message for foreign investors etc.?
It has been somewhat forgotten and left behind, but it is now rapidly developing thanks to infrastructure. As we've only just begun developing, there is everything still to do in the field of agriculture.
What are the region's first needs?
We need industrial infrastructure in order to increase our product's value added. Many sectors are yet unexploited: citrus fruit, canning, syrup, frozen food, etc.

There is great potential in the region, especially now that it is about to become Casablanca's "backcountry": only 1,5 hour away thanks to the highway.
Tadla Azilal Waterfall
What guarantees foreign investors success in the region?
Rachid Zaarati, CEO of AGRUMCO: Firstly, the good quality of our products. Secondly, experienced and skilled labor is available. Besides, land itself is very affordable compared to other regions, and soon, the region will be 2 hours away from Morocco's biggest port.
What about the livestock sector?
Abderrahim Chatbi, CEO of Univers Genisses: Our region has a tradition of agriculture. We are all sons of cultivators. Recent development has taken place as a result of the "Green Plan" (Plan Maroc Vert). The plan revolves around two key concepts:

1) creating synergy between existing projects 2) a social approach of small cultivators. Big and small actors take part together in the project. The region is favorable to livestock. More than 30'000 stock breeders group together within 125 cooperatives. All sectors are represented by the regional COMADER (Confédération Marocaine de l'Agriculture et du Développement Rural– Moroccan Alliance for Agriculture and Rural Development).

But we lack good promotion of our products: we produce them, but we don't pack them, etc. We need to work on this, with a view to increase their value-added in the region, whether for national or international export.

Our region produces 35% of the national meat production. His Majesty has inaugurated a project of 20 million euros, to add value to the products.

We will assure good quality and food safety. We want to create a "new generation" of Moroccan products that would still be affordable for Moroccan consumers. We want to adapt to European norms in order to export our meat to the European market.
How do you advertise the region's incredible potential?
 The CGEM is in direct contact with Moroccan businessmen and advertises the region. We will attend international fairs, invite investors to visit the region and discover its potential.

As soon as the government announced the creation of a highway connecting the region to the rest of the country, important investors rushed on the region. A website was launched by the CRI to promote the region (www.tadla-azilal.ma).

We created a promotional film on rural tourism that was shown in various international tourism fairs. The creation of a regional branch of the CGEM will b
Tadla Azilal  Sugaroost this promotion. Of course we need to advertise our potential better through media, but we need to be able to welcome and accompany investors for it to be worth it, and that's something we still need to work on.

In 2003 (right after the creation of the CRI) authorized investment hardly reached 300 million dirhams. In 2008, it reached 7 billion dirhams, and 9 billion in 2010 after a slight decrease in 2009 due to the financial crisis. However, there is a vast potential that remains unexploited and investment is welcome.
Can you tell us more about the CGEM?
We wanted to create an entity that would help the regional small and medium enterprises grow, help them fix their problems, and accompany them to the stage where they can expand into international market. This is what the CGEM does.

The CGEM wants to create a regional radio station, to keep everyone up to date regarding the region's economic activity.
And the private sector?Tadla Azilal  Tomatoes
 90% of the active population is employed within the private sector. The sector has a responsibility to support these people as well as Morocco's economic development.

It has flourished during the 10 past years, and today numerous construction projects are under way, sometimes in partnership with the government.
Why did you choose Tadla-Azilal over other Moroccan regions?
Of course I am attached to the region I was born in. I want to invest and take part in its development, even though I do have business going on in other regions. The region's fantastic potential makes it worth taking risks, and it is deeply linked with Morocco's future.

Besides, 80% of the region's production is treated elsewhere (in Casablanca, Marrakech, Meknes), which has to change, thanks to investment and infrastructure. This should create many jobs in the region.
You mentioned public-private partnership. Can you tell us more?
 The public sector wants to bring infrastructure up to speed in order to attract investment. And this can be taken care of by the private sector.

That is why in 2002, investment management was decentralized, from Rabat to regional centers managed by local businessmen. Regional centers for investment are not a necessary step for investors, but they offer to accompany them in the region throughout the process. 
Tadla Azilal Agroindustry
Local councilors take an active part in the development process too, since the Ministry has delegated part of its power to local councilors, such as authorizing investment and selling national land.

Investment has become a regional matter. I am convinced that Morocco's newly region-based strategy will boost its development.



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Tadla-Azilal Waterfalls


Tadla-Azilal is a region in  Morocco :

The Tadla-Azilal region in Morocco has an advantageous location in the center of road network linking the major urban poles of the country (Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes and Rabat). 
  Ouzoud Waterfalls, Ouzoud Falls, Tadla-Azilal, Morocco


The region has well exploited its ideal climate, its arable lands, as well as the availability of water, to develop an important agriculture which represents the basis of its economy, the Tadla-Azilal region, composed of two provinces (Beni Mellal and Azilal) stretches over three different geographical formations: the fertile Tadla plain, the piedmont (Dir) which is abundant in forest resources and favourable to stock breeding, and the wonderful mountain rooted in the chain of the Medium and High Atlas ranges. The climate is Mediterranean with a rainy seaon lasting from November to March and a dry season from April to October. The average annual temperature is 18° C with peak periods of 38°C to 40°C in August and 3 to 4°C in January.

The population is 66% rural, young and dynamic. The population less than 25 years old constitutes half the population which amounts to 1 450 519 inhabitants, In the middle ages, Tadla was regarded as a great economic metropolis. It was known for its massive agricultural production (huge exports of cotton crops) as well as of its precious mineral riches, copper in particular.

From the Idrissid Dynasty in 788 AD to the Alaouite Dynasty in the year 1680 through Almoravids, Almohads, the Merinid Dynasty and the Saadi Dynasty, the Tadla-Azilal Region stood witness to the rule of each of these dynasties, In the period between the 17th and 19th centuries, Tadla was mentioned in the historical records of Leo Africanus and Charles de Foucauld, who describe the region’s mountainous villages, its Kasbahs and splendid vestiges.

During the colonial period, the mountainous chains surrounding the Tadla-Azilal region stood as a resistance, In the year 1955, during the first administrative division of post-protectorate Morocco, the province of Beni Mellal formed a part of the country’s 13 provinces. It consisted of the major part of Tadla’s territories, plains and mountains.

In 1974, Tadla region was divided up into two areas: the province of Beni Mellal, stretching over a large plain, and the mountainous province of Azilal,.the Tadla-Azilal region was first inhabited by the Amazighs (Berber people), the Zenata (they were farmers mostly living in plains), and the Haskur-Sanaga tribes (they were herders mostly living in mountains).

It was in 686 AD that the Arabs first came into contact with the Berbers with the Arabization of the Maghreb under Uqba ibn Nafia, Since then Arabs started to settle in the region.


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