Berkane Province

Berkane Province ⵜⴰⵏⴻⴱⴹⵉⵜ ⵏ ⴱⴻⵔⴽⴰⵏ بَركان
Province
Country	Morocco
Region	Oriental
Capital	Berkane
Population (2004)
• Total	270,328

Berkane Province (Berber: Berkan, ⴱⴻⵔⴽⴰⵏ, Arabic: بَركان) is located in northeastern Morocco in the area of Trifa, bounded by the Mediterranean to its north, the Kiss Oued (Moroccan-Algerian border) and Oujda Perfecture in the east, Nador Province to the west, and Taourirt Province in the south. Berkane Province includes under its jurisdiction the towns of Saïdia and Ahfir. The population of the city is 80,012 (2004 census). The population originate primarily from Ayt Iznasen, a major tribe which consists of Berber clans. The tribe's descendants are spread over the rest of eastern Morocco, in cities like Ahfir, Saïdia and Oujda. Because of recent immigration from all over Morocco, the eastern dialect of Moroccan Arabic is spoken by most of the citizens, although Berber is still spoken by many of the adults.

Berkane is considered the capital of the citrus fruit industry of Morocco, and high-quality fresh fruit and vegetables are plentiful year round. It is known for its farms of clementines mostly owned by the pro French protectorate Algerians such as Belhaj or Belhaj Bouabdallah family and the Ex drug lord Hoummad Kantari, also a large statue of an orange is at the center of town. It is very close to Saïdia, a popular beach resort town on the Mediterranean, as well as Tafoughalt, 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 mile but unfortunately, he has never been a major social player in the development of his native town.

Berkane is a sprawling city centered on Avenue Mohammed V, a commercial and business strip, and boulevard Ibn Sina/Rue Dehb or Alhob(meaning "The Street of Gold and or street of love"), which is lined with many of the most popular cafes and jewelry shops. The city sprawls into the hillsides and connects via bridge to a small neighboring town named Sidi Slimane, giving the impression that it is much larger than the census claims.

The name of the city (Berkan > aberkan) means "black" in the Berber language.x=1248421761&men=gpro&lng=en&des=wg&geo=-6466&srt=npan&col=adhoq&msz=1500 ]

The major cities and towns are: [1]

• Ahfir
• Ain Erreggada
• Aklim
• Berkane
• Bouhdila
• Madagh
• Saïdia
• Sidi Slimane Echcharraa

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	4160	19482	310	19172
Ain Erreggada	113.01.05.	Municipality	625	2983	11	2972
Aklim	113.01.07.	Municipality	1812	8969	5	8964
Berkane	113.01.09.	Municipality	17245	80012	199	79813
Saïdia	113.01.25.	Municipality	829	3338	77	3261
Sidi Slimane Echcharraa	113.01.29.	Municipality	4561	22904	14	22890
Aghbal	113.03.01.	Rural commune	2704	13809	124	13685
Fezouane	113.03.07.	Rural commune	2005	10304	21	10283
Laatamna	113.03.09.	Rural commune	3182	15493	177	15316
Madagh	113.03.11.	Rural commune	2758	13980	54	13926	2312 residents live in the center, called Madagh; 11668 residents live in rural areas.
Boughriba	113.05.03.	Rural commune	3727	20560	4	20556
Chouihia	113.05.05.	Rural commune	2138	12539	0	12539
Rislane	113.05.13.	Rural commune	879	5195	0	5195
Sidi Bouhria	113.05.15.	Rural commune	991	5400	1	5399
Tafoughalt	113.05.17.	Rural commune	609	3150	2	3148
Zegzel	113.05.19.	Rural commune	6424	32210	38	32172	16145 residents live in the center, called Bouhdila; 16065 residents live in rural areas.