Berkane Province

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

Berkane Province (Berber: Aberkan, 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 yat 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 major cities and towns are:

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

Etymology

The province is named after its largest city, Berkane. The name of the city comes from the word "aberkan" which means "black" in the Berber language.

Subdivisions

The province is divided administratively into the following:^[1]

References

Berkane Province
Capital: Berkane
Municipalities	Ahfir Ain Erreggada Aklim Berkane Saïdia Sidi Slimane Echcharraa
Rural communes	Aghbal Boughriba Chouihia Fezouane Laatamna Madagh Rislane Sidi Bouhria Tafoughalt Zegzel

Oriental region
Capital: Oujda
Provinces	Berkane Province Driouch Province Figuig Province Jerada Province Nador Province Oujda-Angad Prefecture Taourirt Province
Cities	Ahfir Ain Bni Mathar Ain Erreggada Aklim El Arwi Ben Taieb Berkane Beni Ensar (Aït Nsar) Bni Chiker Bni Drar Bni Tadjite Bouanane Bouarfa Bouhdila BouiZazarene Ihaddadene Dar El Kebdani Debdou Driouch El Aioun Sidi Mellouk Farkhana Figuig Jaadar Jerada Kariat Arkmane Kassita Kerouna Madagh Midar Nador Naïma Oued El Heimar Oujda Ras Kebdana Saïdia Segangan Selouane Sidi Boubker Sidi sliman echraa Tafersit Talsint Taouima Taourirt Tendrara Tiztoutine Touissit Zaio

Coordinates: 34°55′03″N 2°19′03″W / 34.917614°N 2.317469°W / 34.917614; -2.317469