Khouribga Plateau

Khouribga ( ber, ⵅⵯⵔⵉⴱⴳⴰ, xʷribga; ar, خريبڭة, ḵurībga, ) is the capital of Khouribga Province in the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region, Morocco. With a population of 196,196 (2014 census), Khouribga owes its growth to the phosphate deposits nearby.

Geography

Located at 120 km from Casablanca, 154 km from the capital, Rabat, more than 200 km from the city of Marrakesh, and about 99 km from the city of Beni Mellal and 60 km from the city of Settat.

Khouribga is located 820 meters above sea level on the Ouardigha plateau. The city was founded in 1923 by the authorities of the French protectorate when they discovered phosphate in the region, for which Morocco is considered to be the biggest exporter in the world. There are several mines in the province, most notably the mine of Sidi Shennan near the town of Oued Zem, which lies 30 km from the village of Boulanouar (5 km) and the town of Boujniba (10 km) and the village of Hattane.

The Province of Khouribga is bordered by the Province of Beni Mellal in the east, Province of Ben Slimane in the west, the Province of Settat in the south, and Khémisset Province in the north.

Climate

Khouribga has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate ( Köppen climate classification ''Csa''). In winter there is more rainfall than in summer. The average annual temperature in Khouribga is . About of precipitation falls annually.

Economy

Phosphate

The Province of Khouribga has a large phosphate reserve estimated 35 to 40 billion cubic meters, which is ranked first at the international level. Also Khouribga is one of the cities that brings hard currency and that is due to its community residents from Italy.

The phosphate mines in the Ouled Abdoun Basin are notable source of fossils, especially Mosasaur and Sharks jaws and teeth.

Industrial activities

In addition to phosphate mining, the province knew the emergence of other industries in economic sectors such as:
* Electrical and electronics industry
* Chemical industry
* Food Industry
* Mechanical Industry
* Textiles

Industrial areas

The province has three Industrial zones:
* The industrial zone of Khouribga (industrial district): 20 hectares (234 partitions) and 13 operating industrial units plus the expansion of the zone.
* The industrial zone of Oued Zem.
*The industrial zone of Bejaad.

Services

The province has several services, among them:
* 25 bank agencies
* 6 insurance agencies
* 7 travel agencies
* 2 railways with daily trips with a project to build a modern station.

Agriculture

The agricultural lands is divided into 50% arable land, 20% forests, 30% unused land.
Livestock is the most important source of income for the rural population, the herd is estimated to be:
* Goats: 30.000-60.000 heads
* Equidae: 40.000-60.000 heads
* Cows: 50.000-70.000 heads
* Sheep: 500.000-600.000 heads

Handicrafts

The handicrafts sector represents a sizable part of the local economy with 9 cooperatives (260 members), and a handicrafts association.

Health

The facilities cover most of the province with:
* 6 rooms
* 3 provincial hospitals
* 20 health centers
* 7 urban health centers
* 9 rural clinics

Twin towns – sister cities

Khouribga is twinned with:
* Alcamo, Italy
* Erzincan, Turkey
* Karaj, Iran

Notable people

* Adam Masina, professional footballer
* Hicham Mahdoufi, Former international footballer
* Hindi Zahra, international singer
* Hind Dehiba, née Chahyd, born on March 17, 1979 in Khouribga, a Moroccan-French middle-distance runner
* Jawad El Yamiq, professional footballer
* Mohamed Saïd El Wardi, Former middle-distance runner
* Otmane El Assas, former professional footballer
* Rababe Arafi, middle-distance runner
* Walid El Karti, professional footballer

See also

* Office Cherifien des Phosphates

References

{{Authority control

Populated places in Khouribga Province
Municipalities of Morocco
Khouribga