Souss-Massa
Souss-Massa سوس ماسة | |
---|---|
Region | |
Location in Morocco | |
Coordinates: 30°05′N 8°29′W / 30.08°N 8.48°WCoordinates: 30°05′N 8°29′W / 30.08°N 8.48°W | |
Country | Morocco |
Created | September 2015 |
Capital | Agadir |
Government | |
• President | Ibrahim Hafidi |
Area[1] | |
• Total | 51,642 km2 (19,939 sq mi) |
Population (1 September 2014)[1] | |
• Total | 2,676,847 |
• Density | 52/km2 (130/sq mi) |
Time zone | WET (UTC+0) |
• Summer (DST) | WEST (UTC+1) |
Website | http://www.regionsmd.com/index.html |
Souss-Massa (Arabic: سوس ماسة) is one of the twelve regions of Morocco. It covers an area of 51,642 km² and had a population of 2,676,847 as of the 2014 Moroccan census.[1] The capital of the region is Agadir.[2]
Geography
Souss-Massa borders the regions of Marrakech-Safi to the north, Drâa-Tafilalet to the northeast and Guelmim-Oued Noun to the southwest. To the southeast is Algeria's Tindouf Province. The region faces the Atlantic Ocean on its western side: much of the coast is protected by Souss-Massa National Park. The interior of the region is dominated by the Anti-Atlas mountain range, while the Sous River runs across the northern part of the region, in the valley between the Anti-Atlas and the High Atlas. The capital Agadir is located at the mouth of the Sous. Toubkal National Park extends into the northeastern corner of the region.
History
Souss-Massa was formed in September 2015 by merging Tata Province, formerly part of Guelmim-Es Semara region, with five provinces of the former Souss-Massa-Drâa region.[2]
Government
Brahim Hafidi of the RNI was elected as the regional council's first president on 14 September 2015.[3] He had previously headed the Souss-Massa-Drâa regional council.[4]
Subdivisions
Souss-Massa comprises two prefectures and four provinces:[2]
- Agadir-Ida Ou Tanane Prefecture
- Chtouka-Aït Baha Province
- Inezgane-Aït Melloul Prefecture
- Taroudannt Province
- Tata Province
- Tiznit Province
Economy
Agriculture is a major economic activity in the Sous and Massa river basins located in the northwestern part of the region.[5] Industries related to the processing of agricultural and seafood products are also concentrated in the same area.[6] Agadir is an important fishing[7] and tourist port.[8] Tiznit is known for its traditional silverwork.[9]
Infrastructure
The A7 motorway connects Agadir with Marrakesh and Casablanca. The major north-south road through the region is the N1, while the N10 runs east-west in the Sous River valley, connecting Agadir to Taroudannt and Ouarzazate. Agadir is a major port city in Morocco and also has an international airport.
References
- 1 2 3 Law, Gwillim. "Regions of Morocco". Statoids. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- 1 2 3 "Décret fixant le nom des régions" (pdf). Portail National des Collectivités Territoriales (in French). 20 February 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- ↑ "Ministère de l'Intérieur : l'élection des présidents des Conseils des régions s'est déroulée dans de bonnes conditions et dans un climat de transparence" [Ministry of the Interior: the regional council presidential elections took place under good conditions and in an air of transparency] (Press release) (in French). Maghreb Arabe Press. 14 September 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- ↑ Aourik, Abdallah (7 April 2010). "Interview avec monsieur Brahim Hafidi, Président de la Région Souss Massa Draa" (in French). Agadir Net. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- ↑ "L'Agriculture". Souss-Massa Region. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- ↑ "UNE RICHESSE HUMAINE AU SERVICE DES RESSOURCES DE LA TERRE". Souss-Massa Region. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- ↑ "UNE INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNE & UN SAVOIR FAIRE CONFIRMÉ". Souss-Massa Region. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- ↑ "L'ÉVASION GAGNANTE". Souss-Massa Region. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- ↑ "L'ARTISANAT". Souss-Massa Region. Retrieved 11 December 2015.