Berkane Province
Introduction '''Berkane Province''' (Berber: Aberkan, ⴱⴻⵔⴽⴰⵏ, Arabic: بَركان) is located in northeastern Morocco in the area of Aït Iznasen. It is bounded by the Mediterranean to its north, the Kiss Oued (Moroccan-Algerian border) and Oujda Prefecture in the east, Nador Province to the west, and Taourirt Province in the south. The Berkane Province includes under its jurisdiction the towns of Saïdia and Ahfir. The population of the city is 80,012 as of the 2004 census. The population originates primarily from Aït Iznasen, a major tribe which consists of Berber clans. The tribe's descendants are spread widely over the rest of eastern Morocco, usually in cities like Ahfir, Saïdia and Oujda. Due to recent immigration originating 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, 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 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"). This boulevard is lined with many of the most popular cafés 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: Name  Geographic code  Type  Households  Population (2004)  Foreign population  Moroccan population  Notes Ahfir  113.01.01.Municipality  4,160  19,482  310  19,172   Ain Erreggada  113.01.05.Municipality  625  2,983  11  2,972   Aklim  113.01.07.Municipality  1,812  8,969  5  8,964   Berkane  113.01.09.Municipality  17,245  80,012  199  79,813   Saïdia  113.01.25.Municipality  829  3,338  77  3,261   Sidi Slimane Echcharraa  113.01.29.Municipality  4,561  22,904  14  22,890   Aghbal  113.03.01.Rural commune  2,704  13,809  124  13,685   Fezouane  113.03.07.Rural commune  2,005  10,304  21  10,283   Laatamna  113.03.09.Rural commune  3,182  15,493  177  15,316   Madagh  113.03.11.Rural commune  2,758  13,980  54  13,926  2,312 residents live in the center, called Madagh; 11,668 residents live in rural areas. Boughriba  113.05.03.Rural commune  3,727  20,560  4  20,556   Chouihia  113.05.05.Rural commune  2,138  12,539  0  12,539   Rislane  113.05.13.Rural commune  879  5,195  0  5,195   Sidi Bouhria  113.05.15.Rural commune  991  5,400  1  5,399   Tafoughalt  113.05.17.Rural commune  609  3,150  2  3,148   Zegzel  113.05.19.Rural commune  6,424  32,210  38  32,172  16,145 residents live in the center, called Bouhdila; 16,065 residents live in rural areas.
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