Ben Guerir
Ben Guerir
بن ڭرير | |
|---|---|
City | |
 | |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 411: Malformed coordinates value. | |
| Coordinates: Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found. | |
| Country | Morocco |
| Region | Marrakesh-Safi |
| Province | Rehamna |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | ouardi abdellatif |
| Elevation | 449 m (1,473 ft) |
| Population (2024)[1] | |
• Total | 114,872 |
Ben Guerir (Arabic: بن ڭرير) is a city in central Morocco and the administrative center of the Rehamna province, within the Marrakesh-Safi region. It is recognized as a hub for higher education and a key military location.[2][3]
The city is situated in the historical territory of the Rahamna tribe and is notable for its educational, industrial, and military significance.
Geography
[edit | edit source]Ben Guerir lies in a semi-arid zone in central Morocco, north of Marrakesh. Its geographical location has historically made it a strategic center within the Rehamna tribal territory and later a key node in national development strategies.
Demographics
[edit | edit source]According to the 2014 Moroccan census, Ben Guerir had a population of 88,626 inhabitants,[4] up from 62,693 in the 2004 census.[5]
By 2024, the population had increased to 114,872, reflecting continued growth over the previous two decades.[1]
Education
[edit | edit source]Ben Guerir is home to University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), a major institution focusing on research, innovation, and sustainable development. The university played a central role in the city’s transformation into a knowledge and technology hub.[6]
Additionally, the city hosts the Lycée Mohammed VI d'Excellence, a selective high school that also offers post-secondary preparatory classes for admission to elite universities, with a strong focus on science and engineering.[7]
In December 2024, Ben Guerir was officially recognized as a UNESCO Learning City for its efforts in promoting inclusive education, lifelong learning, and sustainable urban development.[2]
Economy
[edit | edit source]The city is a major center for the extraction and processing of phosphate rock, primarily operated by the OCP Group, one of the world's largest phosphate exporters.[8]
In recent years, OCP has spearheaded efforts to develop Ben Guerir into a model green city, integrating sustainable urban planning and environmental practices.[9]
Military
[edit | edit source]Ben Guerir hosts the Ben Guerir Air Base, which has strategic importance and contributes to the city’s military character.[3]
See also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
