Béni Mellal-Khénifra

Geography

Béni Mellal-Khénifra is located in the interior of the country. It borders Rabat-Salé-Kénitra to the north, Fès-Meknès to the northeast, Drâa-Tafilalet to the southeast, Marrakesh-Safi to the southwest, and Casablanca-Settat to the northwest. In the western and central part of the region is the productive Tadla plains irrigated by the Oum Er-Rbia River. This plain is bracketed by the High Atlas mountains which run through the southern and eastern parts of the region, and the foothills of the Middle Atlas to the north.

History

Béni Mellal-Khénifra was formed in September 2015 by adding Khouribga Province of Chaouia-Ouardigha region and Khénifra Province of Meknès-Tafilalet region to the three provinces previously making up the region of Tadla-Azilal.

Government

Following the 2021 regional elections, Adil Barakat, also a member of the Authenticity and Modernity Party, was elected president of the regional council. The current wali of the region is Mohamed Benribag.

Subdivisions

Béni Mellal-Khénifra comprises five provinces:

Economy

Agriculture comprises the majority of the region's economy. Major crops include cereals, beetroot, olives, citrus fruits, and pomegranates; the production of milk and meat is also substantial. The Ouled Abdoun Basin near Khouribga holds 44% of Morocco's phosphate reserves.

Infrastructure

The A4 expressway connects the region with the rest of the national expressway network, passing through the cities of Beni Mellal, Oued Zem an, d Khouribga as it heads northwest to Berrechid just south of Casablanca. National Route 8 is another important highway, connecting Beni Mellal and Khenifra with Marrakesh in the southwest and Fez in the northeast. Beni Mellal Airport is served by Royal Air Maroc, and there is a rail line with passenger service that runs between Oued Zem, Khouribga, and Casablanca.