Souss-Massa

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Souss-Massa
سوس ماسة
Region
Location in Morocco
Location in Morocco
Coordinates: 30°05′N 8°29′W / 30.08°N 8.48°W / 30.08; -8.48Coordinates: 30°05′N 8°29′W / 30.08°N 8.48°W / 30.08; -8.48
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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Brahim Hafidi (other languages) 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[edit]

Souss-Massa comprises two prefectures and four provinces:[2]

Economy[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Law, Gwillim. "Regions of Morocco". Statoids. Retrieved 11 December 2015. 
  2. ^ a b c "Décret fixant le nom des régions" (pdf). Portail National des Collectivités Territoriales (in French). 20 February 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2015. 
  3. ^ "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. 
  4. ^ 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. 
  5. ^ "L'Agriculture". Souss-Massa Region. Retrieved 11 December 2015. 
  6. ^ "UNE RICHESSE HUMAINE AU SERVICE DES RESSOURCES DE LA TERRE". Souss-Massa Region. Retrieved 11 December 2015. 
  7. ^ "UNE INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNE & UN SAVOIR FAIRE CONFIRMÉ". Souss-Massa Region. Retrieved 11 December 2015. 
  8. ^ "L'ÉVASION GAGNANTE". Souss-Massa Region. Retrieved 11 December 2015. 
  9. ^ "L'ARTISANAT". Souss-Massa Region. Retrieved 11 December 2015. 
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