Souss-Massa

Souss-Massa
سوس ماسة
Region

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

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]

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. 1 2 3 Law, Gwillim. "Regions of Morocco". Statoids. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 "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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