Ouirgane

Ouirgane
Rural commune and town
Ouirgane is located in Morocco
Ouirgane
Ouirgane
Location in Morocco
Coordinates: 31°11′N 8°5′W / 31.183°N 8.083°W / 31.183; -8.083
Country Morocco
RegionMarrakesh-Safi
ProvinceAl Haouz Province
Population
 (2004)
 • Total
6,916
Time zoneUTC+0 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+1 (WEST)

Ouirgane is a small town and rural commune in Al Haouz Province of the Marrakesh-Tensift-El Haouz region of Morocco. At the time of the 2004 census, the commune had a total population of 6916 people living in 1281 households.[1] It is a Berber village.

Geography

Ouirgane is situated in the High Atlas mountains in the heart of the Toubkal National Park at about 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) above sea level.[2][3] By road it is located 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) southwest of Asni and 65 kilometres (40 mi) south of Marrakesh along the S501 road.[4][3] The Oued Nfis River flows through the valley of the commune.[5] The village itself lies on the eastern bank of the reservoir and barrage which dams the Oued Nfis river.[6] The village is set amongst olive trees.

Landmarks

Ouirgane has a souq noted for its Berber pottery[7] the Tin Mal Mosque, a ruined kasbah, and several salt mines in the vicinity.[7] There are also two notable hotels with facing gardens; a stream near the hotels "drains the western face of Jbel Toubkal".[8] La Roseraie hotel has horse-riding facilities to accommodate the many tourists who visit during the summer months;[9] it also has a health center above the mineral stream.[8] The Auberge au Sanglier qui Fume is a hunter's lodge.[10] Tagadirt n'Bour is constructed of drystone walls and is located 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south of the village.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Recensement général de la population et de l'habitat de 2004" (PDF). Haut-commissariat au Plan, Lavieeco.com. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  2. ^ "Ouirgane". Naturally Morocco. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  3. ^ a b McLachlan, Anne; McLachlan, Keith (October 1994). 1995 North African Handbook: With Andalucia-Moorish Southern Spain. McGraw-Hill. p. 315. ISBN 978-0-8442-8978-6. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  4. ^ Maps (Map). Google Maps.
  5. ^ "Ouirgane". Nomads Travel.
  6. ^ Lonely Planet Publications (Firm) (2009). Morocco. Lonely Planet Publications. p. 324. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  7. ^ a b DORLING KINDERSLEY; Dorling Kindersley Publishing Staff (1 December 2010). Morocco. Dorling Kindersley Limited. p. 252. ISBN 978-1-4053-5858-3. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  8. ^ a b Rogerson, Barnaby (1 October 2000). Marrakesh, Fez, Rabat. New Holland Publishers. p. 136. ISBN 978-1-86011-973-6. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  9. ^ Sullivan, Paul (8 March 2007). A Hedonist's Guide to Marrakech. A Hedonist's guide to... p. 177. ISBN 978-1-905428-06-9. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  10. ^ Stallings, Douglas (21 February 2012). Fodor's Morocco. Random House Digital, Inc. pp. 268–. ISBN 978-0-307-92832-0. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  11. ^ Barnaby Rogerson (1 October 2000). Marrakesh, Fez, Rabat. New Holland Publishers. pp. 136–. ISBN 978-1-86011-973-6. Retrieved 7 June 2012.