Berkane
Berkane | |
|---|---|
City | |
| Country |  Morocco |
| Region | Oriental |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (WEST) |
| Postal code | 63300 |
Berkane or (Berber: Berkan, Arabic: بَركان) is a city in the northeastern Morocco (Rif) in the area of Trifa, limited by the Mediterranean to its north, the Kiss Oued (Moroccan-Algerian border) and Oujda Province in the east, Nador Province to the west, and Taourirt Province in the south. This county of Berkane is a province that includes under its jurisdiction the town of Saidia and Ahfir. The population of the city is 80,012 (2004 census). They originate primarily from Ayt Iznasen, a major tribe which consists of Berber clans. The tribe's descendants are also spread over the rest of eastern Morocco, in cities like Ahfir, Saïdia and Oujda. Because of recent immigration from all over Morocco, the eastern dialect of Moroccan Arabic is spoken by most of the citizens, although Berber is still spoken by many of the adults.
Berkane is considered the capital of the citrus fruit industry of Morocco, and high-quality fresh fruit and vegetables are plentiful year round. It is known for its farms of clementines mostly owned by the pro French protectorate Algerians such as Belhaj or Belhaj Bouabdallah family and the Ex drug lord Hoummad Kantari, also a large statue of an orange is at the center of town. It is very close to Saïdia, a popular beach resort town on the Mediterranean, as well as Tafoughalt, a small village in the nearby mountains known for its healthy air and herb markets. Berkane is also famous for being the birthplace of the Olympic athlete Hicham El Guerrouj, who holds the world record for the fastest mile but unfortunately, he has never been a major social player in the development of his native town.
Berkane is a sprawling city centered on Avenue Mohammed V, a commercial and business strip, and boulevard Ibn Sina/Rue Dehb or Alhob(meaning "The Street of Gold and or street of love"), which is lined with many of the most popular cafes and jewelry shops. The city sprawls into the hillsides and connects via bridge to a small neighboring town named Sidi Slimane, giving the impression that it is much larger than the census claims.
The name of the city (Berkan > aberkan) means "black" in the Berber language.
External links
- Nador Rif News شبكة أخبار الناظور و الريف أريفينو.نت ; www.ariffino.net
- Berkane entry in lexicorient
- Berkane Fort Web Site
