Ben Guerir
Ben Guerir
بن ڭرير | |
|---|---|
City | |
Ben Guerir Ben Guerir | |
| Coordinates: 32°14′34.82″N 7°57′34.54″W / 32.2430056°N 7.9595944°W | |
| Country | Morocco |
| Region | Marrakesh-Safi |
| Province | Rehamna |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Thami Mouhib |
| Elevation | 449 m (1,473 ft) |
| Population (2024)[1] | |
• Total | 114,872 |
Ben Guerir (Arabic: بن ڭرير) is a city in central Morocco and the administrative center of the Rehamna province, within the Marrakesh-Safi region. It is recognized as a hub for higher education and a key military location.[2][3]
The city is situated in the historical territory of the Rahamna tribe and is notable for its educational, industrial, and military significance.
Geography
Ben Guerir lies in a semi-arid zone in central Morocco, north of Marrakesh. Its geographical location has historically made it a strategic center within the Rehamna tribal territory and later a key node in national development strategies.
Demographics
According to the 2014 Moroccan census, Ben Guerir had a population of 88,626 inhabitants,[4] up from 62,693 in the 2004 census.[5]
By 2024, the population had increased to 114,872, reflecting continued growth over the previous two decades.[1]
Education
Ben Guerir is home to University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), a major institution focusing on research, innovation, and sustainable development. The university played a central role in the city’s transformation into a knowledge and technology hub.[6]
Additionally, the city hosts the Lycée Mohammed VI d'Excellence, a selective high school that also offers post-secondary preparatory classes for admission to elite universities, with a strong focus on science and engineering.[7]
In December 2024, Ben Guerir was officially recognized as a UNESCO Learning City for its efforts in promoting inclusive education, lifelong learning, and sustainable urban development.[2]
Economy
The city is a major center for the extraction and processing of phosphate rock, primarily operated by the OCP Group, one of the world's largest phosphate exporters.[8]
In recent years, OCP has spearheaded efforts to develop Ben Guerir into a model green city, integrating sustainable urban planning and environmental practices.[9]
Military
Ben Guerir hosts the Ben Guerir Air Base, which has strategic importance and contributes to the city’s military character.[3]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Ben Guerir (Urban Commune, Morocco) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ a b "From literacy to digital libraries: How Benguerir is empowering its citizens through lifelong learning". UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning. 2024-12-01. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ a b "Joint Jump". U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 2025-03-10. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "POPULATION LÉGALE DES RÉGIONS, PROVINCES, PRÉFECTURES, MUNICIPALITÉS, ARRONDISSEMENTS ET COMMUNES DU ROYAUME D'APRÈS LES RÉSULTATS DU RGPH 2014" (in Arabic and French). High Commission for Planning, Morocco. 8 April 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
- ^ "Morocco 2004 Census". Archived from the original on 2011-07-05. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
- ^ "Mohammed VI Polytechnic University". Times Higher Education (THE). 2024-02-29. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "Maroc : voyage au cœur du lycée d'excellence de Benguérir". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "Opérations Industrielles". OCP Group (in French). Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ Sylla, Adama (2024-09-29). "Ville Verte de Benguérir. Un modèle marocain de durabilité". Challenge.ma (in French). Retrieved 2025-05-14.