Béni-Mellal is a province in the Moroccan region of Béni Mellal-Khénifra. Its population in 2004 was 946,018. [1]

Geography

Béni Mellal Province is located in the Atlas Mountains with a plateau situated 400 to 600 meters above sea level, as well as mountains rising to 2,460 meters (Mount Ighnayen) and 2,240 meters ( Mount Tassemit). The high mountains are covered with snow from November to April.

Beni Mellal Province has a continental climate with rainfall varying between 350 and 650 mm depending on the year. November is the rainiest month, with almost 25% of the annual precipitation. Snow is not uncommon on the plateau in winter. Extreme temperatures on the plateau range from a -6 °C in January 2005 to a 47 °C in July 2007. The summer is normally very hot because of the burning easterly or southeasterly winds, known as chergui, which blow off the Sahara and raise the temperature above 40 °C. The heat waves sometimes end in violent thunderstorms.

Settlements

The major cities and towns are: [2]

• Aghbala
• Beni Mellal
• El Ksiba
• Kasba Tadla
• Oulad M Barek
• Oulad Yaich
• Sidi Jaber
• Zaouiat Cheikh

Other towns and settlements include:

• Tartemat

Subdivisions

The province is divided administratively into the following: ^[1]

References

32°20′22″N 6°21′39″W / 32.33944°N 6.36083°W / 32.33944; -6.36083