Country Morocco Time zone WET (UTC+0) Population 2.314 million (2014) | Capital Oujda Area 90,127 km² | |
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University Mohamed Premier University Clubs and Teams Renaissance Sportive de Berkane, MC Oujda, Hilal de Nador, US Musulmane d'Oujda, Fath Riadi de Nador Points of interest Saidia beach, Marine Club, Mediterrania Saïdia, Complexe Touristique Mont Vert, Cave‑Jamal Destinations Oujda, Nador, Saïdia, Berkane, Figuig | ||
Oriental (French: L'Oriental, Arabic: الشرق, Ash-Sharq; Berber: ⵜⴰⴳⵎⵓⴹⴰⵏⵜ, Tagmuḍant) is one of the twelve regions of Morocco, located in the eastern part of the country. It covers an area of 90,127 km² and has a population of 2,314,346 (2014 census).
Contents
Map of Oriental, Morocco
The capital and the largest city is Oujda, and the second largest city is Nador. The region includes 7 provinces and one prefecture. Mohamed Mhidia became wali (governor) of the region in 2015.
The great majority of the population of Oriental speak Arabic (86.2%). A substantial minority speak the Berber language Tarifit (38.4%), which is predominantly used in the northern Rif area. Small numbers speak Eastern Middle Atlas Tamazight and Figuig Tamazight, principally in the south of Oriental.
Etymology
The English name Oriental is derived from the French term L'Oriental (for "the east") and comes directly from the Latin orientalis, "of the east", being that the region is located in the east of Morocco. The Arabic name Ash-Sharq also means "the east", as does the Berber name Tagmuḍant (from agmuḍan).
Geography
Oriental is situated in the eastern part of the country, with a northern coastline on the Mediterranean Sea. The regions of Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate, Fès-Boulemane and Meknès-Tafilalet lie to its west, with the Algerian provinces of Tlemcen and Naâma to its east and Béchar to the south. Melilla, a Spanish autonomous city, also borders the region. In 2015, Oriental was expanded to include Guercif Province.
The region is made up into the following prefectures and provinces: