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 / 32.2430056; -7.9595944 | |
| Country | Morocco |
| Region | Marrakesh-Safi |
| Province | Rehamna |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | ouardi abdellatif |
| 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.23
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 8 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.9
In recent years, OCP has spearheaded efforts to develop Ben Guerir into a model green city, integrating sustainable urban planning and environmental practices.10
Military
Ben Guerir hosts the Ben Guerir Air Base, which has strategic importance and contributes to the city’s military character.3
References
References
- "Ben Guerir (Urban Commune, Morocco) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- "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.
- "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.
- "UNESCO Global Network of Learning cities - Benguerir, Morocco". UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning. 2020 [2020].
- "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.