Middle Atlas
| Middle Atlas | |
|---|---|
 The entire Atlas Mountains topographically and politically |
|
 Landscape in the province of Khénifra |
|
| Highest peak | Jbel Bou Naceur ( 3356 m ) |
| location | Morocco |
| part of | Atlas Mountains |
| Coordinates | 33 ° 34 ′ N , 3 ° 53 ′ W |
| Age of the rock | Triassic , Jurassic |
| surface | 23,000 km² |
The Middle Atlas ( Arabic الأطلس المتوسط, DMG al-Aṭlas al-mutawassiṭ , Zentralatlas-Tamazight ⴰⵟⵍⴰⵙ ⴰⵏⴰⵎⵎⴰⵙ ) is a mountain range of almost 500 kilometers in Morocco belonging to the Atlas Mountains in North Africa . The highest peak ( Jbel Bou Naceur ) reaches 3356 m .
geography
To the north of the Middle Atlas lies the Rif Mountains , while south of the High Atlas borders. In the west, fertile field landscapes and the main settlement area of Morocco extend to the coast of the Atlantic Ocean . To the east lie the Schotts highlands and the Tellatlas mountain range, from which it is separated by the Oued Moulouya .
population
The Middle Atlas is predominantly inhabited by Berbers , especially its northwestern foothills are densely populated - the cities of Beni Mellal , Kasba Tadla , Khénifra , Azrou , Ifrane , Fès and Taza are in its immediate area of influence. There are no major cities in the mountain range itself; the small town of Boumia and the town of Midelt lie between the two great Atlas chains.
Infrastructure and economy
The most important places in the Middle Atlas can be reached via paved roads; in remote regions there are still slopes. One of the main connecting routes between northern and southern Morocco, i.e. H. between Fès and Errachidia leads over the Middle Atlas ( Col du Zad 2178 m ). The Middle Atlas is still predominantly agriculturally oriented, whereby the mostly bare plateaus are only of interest to the herds of nomads or transhumants . In the Midelt area there are lead and silver mines as well as rich mineral deposits.
history
Up until the end of the Middle Ages, the Middle Atlas was mainly used as a passage for camel and donkey caravans from southern Morocco (e.g. Sijilmassa ) and as a summer pasture for cattle nomads and transhumants from the neighboring regions. The process of settling down began only very gradually , although there were hardly any larger cities until the 20th century; these only developed during the French protectorate period (1912–1956) and intensified in the second half of the 20th century.
Flora and fauna
The characteristic, but now rare, tree on the northwest slopes of the Middle Atlas is the Atlas cedar ; efforts have been made to reforest them since the 1980s; next to it there are other conifers. Deciduous trees (poplars, birches, etc.) as well as various fruit trees (apples, plums, etc.) were mostly brought here by the French colonial rulers . The densely wooded and sparsely populated heights of the Middle Atlas are retreats for various bird species and for Barbary macaques .
Attractions
The Middle Atlas offers neither scenic nor cultural highlights. Various remote and mostly winding mountain roads (e.g. east of Kasba Tadla , near Azrou or south of Taza ) lead through wooded areas that are otherwise rare in Morocco.
tourism
The Middle Atlas is popular with wealthier Moroccans because of its cool temperatures in the summer months. There is a small winter sports area with a ski lift at Jbel Mischliffen .