Foum Zguid
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| Basic data | |||||
| State : |
 Morocco
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| Region : | Souss-Massa | ||||
| Province : | Tata | ||||
| Coordinates | 30 ° 5 ′ N , 6 ° 52 ′ W | ||||
| Residents : | 8,986 (2014) | ||||
| Height : | 650 m | ||||
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Foum Zguid ( Arabic فم زكيد, Taschelhit ⵉⵎⵉ ⵥⴰⴳⴳⵉⴷ ) is an oasis town with around 9,000 inhabitants in the province of Tata in the Souss-Massa region in southern Morocco .
location
The small town of Foum Zguid, which is only about high up, is located on the edge of the 1500 m high mountain peaks of the southern foothills of the Anti-Atlas Mountains, about 137 km (driving distance) east of Tata on the N12. To Tazenakht or Ouarzazate it is about 85 km and 175 km to the north. The climate is desert-like; Rain (approx. 105 mm / year) only falls - if at all - in the winter months.
population
| year | 1994 | 2004 | 2014 |
| Residents | 9,903 | 9,630 | 8,986 |
The population of Foum Zguid consists almost exclusively of members of various Berber tribes from the area. Most of them have migrated to the cities since the 1970s because of the lack of rain in their home villages, but also for socio-cultural reasons (hope for work, improvement in material living conditions and health care, better opportunities for schooling for their children, etc.).
economy
In earlier centuries self-sufficiency was at the center of economic activity. Only after the completion of a piste from Guelmim via Akka to Tata and on to Ouarzazate during the French colonial period could the food produced in the date palm oasis be sold on regional or national markets. At the same time, new vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, etc.) came into the area and enriched the menu. Even today, the oasis economy dominates the life of most of the residents; Dates, olives, pomegranates and figs are primarily produced, but it is also possible to grow cereals (barley, wheat, corn) and vegetables (broad beans, carrots, tomatoes, etc.). In addition to agriculture, a number of small businesses have developed in the craft, business and service sectors.
history
As with all Berber villages, there is no written record of the history of Foum Zguid. However, it can be assumed that the palm oasis was discovered by early hunters and gatherers and that a few centuries later it was permanently settled by nomads. However, the cattle (sheep, goats, chickens) could no longer roam freely, but had to be kept in pens or stables, which significantly reduced the population. In the phase of settling down , recurring and often fatal conflicts between the oasis inhabitants and roaming cattle nomads were not uncommon.
Attractions
In Foum Zguid there are no sights of historical or cultural importance. Some of the new houses in the town center, painted in ocher tones, have arcade porches on the ground floor to protect them from the sun. The Ksar , the closely built-up old town area, is noticeably falling into disrepair and is only inhabited by a few people.
tourism
Foum Zguid is the starting point of the piste for all-wheel-drive tours to Lac Iriki and further over Erg Chegaga to Mhamid and Zagora . For this reason, a certain tourism infrastructure with several simple hotels and souvenir shops has developed. The city also has a petrol station, post office, ATM, restaurants, hotels and a campsite.
Web links
- Foum Zguid, entrance to the village - photo
- Foum Zguid, street-photo
- Foum Zguid to Zagora - travel report + photos
- Foum Zguid - Photos
- Landscape at Foum Zguid - photo