Kenitra the capital of Gharb - Chrarda - Beni Hssen region

Kenitra is founded in 1912 by the French, and being called Port-Lyautey. Situated between two of Morocco’s main regions, Sale-zemmour-Zaer(Rabat) and Tangier-Tetouan, Gharb-Chrarda-beni Hssen region covers 8,805 km² and is divided into two provinces, Kenitra and Sidi Kacem. It is 30 kms far from Rabat. It has a population of 1,859,540, about 6% of the total Moroccan population. The urbanization movement is concentrated in the Kenitra province, where its rate is expected to reach 54%, exceeding by far the national rate. The climate is mild and humid during winter and hot and dry.

The city is located in the center of a rich agricultural area, the Gharb plain. From there can be visited the biological reserve of the lake Sidi Boughaba sheltering many species of migratory birds, as well as the forest of Mamora. The small seaside resort of Mehdia Plage is only 12 kms far from the city.

Mehdia shelters a small fishing port, and the station of Mehdia-beach, with its long fair sand beaches, offers appreciated spots for surfing. On the mouth of the river is located the kasbah of Mehdia, built in 1185 by Yacoub el Mansour.

Employing half of the population, agriculture is one of the most active sectors in the region. The useful agricultural lands cover an area of 893,860 ha, 68% of which is arable, representing 7% of the national useful land. With 130,000 ha irrigated, the region is considered one of the most irrigated in the kingdom. The region’s livestock is mainly composed of 343,610 head of cattle and 1 million head of sheep, 7% of the national livestock.

This industry sector is dominated by the food industry, which plays a prominent role in the region’s economy. Currently, 15 of the region’s industrial units are working mainly on transformation.

As well as a 140 km long coast and such beautiful beaches as Mehdia and Bikmeur, the region contains a number of tourist assets: a forest of 125,800 ha, wetlands (Merja Zerqa and Sidi Boughaba), Roman monuments, etc conditioning.

Accomodation for students will be in "Centre de formation de croissant rouge marocain - Mehdia"