IFRANE CITY

             Ifrane in Arabic: إفران is a city and urban commune of Morocco, with 30,000 inhabitants and located in the Middle Atlas at 1,713 meters above sea level. It is the capital of the province of Ifrane in the administrative region of Meknes. There are a thousand and one ways to discover Ifrane. The province of Ifrane, nicknamed Little Switzerland, has enormous tourist potential: varieties and diversities of lake and river landscapes as well as a milder climate. Its natural riches make it a favorite tourist center for hiking, boar hunting and its lakes are essential for fishing. Ifrane National Park is home to the largest cedar forest in the world. The human presence in the region dates back to the Neolithic as evidenced by caves such as those of Tizguite as well as archaeological remains dating back to Prehistory 50,000 years ago. the discovery of Aerial culture camps characteristic of the Paleolithic of the Maghreb by the group of researchers from the Institute of Archaeological Sciences and Heritage in Michlifen near Azrou in Ain Leuh ifri cave Ouberid, Zerouka, Ghabt, Al Bahr and Itto and El Hajeb and also the remains found bones and objects.

Ifrane is characterized by its European urban planning. Located in the mountains of the Middle Atlas, whose area is 3,573 km² and which is administratively composed of two municipalities Ifrane and Azrou, five caïdats Tizguit, Dait Aoua, Ain Leuh, Timahdit and Irklaouen, eight rural communes Tizguite, Dait Aoua, Ain Leuh, Sidi El Mekhfi or Sidi Addi, Timahdite, Ben Smim, Oued Ifrane and Tigrigra. According to the new administrative division, the province is part of the Fès-Meknès region. It is an oasis of superb freshness and greenery: lakes, fountains, the scenery is total, surprising and regenerating for lovers of the landscape. You feel the freshness upon arrival at Ifrane. Springs and lakes abound in this region in the heart of a cedar forest. The chalets with the sloping roof also surprisingly evoke Switzerland.

In Amazigh ifran means hiding places or caves, the region is indeed known for its natural caves dug within the Jurassic carbonate layer within the type of go-karts and which be the regions of El Hajeb and Sefrou. they're those who gave their name to town. Out of ignorance, Ifrane has been related to the name of Ufrane, when the latter designates a city located within the Moroccan Anti-Atlas. Historically the old name of Ifrane is Tourtite Turtit which in Amazigh means garden. the event of Ifrane and its region owes plenty to natural potential, especially cedar, since the amount of the protectorate of Morocco.

Ifrane will later be inhabited by a population from the two large Amazigh tribes speaking Tamazight in Morocco, Aït M'guild and Aït M'tir and part of Aït Seghrouchen, nomadic tribes which move between the green pastures of Timahdite and Azrou until 'on the borders of the Zayanes country. Given its geographical location comparable to the landscapes of Europe, the creation of Ifrane was the work of the secretary general of the protectorate in Morocco Eirik Labonne in 1928. Three dates to remember: Summering center for French settlers: viziriel decree of September 16, 1929. Then municipality: January 14, 1947. Finally province. The choice of settlers falls within three frameworks: Control of natural resources. Compensate for the change of scenery of the French community established in Morocco by the Ifrane site with a summer vocation: Maurice de Gandillac is witness to this. The garrison of Timahdite constitutes a strategic military asset which serves as a link between Taza and Tadla whose aim is to facilitate military interventions and to identify the Amazigh tribes hostile to the colonial presence, in particular the Zayane tribe under the leadership of Mouha or Hammou Zayani, Mouha or Said d'Elkssiba and other insurrectionary centers in the Middle and High Atlas reputed for their hostility towards the Iroumines (Christians) and their quality of warriors nourished by their attachment to the land, especially after the defeat of France on November 13, 1914 in Khénifra in the battle of Elhri. The Al Akhawayn University of Ifrane was founded by royal decree in 1993 and officially inaugurated by King Hassan II of Morocco on January 16, 1995. It is currently the only Moroccan university following an American education system and having more 40% of international staff.



The Ifrane region constitutes a geographic area rich in its fauna and flora biodiversity, but its Sites of biological and ecological interest and its national park are under strong pressure due to the degradation of the overgrazed forest and unsophisticated visitors qualified as polluters potential.