It flourished after independence.. Ifrane, “the Switzerland of Morocco”... is the first tourist destination during the winter
A Moroccan city nicknamed the Jewel of the Middle Atlas/Shutterstock
Ifrane, a city that is unlike any other city in Morocco . The city of Ifrane is located at an altitude of 6,000 feet above sea level. This city, built on a small hill, makes you feel as if you are in the Swiss Alps, due to its elegant red-roofed houses, colorful flower orchards, and lakes. In addition to snow during the winter.
This combination gave the European-style city the title of the Switzerland of Morocco, as it is decorated in the spring season with greenery and the beauty of cedar trees spread throughout most of its areas. It is also considered among the most touristic Moroccan cities during the winter.
Switzerland of Morocco.. Designed by the French occupation for recreation
Ifrane, the Moroccan city located within the peaks of the Middle Atlas Mountains in central Morocco, according to the “ amusingplanet ” website, the city was built in the 1930s during the years of the French occupation of Morocco. What attracted the occupation to this region was the cool climate during the summer, unlike the rest of the hot and dry Moroccan cities.
Ifrane is located close to the cities of Fez and Meknes, which are famous for their hot climate during the summer and cold during the winter.
Temperatures in Ifrane drop below zero during the winter. Snow covers the foot of the surrounding mountains, and the city of Ifrane is considered to have the lowest average temperature on the continent of Africa. It reached 24 degrees below zero.
Due to its location at the top of the mountain, the French occupation used the city of Ifrane as a “hill station”, where colonial families spent the summer months. The concept of “hill stations” was first developed by the British in India, the best known example of which is Shimla in the Himalayas, which It served as the summer capital.
Ifranes were intended for expatriate European families, and were often designed in a European style to remind foreign residents of their distant homelands, especially since the trees and flowering plants were imported from their home country.
In 1932, the urban district of the city of Ifrane was determined, and it focused on determining the basic urban principles and major spatial and urban directives. In 1933, the city witnessed the development of the first development design, followed by a second in 1947 to cover the needs in the urban spatial organization, which began to expand year after year with the increasing number of residents. In which.
The city of Ifrane between occupation and independence
After Morocco's independence, a new era began for the city. Mosques were built, and the city received special patronage from Moroccan King Hassan II, who was keen to follow its affairs personally and directly. He used to reside there a lot, and hold national and international meetings there.
The city became the capital of the Meknes region in 1979, and this interest resulted in the expansion of the city in terms of population, as its population increased significantly, from nearly 3 thousand people in 1960 to more than 13 thousand people in 2014.
Al Akhawayn University was built on August 4, 1997. It is an institution for higher education and scientific research, located in the city of Ifrane, the bride of the Middle Atlas Mountains, 60 kilometers from the historic city of Meknes. The university was named Al Akhawayn in reference to the cooperation between the Moroccan King Hassan II and the Saudi King. Fahd bin Abdulaziz in its founding.
The city's infrastructure, especially tourism, has been strengthened. Of hotels and restaurants, which has increased the tourist attraction of the city, especially in the winter season, which witnesses the influx of large numbers of people seeking the pleasure of skiing at the Micheliven and Habri stations, located 16 km to the southeast, as well as to enjoy the views of the snow covering the city.
The number one tourist destination in Morocco in the winter
Natural factors helped the city of Ifrane to become one of the most prominent tourist destinations in Morocco. It was also called the jewel of the Middle Atlas in the tourism field, especially for lovers of quiet atmosphere, mountain tourism, and winter tourism, and for those looking for fresh and healthy air.
When you visit the city of Ifrane, you can enjoy seeing many places, in addition to enjoying nature and the quiet atmosphere in winter or the cool breeze of air during the summer. Among the most famous places in the city are:
Ifrane National Park:
According to the “ Feel Morocco ” website , the park is located in the middle of the Middle Atlas Mountains. It was established in 2004 as a national reserve on an area of approximately 54 thousand hectares, then it was extended in 2008 to 125 thousand hectares. This reserve is distinguished by its vegetation, which includes cedar trees, oaks, maritime pine, and mountain juniper trees. And other types of trees.
The park also hosts multiple species of birds and animals, especially the Barbary macaque, as the park contains about half of the remaining numbers of this endangered animal. The park is also a large water reservoir in Morocco, housing important water reservoirs such as “Dayet Aoua” and “Lake Aklamam Afanourir”, and it also supplies a number of large rivers such as the Oum Er Rbia and Sebou.
The lion of the city of Ifrane:
The lion of the city of Ifrane is considered the most famous landmark in the city and the most crowded with tourists, whether from inside or outside Morocco. It is also one of the most photographed tourist attractions in the entire region. It was carved by the French artist Henri Jean Moreau on granite stone in 1930. It measures more than one and a half meters in width. And seven meters long.
Micheliven Ski Station:
17 km from the Moroccan city of Ifrane, and at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level, there is one of the most important recreational stations in Morocco, visited by skiing and winter sports enthusiasts from various cities.
Ain Vital:
Ain Vital is only 3 kilometers away from the city of Ifrane, and is considered an ideal place for picnics with family or friends, especially in the spring. This eye attracts thousands of people from all over Morocco and the world.
Along a few hundred meters of the river, a maple forest is spread, where trips can be made on horseback, especially in the summer. In addition to these tourist sites, the visitor has the opportunity to learn about many of the Berber customs and traditions that the region abounds with. Especially in the field of traditional industry and souvenirs.
Source : websites