Khouribga (Moroccan, ) is the capital of Khouribga Province in the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region, Morocco. With a population of 196,196 (2014 census), Khouribga owes its growth to the phosphate deposits nearby.

Geography

Located at 107 km from Casablanca, 154 km from the capital, Rabat, more than 200 km from the city of Marrakesh, and about 99 km from the city of Beni Mellal and 60 km from the city of Settat and 34 km from the city of Oued Zem. Khouribga is located 820 meters above sea level on the Ouardigha plateau. The city was founded in 1923 by the authorities of the French protectorate when they discovered phosphate in the region, for which Morocco is considered to be the biggest exporter in the world. There are several mines in the province, most notably the mine of Sidi Shennan near the town of Oued Zem, which lies 30 km from the village of Boulanouare (5 km) and the town of Boujniba (10 km) and the village of Hattane. The Province of Khouribga is bordered by the Province of Beni Mellal in the east, Province of Ben Slimane in the west, the Province of Settat in the south, and Khémisset Province in the north.

Climate

Khouribga has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csa). In winter there is more rainfall than in summer. The average annual temperature in Khouribga is 17.2 °C. About 432 mm of precipitation falls annually.

Economy

Phosphate

The Province of Khouribga has a large phosphate reserve estimated 35 to 40 billion cubic meters, which has been mined since 1920s and is ranked first at the international level. Also Khouribga is one of the cities that brings hard currency and that is due to its community residents from Italy. The phosphate mines in the Ouled Abdoun Basin are notable source of fossils, especially Mosasaur and Sharks jaws and teeth.

Industrial activities

In addition to phosphate mining, the province knew the emergence of other industries in economic sectors such as:

Industrial areas

The province has three Industrial zones:

Services

The province has several services, among them:

Agriculture

The agricultural lands is divided into 50% arable land, 20% forests, 30% unused land. Livestock is the most important source of income for the rural population, the herd is estimated to be:

Handicrafts

The handicrafts sector represents a sizable part of the local economy with 9 cooperatives (260 members), and a handicrafts association.

Health

The facilities cover most of the province with:

Twin towns – sister cities

Khouribga is twinned with:

Notable people