Les Montagnes Des Bnisnassen (Oriental Marocain). Mountains and Quba …

The mountains of Béni Snassen, or Aït Iznassen en Berber, constitute a small limestone chain located in the Tellian region of Eastern Morocco. This region takes its name from a Zénète tribal confederation, the Beni Snassen, which has been established there for centuries. This mountain range, close to the Mediterranean, offers remarkable natural and cultural wealth. 1. Geography and environment The massif of Béni Snassen is a unique and dissymmetrical fold of dolomitic limestone. It is between the Algerian border to the east and the eastern rifan ending to the west, with the plains and mountains of the lower basin of Moulouya. The average altitudes is between 900 and 1000 meters, with culminating points like Ras Foughal (1535 m) and the Jebel Bouzabel (1435 m). Close to the Mediterranean, the Bena Snassen are bioclimaticly a Mediterranean Mountain. The region is characterized by the diversity of its natural landscapes, with green valleys, circuses and rocky ridges. The Béni Snassen Natural Park, 55 kilometers from Oujda, is a haven for fauna, including cuffluns, and a paradise for nature lovers. 1. Geography, geology and environment The massif of Béni Snassen is a unique and dissymmetrical fold of dolomitic limestone. It is between the Algerian border to the east and the eastern rifan ending to the west, with the plains and mountains of the lower basin of Moulouya. The average altitudes is between 900 and 1000 meters, with culminating points like Ras Foughal (1535 m) and the Jebel Bouzabel (1435 m). Apart from these two peaks, the crests, mostly limestone, culminate at fairly homogeneous altitudes, around 1000 meters. Geology: The nucleus of the massif consists of primary shales, surmounted by layers of dolomitic limestone. The Blessed Snassen mountain is divided into three large distinct geographic and structural units, each with its own topographic and lithological characteristics. Hydrogeological studies have also been carried out, stressing the importance of groundwater resources in this region. Bioclimat and landscapes: close to the Mediterranean, Bena Snassen are bioclimaticly a mediterranean middle mountain. The region is characterized by the diversity of its natural landscapes, with green valleys, circuses (concave areas surrounded by cliffs) and rocky ridges. In the north and south of the massif, the transition to the surrounding plains and trays is made in the form of old -fashioned, old and well structured piedmonte elements. Flora and fauna: the Béni Snassen natural park, 55 kilometers from Oujda, is a real haven for biodiversity. This park is home to a variety of animal species, including cuff mouflons, which are an icon of resilience in this robust landscape. There is also a rich avifauna, with the song of the Merle, the Hpepe or Cuckoo in the spring, as well as many nightingales, pinsons and fawn in the orchards and along the torrents. The flora is typically Mediterranean, with pine forests, almonds (some savages), fig trees, grenadiers and vineyards in cultivated areas and orchards. 2. History of the region and its tribes The Blessed Snassen are a tribal confederation of mainly zero origin. According to local tradition, they have established themselves in their current region from the 7th century. Historically, the mountain served as a refuge area. The Confederation is divided into four main groups, themselves subdivided into several sub-flactions: • Beni Khaled (of which Ahfir is a chief town) • Beni Mengouch (of which Reggada is a chief town) • Beni Atiq (of which Berkane is a chief town) • Beni Ourimech (of which Tafoughalt is a chief town) Armed against the French occupation in North Africa, especially during the Battle of Isly (1844), which opposed Morocco and the Emir Abd-el-Kader. The territory of Beni Snassen is delimited by Moulouya to the west, Algeria in the East, and the Atlas to the south. In the 19th century, four essentially Arab tribes (La’thamna, Oulad Mansour, Oulad Sghir and Houaras) emigrated from Algeria and settled on their current territory. Traces of human presence dating back to prehistory, in the depths of the Paleolithic, were discovered in the massif, testifying to a very ancient occupation of these places.

Source: Channel – Full credit to the creator. Visit the channel, leave a like, and subscribe to stay updated with all the latest content!