Oum Er-Rbia River

Headwaters of the Oum er - Rbia northeast of Khenifra

The Oued Oum er - Rbia (Arabic: أم الربيع ) is - despite strong variations - together with the Oued Sebou the longest and largest river in Morocco.

Etymology

Oum er - Rbia is commonly translated as "Mother of the Spring", although this requires that the name is of Arabic origin. More likely is a derivation from the Berber language Tamazight; then the name would be with " river with many sources " translate roughly.

Geography

The 560 km long and relatively water-rich river originates in the Middle Atlas and initially runs in a south-westerly, then later in a northwesterly direction. He has several smaller tributaries ( including Oued Day, Oued Tessaout and others), is dammed several times - the largest and longest dam is the Barrage Almassira - and leads finally about 5 kilometers north of Azemmour into the Atlantic.

Economy

The Oum er - Rbia is of great importance for the drinking water supply for the population of large parts of central Morocco, as well as for irrigation of agricultural land in the Tadla and Doukkala level.

History

The history of the colonization of the Tadla- level by Berber peoples with sufficient security far back, but there is because of the non-literate culture of the Berber no written evidence. Under Arab influence, and later under the colonial rule of the French, the cultivation and irrigation methods were intensified.

Attractions

A single arch bridge with two smaller arches on the accompanying Oum er - Rbia in Khenifra is called Pont Portugais - whether it was actually built by the Portuguese, however, is questionable; definitely are European influences evident, since neither Arab nor Berber have built arched bridges in Morocco. A mehrbogiger Pont Portugais crossed the river in Kasba Tadla. About 50 miles off the mouth of the river, above the town of Boulaouane, there is a built in the 18th century under Moulay Ismail imposing mountain fortress ( kasbah ).

Tourism

Although the upper reaches of the Oum er - Rbia in spring ( March to May) for white water trips in canoes or rafts is appropriate, the river has hardly tourist importance.