Taliouine

Taliouine ( phonetically: Talīwīn; تليوين Arabic ) is a city in the province of Taroudant in the Souss -Massa- Daraâ region in Morocco.

Location

Taliouine lies at an altitude of about 1030 m above sea level. inst about halfway between Agadir and Ouarzazate in the west to the east of the important N10 road. Moreover ends or starts here the R106, which leads through the Anti Atlas on Igherm and Aït Abdallah until shortly before Tafraoute. The small town is nestled close to the south of the High Atlas in the eastern foothills of the Souss valley. The surrounding area is characterized by a dry, desert-like boulders rolling hills that up to 1600 m altitude reached in section 1200.

Population

In 2004, about 5,840 people lived in Taliouine. For 2012, it was expected to increase to approximately 7,000 people. The population consists mainly of Berbers, who have left their home villages because of the prolonged drought and - have settled in the cities - in the hope of finding work.

Economy

Livelihood of the population was for centuries the oases; it dominated the principle of self-sufficiency, which was gradually abandoned because of the improvement of transport during and after the French colonial rule. Added to this were the greatly reduced or failing in sometimes even completely rain since the 1970s, which made cultivation of the small fields only partially possible; many of the previously cultivated arable land have been abandoned altogether. A portion of the male population migrated to the cities of the north, to earn money as a day laborer or small business owner some money. Nowadays, the main source of income for the residents Taliouines of tourism, especially by travelers in transit, where it multiplies are also walking holidays in the surrounding area. Far beyond their limits but the city is known for the production of saffron; the annual production is - depending on weather conditions - 1000-3000 kilograms of precious spice. Since 2007, every year in late autumn a multi-day Saffron Festival.

Attractions

The site offers no significant attractions - interesting is only partially lying in ruins El Glaoui Kasbah from the early 20th century. In early spring ( February / March) short walks worth through the oasis fields, or more extensive hikes in the surrounding mountains.

Environment

Taliouine is a good starting point for excursions in the area of Jebel Sirwa (also Jebel Siroua ), where open up many possibilities for hiking, especially in spring (February to April). The Felsenagadire of Tizgui are among the most original buildings of its kind