Ait Ourir

The city lies on the northern bank of the Zat river, 29.8 kilometres (18.5 mi) by road to the northwest of Tighedouine and 33.3 kilometres (20.7 mi) east of the city centre of Marrakesh. It is the biggest city of Al Haouz Province. The city, described by Footprint Travel Guides as "rather undistinguished", contains a number of important buildings, a hospital, cemetery and several schools such as College Moulay Rachid and Ecole Riyad. The souk of Ait Ourir is of importance to trade in Al Haouz province, with a large market trading agricultural produce, camels, sheep and other items here. A shop at the souk sells tagines cooked over kanounes (cauldrons). Glaoui appears to be an ancient village in the area to the southeast of the city which has effectively become a suburb which contains a kasbah and a mosque. To the southeast is the Ait Ourir Forest. Quartz is mined within the municipality.