Gharb (Morocco)

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Gharb, also called Rharb, means “west” in Arabic. It is a large plain in northern Morocco, about 6,000 square kilometers in area. It lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the hills of the pre-Rif, east of the Atlantic coast and near Rabat and Meknes. It is a flat, fertile region that has long been important for farming.

History in brief:
- The area was first inhabited by Berber tribes and may have been part of the Barghawata Confederacy.
- During later dynasties, notably the Almoravids and Almohads, the population changed as Arab groups were brought into the region.
- The Almohad ruler Yaqub al-Mansur settled Arab Riyah (from Banu Hilal) in the Gharb, and Arab tribes have largely dominated the area since. These groups served as military communities for the Moroccan rulers and were mostly nomadic until the French protectorate era, when the Gharb became a prosperous agricultural zone.

Azghar and descriptions from the past:
The region was historically known as Azghar. The 16th‑century traveler Leo Africanus described Azghar as a long, fertile plain bordered by the sea to the north, the Bou Regreg river to the west, mountains to the east, and the Bou Nasr river to the south, with the Sebou River running through it. He noted many towns and fields, but after ancient wars, towns were ruined and only a few places remained inhabited. He said the land produced food, livestock, and horses for Fez and the surrounding mountains, and that the king stayed there in winter and spring because the land was healthy and full of game.

Today:
The Gharb is still largely inhabited by Arab-origin communities and remains an important agricultural region of Morocco.