town, central Morocco. It is situated among the foothills of the Middle Atlas (Moyen Atlas) mountains. The Kasba bel-Kush, at the town entrance, was built in the 17th century and restored in the 19th. Beni Mellal overlooks the Beni Amir plain and is the chief market for the products of the irrigated Tadla plain, including livestock and such fruits as oranges, olives, and figs. The Bin el-Ouidane dam and reservoir are located 36 miles (58 km) southwest of the town. Beni Mellal is connected by road with Fès, Marrakech, and Casablanca. Pop. (2004) 163,286.