town, north-central Morocco. The town, a local market centre, is situated 12 miles (20 km) inland from the Atlantic Ocean between the cities of Rabat and Casablanca. It lies at an elevation of roughly 1,000 feet (300 metres) above sea level, at the edge of the Ziada cork oak forest.

The town is situated in a region of low plateaus and valleys that is intensely cultivated near the ocean; cereals (mostly wheat), citrus fruits, and grapes are grown. Farther inland, forests of cork oak, Aleppo pine, eucalyptus, and mimosa predominate. Pop. (2004) 46,478.