Scientific Field Trip — Lower Drâa & Tata Oases
<p>The <strong>National Association of Moroccan Rural Geographers</strong> is organizing a five-day <strong>scientific field trip</strong> to the pre-Saharan territorial unit and the southern slopes of the Anti-Atlas (Lower Drâa Valley / Tata oases), from <strong>6 to 10 May 2026</strong>, in partnership with the municipalities of <strong>Foum Zguid</strong> and <strong>Foum El Hisn</strong>.</p><h3>Tata Province — overview</h3><p><em>Prepared by Mohammed Nabou and Brahim Ouaddi</em></p><p>Border province established in 1977, part of the Souss-Massa region, covering 25 925 km² (≈ 48.19% of regional territory). Population: 111 757 (2024 census), in continuous decline. Distributed across 20 municipalities (4 urban: Foum El Hisn, Akka, Foum Zguid, Tata; 16 rural).</p><p>The province belongs to the Lower Drâa basin, extending from the southeastern Anti-Atlas to the Algerian border. Arid climate: high summer temperatures, low irregular rainfall, evaporation exceeding 2 500 mm/year. These conditions shape water scarcity, seasonal flows and limited groundwater recharge.</p><p>Despite these constraints, the province features remarkable landscape and ecological richness: Saharan acacia, tamarisk, juniper, argan; protected areas (Aït M'Ribet reserve, Tissint, part of Iriqui National Park).</p><h3>Oasis system</h3><p>Around <strong>200 oases</strong> — plain, mountain, desert — with rich hydro-agricultural heritage and the distinctive "afmam" oases. Outstanding cultural heritage including prehistoric rock engravings.</p><h3>Main route stages</h3><ul><li><strong>Tamanart oases</strong> — 16 oases at 300-1 200 m, 4 999 inhabitants</li><li><strong>Foum El Hisn oases</strong> — 5 main oases at 600-800 m, 5 908 inhabitants</li><li><strong>Akka oases</strong> — 4 oases at 550 m, 5 575 inhabitants — famous for rock engravings</li><li><strong>Sidi Abdellah Ben Mbarek oases</strong> — rich historical heritage</li><li><strong>Tissint oases</strong> — 8 oases at 400-500 m, 8 797 inhabitants — waterfalls, medicinal plants</li><li><strong>Foum Zguid oases</strong> — modern commercial agriculture</li><li><strong>Tlit oases</strong> — 7 mountain oases at 800-1 000 m, 4 166 inhabitants</li></ul>
