Redalinho
September 10th, 2008, 07:44 PM
http://lexicorient.com/morocco/maps/midelt.gif
Midelt is a market town and former French administrative post in central Morocco. With an estimated population of 44,000, Midelt serves as the commercial center of a large agricultural hinterland. It is also one of Morocco's principal cities for the mining of several minerals.
History
Midelt grew in the first half of the 20th century around a French administrative post by the same name. Previously, villages and ksour had dotted the fertile surroundings. The French established their post to facilitate the mining of lead, gypsum, other minerals, and fossils in the nearby Ahouli and Mibladen mines and elsewhere. The development of these mines led to the construction of a railroad from Midelt to the Mediterranean coast and the electrification of Midelt in 1930. In Morocco, only Casablanca received electricity earlier.
After Moroccan independence in 1956, control reverted to the Moroccan government, which occupied the European-style buildings of the former French quarter. Midelt no longer has a regional administrative function; its province is seated in Khenifra and its wilayah in Meknes.
People
Midelt is a largely Berber (Amazigh) city with a sizable minority who identify themselves as Arabs. Berber residents speak the Middle Atlas language Tamazight as well as the Moroccan Arabic dialect, known as Darija. A typical resident will speak Tamazight at home but Darija in public. Educated residents also speak Modern Standard Arabic (Fus'ha) and French, which are used throughout Morocco in mass media, education, and government.
Because Midelt is a new city, almost all Mideltis can trace their roots either to one of the nearby villages or to elsewhere in Morocco. The city also lacks the sharply defined neighborhood divisions and traditional souqs of older Moroccan cities.
Very few non-natives live in Midelt. Of these, the longest established are a community of Franciscan nuns and monks living at the Convent of Our Lady of the Atlas in a nearby village. The nuns work with local women and girls to develop handcrafts and teach hygiene, French language, and other skills.
Midelt is a market town and former French administrative post in central Morocco. With an estimated population of 44,000, Midelt serves as the commercial center of a large agricultural hinterland. It is also one of Morocco's principal cities for the mining of several minerals.
History
Midelt grew in the first half of the 20th century around a French administrative post by the same name. Previously, villages and ksour had dotted the fertile surroundings. The French established their post to facilitate the mining of lead, gypsum, other minerals, and fossils in the nearby Ahouli and Mibladen mines and elsewhere. The development of these mines led to the construction of a railroad from Midelt to the Mediterranean coast and the electrification of Midelt in 1930. In Morocco, only Casablanca received electricity earlier.
After Moroccan independence in 1956, control reverted to the Moroccan government, which occupied the European-style buildings of the former French quarter. Midelt no longer has a regional administrative function; its province is seated in Khenifra and its wilayah in Meknes.
People
Midelt is a largely Berber (Amazigh) city with a sizable minority who identify themselves as Arabs. Berber residents speak the Middle Atlas language Tamazight as well as the Moroccan Arabic dialect, known as Darija. A typical resident will speak Tamazight at home but Darija in public. Educated residents also speak Modern Standard Arabic (Fus'ha) and French, which are used throughout Morocco in mass media, education, and government.
Because Midelt is a new city, almost all Mideltis can trace their roots either to one of the nearby villages or to elsewhere in Morocco. The city also lacks the sharply defined neighborhood divisions and traditional souqs of older Moroccan cities.
Very few non-natives live in Midelt. Of these, the longest established are a community of Franciscan nuns and monks living at the Convent of Our Lady of the Atlas in a nearby village. The nuns work with local women and girls to develop handcrafts and teach hygiene, French language, and other skills.