Oujda

There is some evidence of a settlement during the Roman occupation, which seems to have been under the control of Berbers rather than Romans. The city was founded in 994 by Ziri ibn Atiyya, Berber chief of the Zenata Maghrawa tribe. Ziri was, with his tribe, authorized to occupy the region of Fas, but feeling insecure in that region and that town, and wishing to be nearer to the central Maghrib homeland of his tribe, he moved to Oujda, installed there a garrison and his possessions, appointing one of his relatives as governor. In the mid-11th century, a new quarter with a wall was allegedly added to the primitive core. Yusuf ibn Tashfin occupied the city in 1079, and in the next century, it came under Almohad control, with its fortifications repaired and strengthened under the Almohad caliph Muhammad al-Nasir. …

The city is located 60 km (37 mi) south of the Mediterranean sea and 15 km (9 mi) west of Algeria, with an estimated altitude of 450 metres (1,476 feet). 5 km (3 mi) south from city centre, is Jbel Hamra, a typical Mediterranean forest and into the east of this forest is Sidi Maafa park. Oujda is located in the south of Beni Znassen mountains. The city has a cold semi-arid climate bordering on hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk bordering on BSh). Rainfall is between 300 mm (11.8 in) and 500 mm (19.7 in) per year. It rarely snows in winter; last snowfall was on 7 January 2026. Weather in Oujda is cool but still tepid and wet in winter, hot and dry in summer.

The main characteristic of the city is having the old city in the centre. The old city maintains traditional features of the Moroccan architecture with its narrow, winding alleys which lead to the houses and markets such as the jewelry market and the leather market. The Grand Mosque of Oujda is one of its historically most important mosques. Bled el Gaada is a Roman era ruins just outside of Ouijda. The ruins consist of a Roman fort measuring 175 by 210 metres (574 by 689 ft).

Oujda has a strategic importance because of its location on the border. There are many economic and natural resources, however, the city struggles historically with an unemployment rate higher than the national average, standing on average at 20% compared to the 10.3% national average. Oujda relies heavily on trading given its location near the borders of Algeria. The economy of the city is directly related to the border's condition as it represents a passage for businesses directed towards Fes in the west, Talmasan in the east, Figuig in the south and Melilla in the north. On 18 March 2003, King Mohammed VI indicated the importance of reviving the economy of the Eastern regions of Morocco. As a result of this effort, Technopole Oujda was established and the region witnessed road improvement, airport expansion and other projects.

Tourists aiming at Saïdia, bordering the Mediterranean, transit to Oujda's airport. The city is served by Angads Airport, which has connecting international flights to Lisbon, Brussels, Madrid, Marseille or Paris for example, as well as domestic flights to Casablanca. The city is the endpoint of the main railroad from Casablanca via Fes and Taourirt before the border with Algeria. There are several day and night trains to and from the city, linking it to the western part of the country. The Oriental Desert Express was originally built in the 1920s and 1930s as part of the Mediterranean–Niger Railway. One of its cars, the historical "prince's wagon" passenger car runs now twice annually. Outside camera shots of the Oriental Desert Express were featured in the 2015 James Bond film Spectre.

Hafid Bouazza – Writer Hamid Bouchnak – Moroccan raï singer and songwriter Nathalie Delon – Actress and director Douzi – Singer and songwriter Les Freres Megri – Rock band very popular in the Arab world, composers and producers. Philippe Faucon – Filmmaker Fouad Laroui – Writer and economist Michel Qissi – Actor Mimoun El Oujdi – Raï singer Younes Megri – Actor, singer author of 'Leli Touil' sung by Maria de Rossi & Boney M. Abdelkrim Derkaoui – Cinematographer, film director and screenwriter Bassouar Al Maghnaoui – Singer Simon Basinger – Musicologist, essayist, producer and author. …