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Youssoufia
ℹ️Practical info — Youssoufia
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- It's primarily an industrial and phosphate mining town, so it's more off the beaten tourist path. People here are very welcoming but English is rarely spoken; learn a few French or Arabic phrases.
- Transport options out of town are mostly grand taxis or buses connecting to Safi or Marrakech.
- Dress conservatively as this is a traditional, working-class city.
- Summer can be very hot and dusty, ensure your accommodation has air conditioning.
🍽 Food
Try the grilled meat skewers (brochettes) from vendors near the main bus station.
A hearty traditional dish served in local family-style eateries in the center.
At the breakfast cafes around the central square.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
For fresh vegetables, fruits, and everyday goods.
For traditional Moroccan sweets and bread.
A modest central park providing shade and a place to rest.
Calm open plains, though mostly industrial landscapes.
Water temperature…
Youssoufia is located in central Morocco, approximately 80 kilometers east of Safi, and stands as one of the country's preeminent industrial cities. Its establishment and rapid expansion are intrinsically linked to the discovery and extraction of vast phosphate deposits. Founded in 1931 under the name Louis Gentil, named after the French geologist who surveyed the area, it was later renamed Youssoufia in honor of Sultan Moulay Youssef. Geographically, it sits on the Gantour Plateau, home to some of the richest phosphate reserves on the planet. The state-owned OCP Group (Office Chérifien des Phosphates) serves as the economic backbone of the city, operating massive open-pit mines and processing facilities. Beyond mining, the surrounding plains are utilized for large-scale agriculture, primarily focusing on cereals and pulses. The town's layout reflects its mining heritage, with distinct residential zones and administrative buildings designed for industrial laborers during the colonial period. Youssoufia is also a critical rail link, facilitating the transport of raw phosphates to the processing and export hubs of Safi and Casablanca. Recent efforts have focused on urban renewal and the integration of sustainable practices within the industrial sector.
- Location: Morocco
- Top sights: Youssoufia, Morocco · Youssoufia Province
- Nearby: Sidi Bennour (45 km)
- Population: ~73.848 (2024)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Oct.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 12 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 14 |
| Rain mm | 42 | 40 | 44 | 30 | 20 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 25 | 36 | 84 | 49 |
Geography
Facts
- Youssoufia was officially established as a mining town in 1931.
- It was originally named Louis Gentil before the end of the French Protectorate.
- The city manages the extraction from the world-class Gantour phosphate basin.
- A dedicated railway line connects Youssoufia to the Atlantic port of Safi.
- The Jebel Irhoud archaeological site, 50km away, yielded 300,000-year-old human fossils.
- The local economy is almost entirely dependent on the phosphate industry (OCP).
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Youssoufia (2)
Frequently asked questions
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