# Khenifra

> city in Morocco

**Wikidata**: [Q990115](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q990115)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khenifra)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/khenifra

## Summary
Khenifra is a major city in Morocco, serving as the capital of Khénifra Province within the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region. With a population exceeding 123,000 as of 2024, it is classified as a "big city" and plays a significant role as an urban and administrative center in central Morocco.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Situated in the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region of Morocco, at coordinates 32.93°N, 5.66°W, at an elevation of 860 meters above sea level.
- **Population**: 123,738 (2024 census), up from 117,510 in 2014, 72,672 in 2004, and 60,835 in 1994.
- **Administrative Role**: Capital of Khénifra Province and part of the larger Béni Mellal-Khénifra region (established in 2015).
- **Names and Aliases**: Known as خنيفرة (Arabic), ⵅⵏⵉⴼⵕⴰ (Berber), and variants like Jénifra, Kénifra, and Khénifra.
- **Geography**: Located near the Oum Er-Rbia River, a major waterway in Morocco.
- **Postal Code**: 54000.
- **UN/LOCODE**: MAKHF.
- **Historical Context**: Morocco, where Khenifra is located, has a complex history with dynasties including the Idrisid (789), Saadi (1549), and 'Alawi (1631), gaining full independence in 1956.
- **Cultural Significance**: Home to Chabab Atlas Khénifra, a Moroccan football club founded in 1943.
- **Nearby Settlements**: Includes towns like Tighza and rural communes such as Tizi N'Ghachou and Sidi Yahya Ou Youssef.
- **Households**: 34,147 households as of 2024, up from 29,281 in 2014.
- **Identifiers**: VIAF ID 147914876, GeoNames ID 2544333, and various encyclopedia entries (e.g., Encyclopædia Britannica, Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana).

## FAQs
**What is Khenifra's population?**
Khenifra's population was 123,738 in the 2024 census, reflecting steady growth from 117,510 in 2014 and 60,835 in 1994.

**Where is Khenifra located?**
Khenifra is in central Morocco, within Khénifra Province and the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region, near the Oum Er-Rbia River.

**What is the administrative role of Khenifra?**
It serves as the capital of Khénifra Province and is part of the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region, which was established in 2015.

**What are the notable features of Khenifra?**
The city is known for its elevation (860 meters), proximity to the Oum Er-Rbia River, and its role as a cultural hub, including hosting the football club Chabab Atlas Khénifra.

**How has Khenifra's population changed over time?**
The population has grown significantly, from 60,835 in 1994 to 123,738 in 2024, with corresponding increases in households (12,615 in 1994 to 34,147 in 2024).

## Why It Matters
Khenifra is a key urban center in Morocco, contributing to the administrative and cultural landscape of the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region. Its growth reflects broader demographic trends in Morocco, and its location near the Oum Er-Rbia River highlights its strategic and ecological importance. The city's role as a provincial capital and its cultural institutions, such as the football club, underscore its significance in regional development and identity.

## Notable For
- **Rapid Population Growth**: Population more than doubled from 60,835 in 1994 to 123,738 in 2024.
- **Administrative Hub**: Capital of Khénifra Province and part of the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region.
- **Cultural Landmark**: Home to Chabab Atlas Khénifra, a historic football club founded in 1943.
- **Geographical Significance**: Located at an elevation of 860 meters near the Oum Er-Rbia River.
- **Multilingual Identity**: Recognized in Arabic (خنيفرة), Berber (ⵅⵏⵉⴼⵕⴰ), and multiple other languages.

## Body
### Overview and Classification
Khenifra is classified as a "big city" in Morocco, defined by a population of at least 100,000. It is an urban commune and serves as the capital of Khénifra Province, which is part of the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region. The city is situated at coordinates 32.93°N, 5.66°W, at an elevation of 860 meters above sea level.

### Population and Demographics
Khenifra's population has shown consistent growth:
- **1994**: 60,835 (census)
- **2004**: 72,672 (census)
- **2014**: 117,510 (census)
- **2024**: 123,738 (most recent census)

Household numbers have also increased:
- **1994**: 12,615 households
- **2004**: 16,495 households
- **2014**: 29,281 households
- **2024**: 34,147 households

### Administrative and Geographical Context
Khenifra is located within the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region, which was established in 2015. The city is near the Oum Er-Rbia River, a significant waterway in Morocco. It is part of Khénifra Province, which includes nearby settlements like Tighza (a town) and rural communes such as Tizi N'Ghachou and Sidi Yahya Ou Youssef.

### Cultural and Historical Significance
The city is home to Chabab Atlas Khénifra, a Moroccan football club founded in 1943, which contributes to its cultural identity. Morocco, where Khenifra is located, has a rich history with dynasties including the Idrisid (founded 789), Saadi (1549), and 'Alawi (1631), achieving independence in 1956.

### Identifiers and References
Khenifra is referenced in multiple databases and encyclopedias:
- **VIAF ID**: 147914876
- **GeoNames ID**: 2544333
- **UN/LOCODE**: MAKHF
- **Postal Code**: 54000
- **Encyclopædia Britannica ID**: place/Khenifra
- **Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana ID**: khenifra

### Language and Naming
The city is known by several names:
- **Arabic**: خنيفرة
- **Berber**: ⵅⵏⵉⴼⵕⴰ
- **Other Aliases**: Jénifra, Kénifra, Khénifra, ケニフラ (Japanese), and others.

### Infrastructure and Codes
- **Moroccan Geographic Code (2015)**: 05.301.01.01
- **OpenStreetMap Node ID**: 624269194
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n96046008
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987007540133705171

### Nearby Locations
Khenifra is surrounded by several smaller settlements:
- **Tighza**: A town in Béni Mellal-Khénifra.
- **Tizi N'Ghachou**: A rural commune.
- **Sidi Yahya Ou Youssef**: A rural commune.

### Historical Population Data
The city's population growth is documented through multiple censuses:
- **1994**: 60,835 people, 12,615 households.
- **2004**: 72,672 people, 16,495 households.
- **2014**: 117,510 people, 29,281 households.
- **2024**: 123,738 people, 34,147 households.

### Additional References
Khenifra is listed in various online resources and databases, including Wikipedia (in multiple languages), Wikimedia Commons, and academic references such as the Encyclopédie Berbère (article ID 1355). The city's significance is further highlighted by its inclusion in global datasets like the UN LOCODE and GeoNames.

## References

1. 2014 Moroccan census
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](http://www.hcp.ma/file/103036/)
5. [Source](http://rgph2014.hcp.ma/file/166326/)
6. [2024 Moroccan census](https://www.hcp.ma/Population-legale-du-Royaume-du-Maroc-repartie-par-regions-provinces-et-prefectures-et-communes-selon-les-resultats-du_a3974.html)
7. GeoNames
8. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/ma.htm)
9. Quora
10. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
11. [Source](https://www.hcp.ma/Population-legale-du-Royaume-du-Maroc-repartie-par-regions-provinces-et-prefectures-et-communes-selon-les-resultats-du_a3974.html)