- Tafilalt
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Oasis, southeastern Morocco.The country's largest Saharan oasis, it covers 533 sq mi (1,380 sq km). It comprises six fortified villages and palm groves stretching for some 30 mi (50 km) along the Wadi Ziz. Its old capital was the prosperous Berber stronghold of Sijilmassa, founded in AD 757 on the Saharan caravan route and finally destroyed in the 19th century. The oasis is noted for its groves of date palms.
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also spelled Tafilet or Tafilaletlargest Saharan oasis of Morocco, in the southeastern part of the country. The oasis comprises the fortified villages of Erfoud, Arab Sebbah du Ziz, Rissani, Seffalat, Aoufous, and Jorf, together with palm groves stretching 30 miles (50 km) along the Wadi Ziz. Its old capital was the Amazigh ( Berber) stronghold of Sijilmassa, founded in AD 757 on the Saharan caravan route from the Niger River to Tangier. A prosperous city, it was destroyed in 1363, rebuilt by Mawlāy Ismāʿīl (1672–1727), and devastated in 1818 by Ait Atta nomads. The only planned village of the oasis, Rissani, was built near Sijilmassa's ruins. Tafilalt is noted for its dates, most of which it exports. It has tanning and handicraft industries, and its main trading centre is Erfoud at the base of Mount Erfoud.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
