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Ziz Gorges

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

The Ziz Gorges are a special place in Morocco.

Ziz Gorge Panorama - panoramio
Ziz Gorge Panorama - panoramio

They sit along the upper course of the Ziz River. This river flows through the Atlas Mountains. Over many years, the water cut deep paths through the rock. This process created the narrow gorges we see today. They are a major part of the local landscape.

Ziz Gorge Panorama - panoramio
Ziz Gorge Panorama - panoramio

Two gates mark the ends of the gorge. The northern end and the southern end serve as these gates. At the southern end, you will find the Hassan Addakil dam. This dam also creates a lake in the area. Nearby, there is a path called the Tunnel de Légionnaire. French colonial troops built this tunnel in the 1930s. It was made to create a passageway into the gorge.

Ziz Gorge Panorama - panoramio
Ziz Gorge Panorama - panoramio

People have used this land for a very long time. For many centuries, the gorges were part of a trading route. Caravans used this path to move between settlements. These settlements were in the northern Sahara. Even much earlier, soldiers used these mountains. In the 1st century, a Roman general passed through here. His name was Gaius Suetonius Paulinus.

Ziz Gorge Panorama - panoramio
Ziz Gorge Panorama - panoramio

There are many interesting things to find in the ground here. The area is known for ancient fossils. These are the remains of living things from long ago. People often excavate these fossils from the earth. After they find them, they sell them. It is a common thing to do in this region. This makes the gorge a place of discovery.

Ziz Gorge Panorama - panoramio
Ziz Gorge Panorama - panoramio

Looking at the gorge helps us understand the Earth. It shows how rivers change the shape of mountains. The map shows where the gorges sit in Morocco.

Ziz Gorge Panorama - panoramio
Ziz Gorge Panorama - panoramio

You can see how the Ziz River works with the land. The history of the area links many different times together. It connects ancient Romans to modern people. It also connects the Sahara to the mountains.

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File:Ziz Gorge Panorama - panoramio.jpg
Ziz Gorge Panorama - panoramio.jpg
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