Morocco has 12 regions, which serve as the country's top-level administrative divisions. These regions, known in French as régions, were established under a major territorial reform in 2015 that streamlined governance and gave local councils more authority. Each region is led by an elected council and a government-appointed governor, and together they cover Morocco's full sweep of landscapes, from Mediterranean coast and Atlas Mountains to Saharan plains.
The 12 Regions of Morocco
Morocco's regions vary enormously in size, population, and character. The reform that created them grouped the country into these 12 administrative units:
- Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma
- Oriental
- Fès-Meknès
- Rabat-Salé-Kénitra
- Béni Mellal-Khénifra
- Casablanca-Settat
- Marrakech-Safi
- Drâa-Tafilalet
- Souss-Massa
- Guelmim-Oued Noun
- Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra
- Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab
The last three regions on the list lie within the disputed territory of Western Sahara, which Morocco administers and considers part of its national territory. Their names reflect a blend of Arabic and Amazigh (Berber) place-names that carry deep historical roots.
How the Regions Are Structured
The 12 regions sit at the top of a layered administrative system. Below them, Morocco is further divided into provinces (in rural areas) and prefectures (in urban areas), and those in turn break down into smaller circles, communes, and districts. This nested structure allows national policy to filter down while local councils handle day-to-day matters such as roads, schools, and economic development.
Each region elects a regional council through universal suffrage. Since the 2015 reform, these councils have gained expanded powers over budgets, regional planning, and investment, part of Morocco's broader move toward decentralization, known locally as régionalisation avancée (advanced regionalization).
The Largest and Most Populated Regions
Drâa-Tafilalet, stretching across the High Atlas, the Anti-Atlas, and the pre-Saharan oases of the Tafilalet, is among the largest regions by land area, though much of it is sparsely inhabited desert and mountain terrain. By contrast, the smaller coastal regions pack in the majority of Morocco's people.
Casablanca-Settat is the most populous region by a wide margin. It contains Casablanca, Morocco's largest city and economic engine, home to the country's main port, stock exchange, and a heavy concentration of industry and finance. Other densely populated regions include Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, which holds the national capital, Rabat, and Marrakech-Safi, anchored by the tourist hub of Marrakech.
A System That Has Changed Over Time
The current 12-region map is relatively new. Before 2015, Morocco was organized into 16 regions, a structure that had been in place since the 1990s. The 2015 reform consolidated several of those regions to create larger, more economically coherent units and to better balance population and resources across the country.
This kind of reorganization is part of a longer history. Morocco's administrative boundaries have been redrawn repeatedly as the kingdom modernized its governance, responded to demographic shifts, and integrated its southern territories. The regional capitals, such as Rabat, Casablanca, Fès, Marrakech, and Tangier, often double as major cultural and economic centers in their own right. To explore the country's geography, history, and travel highlights in more depth, see our morocco country guide.
Why the Regions Matter
Beyond administration, Morocco's regions reflect the country's striking diversity. The northern Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma region looks toward Spain and the Mediterranean, with a distinct Rif Mountain culture. Fès-Meknès preserves imperial cities and centuries of Islamic scholarship. Souss-Massa, centered on Agadir, blends Atlantic beaches with Amazigh heartlands, while the southern Saharan regions open onto vast desert and a coastline rich in fishing grounds.
Understanding the regional map is the simplest way to make sense of Morocco's contrasts: a single country where snow-capped peaks, ancient medinas, fertile plains, and endless dunes all coexist under one administrative framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many regions does Morocco have?
Morocco has 12 regions. They are the country's primary administrative divisions, each governed by an elected regional council and overseen by an appointed governor.
What is the most populated region in Morocco?
Casablanca-Settat is the most populated region. It includes Casablanca, the country's largest city and its leading commercial and industrial center.
When were Morocco's current regions created?
The current 12 regions were established by a territorial reform in 2015, which reduced the previous total from 16 regions to 12 and expanded the powers of regional councils.
Are the regions further divided?
Yes. Each region is subdivided into provinces (rural) and prefectures (urban), which break down further into circles, communes, and districts, forming a layered administrative hierarchy.