BEN SLIMANE

formerly Boulhaut, town, north-central Morocco. The town, a local market centre, is situated 12 miles (20 km) inland from the Atlantic Ocean between the cities of Rabat and Casablanca. It lies at an elevation of 980 feet (299 m) above sea level, at the edge of the Ziada cork oak forest. The town is situated in a region of low plateaus and valleys that are intensely cultivated near the ocean; cereals (mostly wheat), citrus fruits, and grapes are grown. Farther inland, forests of cork oak, Aleppo pine, eucalyptus, and mimosa predominate. Pop. (1982 est.) 24,125.