OUJDA

city, extreme northeastern Morocco. It lies near the MoroccanAlgerian border. Founded in 944 by Zanatah Berbers, the city was fought over by Berbers, Arabs, and Turks and destroyed and rebuilt so often that it was called Medinet el-Haira, City of Fear. Peace finally came after the French occupation in 1907. The Moroccan and Algerian railways meet at Oujda, the main function of which is as a frontier post. It is also a tourist centre, has an international airport, and owes some growth to the coal, lead, and zinc mines to the south. There are traces of ancient walls, but the city's appearance is generally modern, with wide avenues and parks. Oujda is near Sidi Yahya oasis, a legendary burial place of John the Baptist and site of the Battle of Isly, where the French defeated the Moors in 1844. It is connected by road and railway with Taza. Olives and grapes are grown in the irrigated, fertile plain in which the town is situated. Cereals (primarily wheat), sheep, and goats are raised on the plain, and esparto grass, bailed and exported for use in making paper, grows throughout the area. Large deposits of anthracite coal are located near Jerada, a lead mine is at Touissit, and lead metal is produced at Oued el-Hemer. Pop. (1982) 260,082.