Morocco - Aremd
The high altitude village of Aremd
(1907m) is the ideal location for passing a few days in the
"clean air" of the mountains in the Toubkal region.
This is a family body locked together in the High Atlas Mountains consisting of 1200 people, split up into 145 different family
living communities. The spelling of the village name changes
from map to map between Aremd and Aroumd.
This is an all year mountain resort offering: trekking,
climbing, mountain biking, ski
mountaineering and much more.. Over 7 km of concrete has
been placed, giving a clean and secure sanity system for everybody
in the village. These projects have been funded by the dynamic
local village association and the local governments help. 100%
of the population has running water and electricity, 80% have
television and 20 % have a telephone in their house, thank you
Maroc Telecom.
2 camping sites, 4 gites/ hotels, restaurants, shopping and
guiding services can be found in the village.
Schools and Village Life
Aremd has 2 schools which keeps
the children occupied for 4 hours each day. From the age of
16 years old the next school is in Marrakech,
which involves either a 180 km round trip or pension.
This has been a major problem for the children of the High Atlas,
as the average family normally is unable to pay for the extra
costs. From next year this problem will have been sorted, a
high school in Asni is the answer, now
the children of the mountains will have the same chance as their
cousins who live in the cities.
Agriculture
The Cherry and Walnut trees
give a covering of shade to the pickers and carriers of the
fruits and nuts. Wheat and Barley are grown on terraces which
are irrigated by the integrate net work of streams and mini
dams which run between the houses. These are constantly being
fed by the run off from the snow melting in the mountains above.
The lush pastures of the High Atlas make some of the best grazing
land in Morocco, the cows, sheep and goats
have a good reason to be happy!
Commercial
The main commercial part of the
village is found on the path which leads from the village of
Imlil. Here you can find three cafes
on the way out of the village of Aremd, stop for that last cup
of tea before the steeps arrive if your heading for the top
of Toubkal. One of the cafes has being
given a new roof made from bamboo.
The Lac Ifni has a small bazaar where you can find a small choice
of local products, from carpets to
fine silver and tea pots. In the upper
part of the village you will have to hunt to find the local
village shop. Its easier to ask and be shown.
