Tizi n'Tichka (Berber languages: ⵜⵉⵣⵉ ⴻⵏ ⵜⵉⵛⴾⴰ, romanized: Tizi en Ticka; Arabic: تيزي ن تيشكا) is a mountain pass in Morocco, linking the south-east of Marrakesh to the city of Ouarzazate through the High Atlas mountains. It lies above the great Marrakesh plains, and is a gateway to the Sahara.

Tizi n'Tichka
Tizi en Ticka
ⵜⵉⵣⵉ ⴻⵏ ⵜⵉⵛⴾⴰ
تيزي ن تيشكا
Elevation2,205 m (7,234 ft)
LocationMorocco
RangeAtlas Mountains
Coordinates31°17′9″N 7°22′51″W / 31.28583°N 7.38083°W / 31.28583; -7.38083
Tizi n'Tichka is located in Morocco
Tizi n'Tichka
Tizi n'Tichka

Climate and elevation

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From November through March, snow can often fall on the pass, but it can be warm all year round in the strong sun.[1] It has been believed for a long time that it reaches an elevation of 2,260 metres (7,415 ft) above the sea level (this is also indicated on a sign at the top of the pass), but a gps-measurement by Hans Mülder on November 30, 2022 indicated it is only 2,205 metres (7,234 ft) high,[2] which was confirmed by Google Earth, on which the highest altitude of the pass is 2,207 metres (7,241 ft). It is the highest major mountain pass in North Africa. The road was constructed along the old caravan trail by the French military in 1936,[3] and is now part of National Route 9 (formerly Route P-31).[4]

Fauna

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The last known wild Barbary lion in Morocco was shot near Tizi n'Tichka in 1942.[5]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Scraton, Paul (2008). "Crossing the Tizi n' Tichka Pass in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco". Trazzler. Archived from the original on 21 May 2009.
  2. ^ "GPS data for Tizi n'Tichka".
  3. ^ "Side Trips in Ouarzazate". Frommers. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  4. ^ "Marrakech - Tizi n Tichka route". Footprint Guides. 2009. Archived from the original on 2 March 2009.
  5. ^ Black, S. A.; Fellous, A.; Yamaguchi, N.; Roberts, D. L. (2013). "Examining the Extinction of the Barbary Lion and Its Implications for Felid Conservation". PLOS ONE. 8 (4): e60174. Bibcode:2013PLoSO...860174B. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0060174. PMC 3616087. PMID 23573239.
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