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Morocco (Berber: Marruk ) is a country in North Africa. It
has a long coastline on the Atlantic Ocean that reaches past
the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea. It borders
Algeria to the east, though the Algerian border is closed, the
Mediterranean Sea and Spain to the north and the Atlantic Ocean
to its west. The border to the south is disputed. Morocco claims
ownership of Western Sahara and has administered most of the
territory since 1975.
Morocco, a constitutional monarchy, is the only African country
that is not currently a member of the African Union. However,
it is a member of the Arab League, Arab Maghreb Union, Organization
of the Islamic Conference, Mediterranean Dialogue group, Group
of 77 and major non-NATO ally.
Facts:
Capital : Rabat
Largest city : Casablanca
Official language(s) : Tamazight
Government : Constitutional Monarchy
King : Mohammed VI
Primeminister : Driss Jettou
Independence From France : March
2, 1956
Independence From Spain : April
7, 1956
Area : - Total 446,550 km²
Population : - 31,478,000
Currency : Dirham (MAD)
Climate
The climate is Mediterranean which becomes more extreme towards
the interior regions where it is mountainous. The terrain is
such that the coastal plains are rich and accordingly, they
comprise the backbone for agriculture. Forests cover about 12%
of the land while arable land accounts for 18%. 5% is irrigated.
Culture
Morocco is a country of multi-ethnic groups with a rich culture
and civilization. Through Moroccan history, Morocco hosted many
people coming from both East (Berbers, Phoenicians, Carthaginians,
Jews and Arabs), South (Africans) and North (Romans, Vandals,
Moors and Jews). All those civilizations have had an impact
on the social structure of Morocco. It conceived all forms of
beliefs, from paganism, Judaism, Christianity to Islam.
Major Tourist Destinations
Imperial Cities
Fes, Marrakech, Meknes and Rabat are known as the Imperial Cities,
each having been the country's capital at some Time during its
history.
Rabat
Rabat, the present capital of Morocco, was founded in the 12th
century. It is a town of trees and flowers, and many monumental
gateways, including the Gate of the Ambassadors and the Oudaias
Kasbah Gate. There is a good selection of hotels and numerous
pavement cafes. The nearby Mamora forest and the many beaches
are popular tourist attractions, particularly during the summer.
Other attaractions include Tour Hassan, the grandiose minaret
of a vast, uncompleted 12th-century mosque; the Mohammed V Mausoleum,
an outstanding example of traditional Moroccan architecture;
the Royal Palace; the Chellah, with superb monuments, delightful
gardens and Roman ruins; the Oudaias; the Archaeological Museum;
the National Museum of Handicrafts and the antique Moorish cafe.
The battlements surrounding the old town, and part of the new
city, date from the mid-12th century. Also worth a visit is
Sale, Rabat's twin city, at the opposite side of the river,
believed to have been founded in the 11th century.
Meknes
Meknes is protected by 25km (16 miles) of battlements, flanked
by towers and bastions. The city reflects the power and the
constructive genius of King Moulay Ismail, a contemporary of
Louis XIV, who ruled the country for 55 years. The Michlifen
and Djebel Habri are two ski resorts above Meknes. The city
boasts a wonderful souk (market) and the old town is listed
by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. About 30km (19 miles) from
Meknes, the Roman ruins at Volubilis are also on UNESCO's World
Heritage list. Excavations and ruins dating back to the third
century can be visited for a small admission fee and there is
also an interesting archaeological museum.
Fes
Fes is the most ancient and impressive of the imperial cities.
Built in the eighth century, it has more history and mystery
than anywhere else in Morocco. Officially encompassing two cities
- El Bali and Jadid - Fès is famous for the Nejjarine Square
and Fountain, the Er Rsif and Andalous (Al-Andalus) mosques,
the Royal Palace, the Kasbah and Karaouine (Al-Qarawiyin) University,
which is older than Oxford University. The Dar Bath Museum is
also worth a visit. The old part of the city - Fes El Bali -
still retains the magical, bustling atmosphere of an ancient
Time and it is centered around the two famous mosques of Al-Qarawiyin
and Al-Andalus. It is a huge maze of winding streets and covered
bazaars where, if one is not careful, it is easy to get lost
(it is therefore a good idea to hire an official guide). There
are magnificent examples of Hispano-Arabic architecture as well
as numerous opportunities to see traditional craftspeople at
work. The medina (market) in Fes El Bali is one of the largest
in the world and is also on UNESCO's World Heritage list. Here,
one can buy almost anything. It is particularly good for carpets,
rugs and ornate metalwork. As in all of Morocco, the market
business is conducted in a leisurely, although deadly earnest
way, with the accompaniment of endless glasses of sweet mint
tea. Fes is, perhaps, one of the most fascinating cities anywhere
in the Middle East or north Africa.
Marrakech
Founded in 1062, Marrakech was once the capital of an empire
that stretched from Toledo to Senegal. Called the 'Pink City'
because of the color of the local earth used in its construction,
it is a city of labyrinthine alleyways, secluded palaces, museums,
mosques and markets. The city's gardens are still supplied with
water from 11th-century underground irrigation canals. The Djemaa
el-Fna (Place of the Dead), the city square, comes alive after
nightfall; thronged with dancers, fortune-tellers, musicians,
acrobats, storytellers and snake charmers, it is an exciting
and occasionally bewildering place - an exotic spectacle that
is striking and endlessly surprising. Koutoubia, the 12th-century
mosque, is as tall as the towers of Notre Dame and dominates
the Marrakech skyline. The Ben Youssef Medersa, with its mosaics,
marbles and carved woodwork, is the largest theological site
in the Mahgreb. It forms part of Marrakech's UNESCO-listed medina,
now a World Heritage site, crammed with architectural masterpieces.
Other interesting places to see are the sumptuous Bahia Palace;
the beautiful Saadian Tombs housing the remains of rulers of
the Saadian Dynasty; the Dar Sisaid Museum; the Menara and Aquedal
gardens and the famed camel market.
Tangier
Tangier, gateway to Africa, is the country's most cosmopolitan
town, a place where - surviving from the days when Tangier was
a free port - the street signs are in three languages; in fact,
no less than 12 nations have occupied the city at one Time or
another since the fifth century. The city has a picturesque
and active market called the Grand Socco. Other places worth
visiting include the Mendoubia Gardens; the Sidi Bounabib Mosque;
the Moulay Ismail Mosque; the Forbes Museum; and the Merinid
College. Excursions in the region include visits to the mountain
town of Chechaouen, the fishing village of Asilah and the Caves
of Hercules at Cape Spartel. About 40km (25 miles) southeast
of Tangier, the city of Tetouan has a reputation for minor crime.
However, the town is beautifully located on a hillside with
a view over the Mediterranean and its medina (market) in the
old part is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Casablanca
Also on the Atlantic coast is the newer city of Casablanca.
Founded at the beginning of the century, it is the country's
principal commercial town, the second-largest town in Africa
and one of the continent's biggest ports. Here stands the Hassan
II Mosque, the world's largest mosque with one of the world's
tallest minarets. Just south of Casablanca, in a picturesque
location along the banks of the Oum er-Rbia, is Azemmour, with
its abundance of violet bougainvillea and its purple ramparts
(which visitors may walk along after agreeing a fee for the
guardian to unlock them). Slightly further south is El Jadida
which has a remarkable Portuguese fortress and one of the most
beautiful beaches on the Atlantic coast. It also boasts the
Church of Assumption, an enormous underground Cistern and the
'Gate on the Sea' and fortifications.
Tafilalt
Erfoud is the center for excursions to the oasis of Tafilalt,
kept green and fertile by the underground waters of the Ziz
and the Rheris. Er Rachidia is the provincial capital of the
Tafilalt region, and has a bustling market on the main square.
On the road between Er Rachidia and Erfoud are the 'Blue Springs'
at Meski and the natural amphitheater of Cirque de Jaffar near
Midelt. Tinerhir, once a garrison of the French Foreign Legion,
is worth visiting for its kasbahs. Near Tinerhir is the outstanding
scenery of the Drâa Valley (famous for its red-earthern kasbahs)
and the magnificent Todra gorge.
Zagora Region
From the top of the Djebel Zagora, there is a spectacular view
of the Draa Valley and desert. The oasis of Tamergroute, 18km
(11 miles) away from Zagora, has a library containing some of
the earliest Arabic manuscripts, written nine centuries ago
on gazelle skins. They are on display at the Zaouia Nasseria.
Nearby, Mhamid and its palm groves are at the gates of the great
sand desert.
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