Morocco is located on the westernmost tip of north Africa, bordering Algeria to the east and Mauritania to the south and southeast, the Atlantic ocean to the west and the Mediterranean to the north. Running through the middle of the country is the Atlas mountain range, which leads to the fertile plains and sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast. The Middle Atlas range sweeps up from the south, rising to over 3000m (9850ft), covered with woodlands of pine, oak and cedar, open pastureland and small lakes. The Rif Mountains run along the north coast. The ports of Ceuta (Sebta) and Melilla on the north coast are administered by Spain.
Morocco is the fourth most populous Arab country, after Egypt, Sudan and Algeria. Most Moroccans are Sunni Muslims of Arab, Berber, or mixed Arab-Berber stock. The Arabs invaded Morocco in the 7th and 11th centuries and established their culture there. Morocco's Jewish minority has decreased significantly and numbers about 7,000 (See History of the Jews in Morocco). Most of the 100,000 foreign residents are French or Spanish; many are teachers or technicians and more and more retirees, especially in Marrakesh.
Transportation in Morocco
By Car: Traffic drives on the right. The major Moroccan roads, particularly those covering the north and northwest of the country, are all-weather highways. In the interior, south of the High Atlas Mountains, road travel becomes much more difficult, especially across the Atlas Mountains in winter.
By Bus: Connections between most major towns and villages are regular and frequent, although buses can be very crowded and it may be wise to buy tickets in advance and arrive well before departure to secure a seat. The price of tickets is very low, especially with some of the smaller local bus companies. It is customary to tip the guard for loading luggage.
By Rail: The Moroccan rail system, run by Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF), provides regular and cheap services with first-class travel available between major centres. Rail fares are amongst the cheapest in the world, although a supplement must be paid for air-conditioned trains.
By Ferry: There are cheap and regular car- and passenger-ferry links between southern Spain and Tangier and the Spanish enclaves on the north Moroccan coast.
By Air: The national airline is Royal Air Maroc. There are frequent direct flights from all major European cities, from North America and from the Middle East.
Approximate flight times:
From Casablanca to London is three hours; from Tangier is two hours 30 minutes. From Casablanca to New York is six hours 30 minutes.
Djemaa el Fna is the hub of daily life in Marrakech, and this town square is as much a focus for the local people as it is for the tourists who flock here to find their bearings and watch the daily spectacle unfold. The square leads in to the medina, or old quarter, where the famous souks, or bazaars, can be found. At night, the square comes alive and turns into an open-air stage filled with acrobats, storytellers, snakecharmers and musicians.
Founded shortly after the Arabs first entered North Africa in the eighth century AD, Fès is the oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities. Its medina, the ancient quarter or the old city, is also the largest medina in Morocco, an enchanting, winding, medieval maze of mosques, food markets and covered bazaars filled with crafts, such as metalwork objects and rugs. The Souk Dabbaghin houses the tanneries where leather has been dyed for hundreds of years. Today, this traditional craft is still practised and visitors can see the huge vats of dye and the coloured leather that is laid out to dry in the sun.
The Hassan Tower, the grandiose minaret of a vast yet incomplete mosque, is Rabat’s most famous landmark. Begun in 1195, the minaret was intended to be the largest in the Muslim world, soaring some 86m (260ft) into the sky. Construction was abandoned, however, upon the death of the sultan, Yacoub al-Mansour, in 1199 and the tower instead rises to just 44m (140ft).
Main Attractions
Hassan Tower
A grandiose minaret of a vast, uncompleted 12th-century mosque.
Mohammed V Mausoleum
An outstanding example of traditional Moroccan architecture in Rabat.
Fes Medina
The market in Fes is one of the largest in the world and on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
Hassan II Mosque
Casablanca is the economic capital of the country and the largest city, with 5 million people.
The biggest sight in Casablanca is the new Hassan II Mosque.
