The Kingdom of Morocco (Arabic: المملكة المغربية‎) 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, the Mediterranean Sea and a relatively thin water border Spain to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to its west. There are also two Spanish exclaves, Ceuta and Melilla, bordering Morocco to the north. 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, and Group of 77, and is a major non-NATO ally of the United States.

Al-Mamlakah al-Maghribīyyah Kingdom of Morocco
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: الله، الوطن، الملك  (Arabic) "Allāh, al Waţan, al Malik"  (transliteration) "God, Country, King"
Anthem: Hymne Chérifien
Capital	Rabat
Largest city	Casablanca
Official language	Arabic (French, Amazigh, Moroccan Arabic widely spoken)
Government	Constitutional monarchy
- King	Mohammed VI
- Prime Minister	Driss Jettou

Morocco is more than just sun, sea and sand – the North African country abounds with ancient cities, cultural monuments and lonely wildernesses just waiting to be explored. Here’s how to enjoy yourself away from Morocco’s fabulous beaches.

Take a spa break: The ultimate relaxing indulgence, spa holidays in Morocco are becoming increasingly popular. Try visiting a secluded resort for a traditional massage with black soap, a rough glove and a selection of spicy essential oils to leave your senses reeling.

Dance at a local festival: Moroccan festivals brim with colour, atmosphere and fun. Jazz fans will adore May’s TANJazz fest in Tangiers, while Gnaoua World Music Festival in Essaouira combines an eclectic mix of music with alternative performance and cuisine.

Trek the desert: If you want to discover what Morocco is really all about then don’t leave without taking a tour of the desert – preferably on camel back. The Sahara stretches throughout the south west of the country and there are dozens of operators offering guided trips and camping under the stars.

See the sights: Morocco has a long and varied cultural history, to which a number of ancient monuments stand testament. For a taste of what life might have been like in the country a few hundred years ago, visit the desert Kasbahs in the Draa Valley and admire their solid fortifications. 

Get adventurous: There are plenty of adventure activities on offer in Morocco, including windsurfing, rock-climbing, white-water rafting and mountain biking. The Draa Valley is perhaps the best place in the country to experience scenic mountain bike trails, while the rugged terrain of the Anti-Atlas will challenge even the fittest cyclists. The rapid of the High and Middle Atlas ranges offer some exiting rafting opportunities, and rock climbers will find themselves challenged as never before by the rock faces of the Dades and Todra Gorges. If you are planning to engage in adventure sports on holiday, however, make sure that your travel insurance covers you. Instead of settling for the built-in insurance offered by your trip provider, consider taking out an independent policy with a company like Go Travel.

Back to the ocean: Finally, remember that Morocco’s varied coastline offers more than just sun-kissed beaches. The Atlantic coves of Agadir and Oualidia are a windsurfers paradise, while kids will love exploring the ancient Portuguese pirate ports of El Jadida and Essaouira. Relax after all that adventure and exploration by taking a dip in the ocean and falling asleep on a beautiful Moroccan white-sand beach.

The unspoilt Mediterranean for fortunate visitors

When planning your holidays, consider Mediterrania-Saïdia, to the east of Morocco, a new beach resort benefiting from exceptional natural surroundings. The 14km of beach runs up to the border, forming a golden strip of fine sand. The climate is unusually mild and the sea laps peacefully against the shore. From Saïdia, it is easy to visit the region’s diverse ...

An exceptional resort overlooking the ocean

On the edge of the Atlantic, 45 minutes by car from Casablanca international airport, the finishing touches are being applied to the lavish tourist complex of Mazagan. In an exceptional position, with luxurious facilities and an architecture and ambiance which give the surroundings a feeling of authenticity, this high-level resort will open in October. It will ...

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References

External links

Government

• Kingdom of Morocco (official portal)
• (French) (Arabic) Parliament of Morocco (official site)
• (French) (Arabic) Public services website
• Kingdom of Morocco (Ministry of Communication)

News

• allAfrica - Morocco
• Maghreb Arabe Presse (government news agency)
• The North Africa Journal (financial news)
• MarocPost
• Western Sahara site

Overviews

• Worldstatesmen.org/Morocco.htm
• Arab Gateway – Morocco
• BBC News – Country Profile: Morocco
• Encyclopaedia Britannica, Morocco - Country Page
• CIA World Factbook – Morocco
• US State Department – Morocco includes Background Notes, Country Study and major reports

Directories

• Columbia University Libraries – Morocco (WWW-VL)
• Open Directory Project – Morocco
• Morocco Directory
• Adminet.com - Morocco (French)

Communities

• The Moroccan American Community Events Board
• Maroc Entrepreneurs Association dedicated to the Promotion of Entrepreneurship in Morocco
• (French) Moroccans around the world
• Portal of Moroccans in the U.S.
• Visiting Jewish Morocco
• Moroccan Congress of USA
• http://moroccancharity.org
• Blog for Morocco Lovers

Trade and external relations

• Historical Background on United States - Morocco Relations
• The EU's relations with Morocco
• Moroccan American Trade Council
• Description of benefits of the Moroccan-American FTA
• Moroccousafta a site about the Morocco/US Free Trade Agreement
• The American Legation in Tangier

Surveys

• Hashish production and trafficking in the Rif area of Morocco
• Human Rights Watch on Morocco
• Maroc Post
• Genetic structure of north-west Africa revealed by STR analysis

Tourism and culture

• Official Morocco tourism website
• Morocco travel photography
• Pictures of Morocco from flickr
• Images of Morocco
• More pictures of Morocco
• Biodiversity of South Western Morocco (Flora and Plant Communities of Morocco)
• Morocco in Lexicorient
• Morocco Guide

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Wine thrives in Muslim Morocco

Morocco, a country in northwest Africa bordering on the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, is only an hour away by ferry from Spain, but the deep traditions and the Islamic culture make it a mysterious and fascinating place that seems much further from Europe. Even after the Spanish and French colonization and the presence of cosmopolitan cities like Casablanca and Rabat one can still feel the strong presence of an ancient past coexisting with today’s everyday life.

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Geographically Morocco is divided into 4 regions: the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastal area, the metropolitan cities on the flatlands, the Atlas Mountains and the Rif, the oasis in the south and the pre-Sahara desert. It is difficult not to come across the mountains at some point as the three Atlas ranges and the Rif stretch out to the north crossing the whole country creating cultural and geographical barriers.

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 The coast around Tangier, the pretty city characterized by the presence of an international port, as well as Asilah and Larache are generally the most pleasant to visit. El Jadida and Essaouira in the south are informal seaside resorts, while Agadir is a package holiday destination and therefore less appealing. The cities are Morocco’s greatest attraction, Fes and Marrakech in particular are unique and bursting with tradition; there you can still watch life as it was in the Middle Ages. Architecturally Fez is certainly the most spectacular of the two, however Marrakech remains the most suggestive and picturesque as the prelude to the southern regions.

The hot and sunny climate and the pleasant beaches make Morocco a popular destination with tourists. The diverse mountain scenery is ideal for trekking excursions, which have become very popular, as well as the excursions to the oasis in the pre-Sahara desert. There are coaches taking sightseers to visit the main itineraries, while for the secondary routes it is necessary to either hire a car or a taxi. The oasis of Tinerhir, Zagora and Erfound offer the classic picture of the Arab world with palm trees lining the desert in the horizon.

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It wouldn’t be possible to visit the whole country in 2 or 3 weeks, even 2 or 3 months wouldn’t be enough, but with careful planning it is possible to catch a glimpse of each area. To help with your search we have put together selected destinations inclusive of general information and the most interesting sites across various categories.

On this website we have gathered some useful information on Morocco’s history, culture and major events taking place there. Each individual destination comes with information about airports, transport, places of interest, museums complete of addresses and eating out tips. You can browse through our selection of pictures and even check out our maps which are fully interactive: you can search the place you need to find on the map and even have a close up satellite view. Try it now for an aerial view of the locations that interest you!


Food & Drink...

Tourist can have very different eating experiences in Morocco, the most adventurous will taste the delicious traditional Moroccan dishes such as tajine, couscous and harira, the less inclined to try the local cuisine can find western food, mainly French cuisine, in hotels and restaurants in the new part of the city (ville nouvelle).
Moroccan food is based on meat, usually lamb or chicken, vegetables, couscous and a large selection of bread. Each recipe tends to carry very strong flavors, and will surely provide a wonderful gastronomic experience.
Soups are very popular and often a meal starts with a rich and spicy pulse soup called the harira; harira is also served in many cafes at breakfast time as well as the bisara, a rich chickpea soup with fresh olive oil poured over the top. Many cafes specialize in soups and they are usually recognized by the piles of cups on the counter.

The other succulent Moroccan dish is the tajine that, like paella and casserole, takes the name from the dish rather than the food itself, a heavy ceramic covered dish. Classic tajines are usually made with meat, fruit and spices: the meat is placed in the middle with the vegetables around; it then cooks slowly on the fire with the lid on.

Lamb tajines are usually cooked with almonds and prunes, while chicken tajines are made with green olives and lemon. If you happen to be invited for a meal in someone’s house, the tajine will be in the middle of the table and the custom is to eat the vegetables in front of you accepting the pieces of meat the host offers you.

Couscous is the most renowned Moroccan dish, coarse semolina steamed with vegetables and spices served with lamb or chicken. Traditionally couscous is not a dish you would find at restaurants, but it is the food the locals eat on special days and the best couscous you could have is at a Maroccan household. If you wish to eat it at the restaurant remember to order it a few hours before you go.

The mechoui is a goat cooked on a spit and is usually consumed in special occasions as well.

Moroccan bread is very interesting with many variations. Try the heavy crusty harsha, the melaoui or msimmen, which is crusty thin bread covered with olive oil or if you feel like something lighter the baghira is similar to a light focaccia.

Dates, yoghurt, fresh cheese and olives are popular snacks. Mint tea is the national drink and is often offered in sign of friendship and during negotiation over price in shops.
Alcohol is not readily available in Morocco in accordance with Islamic tradition, however beer and wine are served in some restaurants and bars in the new part of the city.

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Morocco is largest winemaker in Muslim world