Morocco or The Western Kingdom is a wonderful tourist resort sharing most of its border with Algeria and Sahara. Morocco comprises 16 regions that that further divide into provinces and prefectures. Morocco is a vivid tourist resort with some unforgettable places and intriguing natural beauty that entices.
To Do and To See
The culture of Morocco is visible in the various mosques and palaces. There are several places tourists can visit, and you may start from the ancient city of Asilah. Tourists should also visit the Grottoes of Hercules as also the famous El Bahia Palace.
There are several mountain ranges in Morocco that excite tourists with the wonderful landscape. The Sahara Desert is a famous tourist destination. High Atlas, Chefchaouen Mountains, and Oregano Mountains provide tourists with sporting opportunities such as hiking, snow hiking, adventure travel and climbing.
There is the famous Morocco Coast that has one fine beach attracting scores of tourists. Dakhla is a fishing village in Morocco Coast where tourists can opt for fishing. Plage Quemada and Lalla Fatma beaches are where tourists head for to take a swim.
There are historical places to visit, too. Morocco has a few museums offering a glimpse into the history of Morocco. Museum of Antiquities is another favourite museum in Morocco. The Ethnographic Museum is also popular with tourists. Museum of Moroccan Art holds some interesting items on display for tourists. There are glass objects, jewellery, manuscripts, pottery, and magnificent carpets on display.
Morocco also has theatres where tourists can enjoy live performances and classic plays such as from Shakespeare. Teatro de Cervantes and Alliance Franco-Marocaine Theater are popular theatres tourists can visit.
The rock carvings near Ouka’meden will fascinate tourists. These are wonderful carvings of animals and are frequently visited by historians and tourists. If you love animals, you will appreciate a camel trek that is a unique experience in itself.
An astounding and incredible sight that tourists will never forget is watching the goats in Souss Valley. Watching goats may not appear to be a sight, but watching the goats climb Argan trees sure is.
Food
Morocco was inhabited over 2,000 years ago. Regional ingredients such as dates, almonds, lemon, olives, and figs are used heavily. Morocco grows ample food for its people, and tourists will appreciate the high quality fruits and vegetables such as melons and oranges, hot and sweet pepper, tomatoes and potatoes.
Seafood is prominent in all menus, and beef is also consumed. Moroccan bread is a staple at all times. Tajine is the national dish of Morocco and tourists will appreciate this delicious poultry stew or lamb. The dish is revered for its flavour that is derived from flavouring ingredients such as cumin, coriander, ginger, cinnamon, saffron, and red pepper powder. Couscous is another Moroccan staple served with seafood, meat, or vegetables.
Desserts are integral in all Moroccan meals, and homemade desserts made with honey, almonds and other common ingredients are a common sight. Tourists will also like the mint tea for its refreshing aroma and unique flavour.
Harira is a rich soup that tourists should try. Pastilla is pigeon meat pastry that the daring may try. Roasted mutton and hout are also famous, as is strong coffee.
Nightlife
Tourists will appreciate the casinos, discos, bars, and nightclubs in the resort that offer a fine nightlife for tourists. Folk dancing is popular in Morocco, and tourists will appreciate the belly dancing performances with some great drinks.
Shopping
Morocco offers something unique for tourists. Morocco shopping experience is usually a trip to the old medina where each of the numerous small shops specialises in certain items. Clothing, jewellery, and carpets are pretty famous.
Tourists would rather not ask for the price unless prepared to purchase. Also, be prepared to haggle over the price a lot, since the asking price would almost invariably be two times of what you should actually be paying.
Tourists will also appreciate the crafts such as handmade wool carpets, weaving, wood crafts, and copper items. Tourists can also purchase spices.
Facts
| Capital |
Rabat
|
| Largest city |
Casablanca |
| Official languages |
Arabic,[1] others commonly used unofficially. |
| Ethnic groups |
80% Arab-Berber, 20% Berber, 0.8% Sahrawis, 0.3% (French, Spanish other), 0.1% Tuareg[2] |
| Demonym |
Moroccan |
| Government |
Constitutional monarchy |
| - |
King |
Mohammed VI |
| - |
Prime Minister |
Abbas El Fassi |
| Unification |
1554 |
| - |
Unified by Saadi dynasty |
1554 |
| - |
Alaouite dynasty (present) |
1666 |
| - |
Independence from France |
March 2, 1956 |
| - |
Independence from Spain |
April 7, 1956 |
| Area |
| - |
Total |
446,550 km2 (57th)
172,414 sq mi |
| - |
Water (%) |
250km² |
| Population |
| - |
2008-01 estimate |
31,352,000[3] (37th) |
| - |
Density |
70/km2 (122nd)
181/sq mi |
| GDP (PPP) |
2007 estimate |
| - |
Total |
$126.943 billion[4] (54th) |
| - |
Per capita |
$4,093[4] (IMF) (109th) |
| GDP (nominal) |
2007 estimate |
| - |
Total |
$75.116 billion[4] (56th) |
| - |
Per capita |
$2,422[4] (IMF) (108th) |
| HDI (2007) |
▲ 0.646 (medium) (126th) |
| Currency |
Moroccan dirham (MAD) |
| Time zone |
WET (UTC+0) |
| - |
Summer (DST) |
WEST (UTC+1) |
| Drives on the |
right |
| Internet TLD |
.ma |
| Calling code |
212 |
| *All data excludes Western Sahara, much of which is under Moroccan de facto administrative control. |
| 1 |
French is widely used in the government in official texts, and in the business community, though neither instance is 'official.' Moroccan Arabic, an Arabic vernacular is the most common native language. Amazigh or Berber languages are also widely spoken. |