Land of the setting sun, Morocco is a geographical mosaic . Between myth and reality, among the beautiful memories of Volubilis and of Magados, facing the magnificent history of the Al Moradises and Almohades, the people of the Berber population maintain their proud identity. With the ocean just opposite, strikethrough bows and lined mountainous desert landscapes form a thousand pictures. Lovers of big space, Morocco offers you a wide range of of panoramic activities to discover.
Located at the NW tip of the African continent, Morocco has two coastlines, the Atlantic ocean (West) and the Mediterenean (north). Morocco is 15km away from Europe. It has 3,400 of the Sea Coast on a total area of 710,850km. The central region appears largely on the Atlantic ocean and consists of a set of fertile plains and mountains and plateaus surrounded by two majestic mountain ranges, the Rif ( North) and the Atlas ( East and South) Beyond the mountains lay the steppes of the eastern anti-Atlas and the Western Sahara.
The people are always welcoming and committed to their secular tradition whose most obvious manifestations are the Souks of the weekly or big festivals as the Moussems. the ethnic diversity is reflected both in the variety of costumes . They are rif Saharan and others in the same type of habitat often hooked asin the north, the mountain slopes or narrow (Valley of Dia and Dades) in the defensive Ksour.
January 1 New Year’s Day
January 11 Independence manifesto
March 3 Throne festival
May 1 Labor Day
May 23 National Day
July 9 Youth celebration
August 14 Allegiance of Oued El Eddahab
August 20 Anniversary of the revolution of the King and people
November 6 Anniversary of the Green March
November 18 Independence Day
February Day Amandiers to TAFRAOUTE.
March Festival the Nomad (Mhamid el ghizlane)
April Moussem Sidi Naji (Mhamid el ghizlane)
May Pink region of OUARZAZATE
June Festival of Sacred Music in FES.
June Festival Gnawa in ESSAOUIRA.
July Festival of Popular Arts in MARRAKECH.
September Moussem of IMILCHIL.
October Dates in ERFOUD
October Festival Taragalte(Mhamid el ghizlane)
The constitution guarantees freedom of worship .Islam is the religion practised by virtually all Moroccans. The jewish and christian religions are also particularly present in Morocco.
Climate varies according to the continental nature of the major part of the mountainous region where the temperaturechanges between day time and night. Winter and summer also very pronounced. The Saharan climate is beyond the Atlas while the coastal areas enjoy a mediterenean climate with moderate temperature and relative humidity.
Morocco is ademocratic and social constitutional monarchy. The constitution guarantees all citizens fundamental freedom of movement, opinion, expression and adherence to any union or political choice. The king, Amin Mourminine, supreme commander of the faithful, the highest representative of the nation is the guarantor of permanence and continuity of the state. Legislative power is exercised by a board of representatives that include members elected by direct universal voting for a third of the members elected by electoral colleges.
The “Tagine” is the national dish made of vegetables and meet stewed in a day pot with olive oil and a mixture of spices. They can be varried depending on the season of vegetables and meet stew in a day pot with olive oil and a mixture of spices. they can be varied depending on the season. By adding or combining sweet and chilly ones such as quine or plum.
The “couscous” course is also very common.
The “pastilla” delicious pastry, traditionally stuffed with pigeon meat, onions, almonds and honey.
The “barbecue” baked in a clay oven cone and fragrant with cumin.
The “kefta”, meatballs chopped.
The “Harira”, thick soup made from beans, with beef and mutton.
The Moroccan pastries with the famous “horns of gazelles”.
Mint tea is the national drink. It is automatically mellitus. If you do not like sugar, mention it when you make your order. Mineral waters and drinks are also produced and available in Morocco.
Before taking people’s photos, especially women, it is good to ask for permission. For Djemaa leaders, El Fnaa negotiate the tip before taking a photo. The camera films are found in Morocco. However, you should have a look at them before leaving. This will help you to be sure to have what is suitable at a cheaper price and similarly for Camcorder tapes. This also applies to Camescope ( at customs, video cameras must be declared and included in the passport)
Only stores in new towns and state craft artisanal offer fixed prices. among the souks, you must burgain. It is a rule and at the same time a game. You may even be taken to take menthol tea in order to reach an agreement in negotiation.
The currency used is Dirham. the exchange rate is fixed by the stateand is common in hotels and in forex bureaus where the bank rate is approximately 1 euro (10,7D) . Traveler’s cheques and Euro cheques are accepted in most banks as well as credit cards . They are also accepted in large stores. Importation and exportation of Dirham is forbidden. Keep the change slips in order to change the remaining Dirhams at the airport when you will be travelling back. Banks are open from Monday to Friday , 8.15a.m to 11.30a.m and from 12.15p.m to 4p.m. The schedule continues in summer from 8 a.m to 3p.m and during Rmadan from 9 to 2 p.m.
No vaccination is required. However it is advisable to guard oneselfagainst possible intestinal upsets. Some precautions to be taken: do not put ice in drinks. Clean fruits. Peel or remove the outer covering and also do not drink tap water.
