The Kingdom of Morocco is located in northwest Africa. It is a place where European influences have mixed with Berber customs and Arab culture for centuries, creating an unusual cultural mix. Morocco is currently focused on tourism and is increasingly benefiting from this sector of the economy.
Morocco is one of the Maghreb countries. This is what the Arabs called the region during their expansion in the Middle Ages. It is a small country, occupying less than half a million square kilometers. The terrain and climate here are very diverse, which is due to its geographical location. In the north, the natural border is the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, and in the west, the Atlantic Ocean. Along the coast, there are lush green oases, date and olive groves. Tourism is the main industry here, although Morocco has much more to offer than just sandy beaches and seaside resorts.
The interior of the country has a drier climate. Most of the country is the mountainous Atlas range, with Africa's highest peak, Jabal Toubkal (4167 m above sea level), home to the continent's only ski resort. However, in the south, the sands of the world's largest desert, the Sahara, begin. Although the landscape is very diverse, temperatures remain the same throughout the country. In July, it ranges from 35 to 44 degrees Celsius, and in the coldest month, January, it is 10-12 degrees Celsius.
Morocco has a hereditary constitutional monarchy, although in reality the ruler's position in relation to parliament is much stronger. The head of state is the king, currently Mohammed VI, who ascended the throne in 1999. The capital is Rabat. Although the official language is Arabic, and most of the population speaks Berber dialects, it is curious that French is most often used in both business and politics. The population exceeds 32 million people, most of whom are followers of Islam. A certain minority is Christians and Jews.
The regions of Morocco have always been inhabited by nomadic Berber tribes. In the fourth century BC, the land was a Moorish state, which was conquered by the Romans after the collapse of Carthage. For many centuries, they remained under their rule, only briefly capturing Byzantium, and eventually became the property of the Arab world and Islam. The nineteenth century marked the clash of influences in this area between colonial powers, mainly France and Great Britain. It is this rich history, linked to different cultural circles, that has left its mark on the colorful image of the state today.
Nowadays, Morocco is focused on tourism and is increasingly benefiting from this sector of the economy. In addition to the already mentioned beautiful beaches, travelers are also attracted by the monuments and exotic culture. You can experience and enjoy the opportunity to shop at traditional fairs, watch the camel trade or ride these unusual animals. Also worth seeing are the ancient Roman excavations or the medieval masterpieces of Islamic architecture. Be sure to try the resinous black coffee.
Situated on the west coast, at the mouth of the Bou Ragrag River, the fortress of Chellah was founded in the 12th century near a former Roman settlement. It was originally a fortified camp for military expeditions to the Iberian Peninsula. In the 17th century, Muslims began to settle here - refugees expelled from the peninsula by Christian rulers. For centuries, the city was a center of piracy in the western Mediterranean.
