Morocco
Capital: Rabat with population 1 622 860 
Type of Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Time zone: Morocco time is two hours behind Kiev winter time, and 3 hours behind Kiev summer time
Public Holiday: Independence Day from France and Spain March 2
Currency: Dirham
Geography
Climate
History
Moroccan cuisine
People
Nature
Geography
Morocco is washed by the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The Strait of Gibraltar separates Morocco from Europe
Morocco borders with Algeria to the east and southeast and with Western Saharan to the south.
The southeastern boundary, in the Sahara, is not precisely defined. There are also Spanish enclaves on the north coast: Ceuta and Melilla.
The country is divided into four natural regions:
Er Rif or mountain area along the Mediterranean Sea;
The Atlas Mountains, extending across the country in a southwestern to northeastern direction between the Atlantic Ocean and Er Rif, from which the mountains are separated by the Taza Depression;
A region of broad coastal plains along the Atlantic Ocean
The plains and valleys south of the Atlas Mountains, which merge with the Sahara along the southeastern borders of the country;
The highest mountain is Jebel Toubkal (4,165 m), in the Grand Atlas range. Elevations in Er Rif attain heights of 2,450 m. The lowest point is Sebkha Tah -55 m. The main rivers are the Moulouya, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea, and the Sebou, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
Majestic beauty of imperial cities turned out to be a part of the ‘thousand and one night fairy tale’, especially with its towers, small alleys in the medina and the souks. Morocco is a land of contrasts, of rugged mountains and dry deserts, as well as lively, green country sides.
Even In winter time you will enjoy the excellent rest, comfortable gold beaches.
Morocco's capital city is Rabat. Largest cities: Agadir, Casablanca, Marrakech and Fez.
Climate
Morocco has a subtropical climate. Sea and air temperatures on the Atlantic coast are kept lower than along the Mediterranean coast by the cool waters of the Canaries current. Along this coast summer temperatures are significantly cooler than inland and the cold offshore water causes some cloud and fog in summer.
At the rest territory, the weather is dry and hot-with summer temperature 40 °C, and in winter 20 – 25°C.
So, spring is an ideal time to visit the country. The average summer temperature in Agadir is 28 °C and dropping to the night, so it’s recommended to have warm clothes. In winter, there are sometimes snowfalls in mountains.
History
The original inhabitants of Morocco are Berbers. The History of Morocco dates back to 4th century BC when kingdom of Mauritania was formed, conquered by Rome. Later Byzantines captured the coast.
The Treaty of Fes (1912) made Morocco a protectorate of France, Great Britain and for some period of German
The Kingdom of Morocco achieved independence from being a French Protectorate in March 1956 although additional territories held by Spain were joined shortly afterwards – in April 1956.
Morocco is constitutional monarchy. Morocco annexed the Western Sahara during the 1970s after demanding its reintegration from Spain since independence, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved.
Moroccan cuisine
Moroccan cuisine is a very diverse. It is a mix of African, Arab and French cuisines, known for meat courses, sauces, and pastries. Only in Moroccan restaurants you will be able to taste traditional delicacies.
The fist meal is soup with meat and vegetables.
During Ramadan, harira is traditionally served. Harira- tomato based soup with lamb, chickpeas, lentils, and pasta, infused with the flavors of lemon, cinnamon, cilantro, parsley, saffron, and ginger, and thickened with flour and egg.
Popular national dish is tajines - combine lamb or chicken with a medley of ingredients or seasonings:
olives, quinces, apples, pears, apricots, raisins, prunes, dates, and nuts, with fresh or preserved lemons, with or without honey, with or without a complexity of spices.
Also, one of most liked dishes in the Moroccan cuisine is the world famous 'Couscous', made of semolina grains and is usually served with lamb and stewed vegetables.
Traditionally, the main course is meshua (fried lamb).
To regard the guests Moroccans prepare Pastilla. This rich sweet pie is built with many layers. It is cooked on the stove top, and then topped with a sugar icing and cinnamon.
At the end of a Moroccan meal usually served desert. A common dessert is"Gazelle's Horns", an almond-filled pastry scented with orange. Desert usually serves up with Mint tea.
Meant tea is the most popular drink, made by steeping green tea with mint. Traditionally, making good mint tea in Morocco is considered an art form and the drinking of it is one of the important rituals. At one time, mint tea was ceremoniously prepared in front of guests. This tradition still takes place at some formal occasions. During the tea ceremony, the host or hostess sits before a tray holding decorated glasses and two tea pots. Fresh mint leaves (or other herbs), dried green tea leaves, sugar and boiling water should be nearby. The host begins by rinsing the tea pots with boiling water. He then adds the tea leaves to each pot, and rinses the leaves with a little boiling water. The water is discarded. Sugar is added to the pots and the host fills them with boiling water. The tea steeps for several minutes before being stirred, and then the host fills the tea glasses halfway while pouring simultaneously from both pots. The pouring is usually done from a height of twelve inches or more. While the guests drink their fist glass of tea, the host will replenish the pots with more tea leaves and sugar. Large handfuls of fresh mint will also be added, and then the host again fills the pots with boiling water. It is this second pot of tea, fragrant with mint and usually heavily sweetened, that has gained fame both within and outside of Morocco.
People
The people of Morocco are well-known for their warmth, smiling and hospitality. Population is around 29 million mostly Arabs and Berbers.
Arabic is Morocco's official language, also French is widely used and in the northern part of the country speak Spanish.
Marrakesh is a capital of Berbers, located in the area of Atlas Mountain.
Berbers generally live in rural areas. Their housing is usually clay
huts or tents made out of goat hair. In larger villages, however, houses are made of stone. Today, most Berbers are migrant workers who work in Spain or France.
Nature
In the area of the west Atlas Mountain begins a real Africa, geologists said. Climate is hot and dry here. Slopes are 2000 m high with such plants as cactus, bushes, and trees of endemic Argan, with goats climbing up these trees to graze.
River Massa-nature reserve with diverse types of birds. If you come to the river in the early morning you will be able to see a huge number of flamingos.
There are various species of animals such as Antelopes, panthers and foxes. In the water bodies of Morocco, you can find sardines, anchovies, and tuna in large number.
[Tags: Tours to Morocco]
Туры в Марокко (Russian version)
Type of Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Time zone: Morocco time is two hours behind Kiev winter time, and 3 hours behind Kiev summer time
Public Holiday: Independence Day from France and Spain March 2
Currency: Dirham
Geography
Climate
History
Moroccan cuisine
People
Nature
Geography
Morocco is washed by the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The Strait of Gibraltar separates Morocco from Europe
Morocco borders with Algeria to the east and southeast and with Western Saharan to the south.
The southeastern boundary, in the Sahara, is not precisely defined. There are also Spanish enclaves on the north coast: Ceuta and Melilla. The country is divided into four natural regions:
Er Rif or mountain area along the Mediterranean Sea;
The Atlas Mountains, extending across the country in a southwestern to northeastern direction between the Atlantic Ocean and Er Rif, from which the mountains are separated by the Taza Depression;
A region of broad coastal plains along the Atlantic Ocean
The plains and valleys south of the Atlas Mountains, which merge with the Sahara along the southeastern borders of the country;
The highest mountain is Jebel Toubkal (4,165 m), in the Grand Atlas range. Elevations in Er Rif attain heights of 2,450 m. The lowest point is Sebkha Tah -55 m. The main rivers are the Moulouya, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea, and the Sebou, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
Majestic beauty of imperial cities turned out to be a part of the ‘thousand and one night fairy tale’, especially with its towers, small alleys in the medina and the souks. Morocco is a land of contrasts, of rugged mountains and dry deserts, as well as lively, green country sides.
Even In winter time you will enjoy the excellent rest, comfortable gold beaches.
Morocco's capital city is Rabat. Largest cities: Agadir, Casablanca, Marrakech and Fez.
Climate
Morocco has a subtropical climate. Sea and air temperatures on the Atlantic coast are kept lower than along the Mediterranean coast by the cool waters of the Canaries current. Along this coast summer temperatures are significantly cooler than inland and the cold offshore water causes some cloud and fog in summer.
At the rest territory, the weather is dry and hot-with summer temperature 40 °C, and in winter 20 – 25°C.So, spring is an ideal time to visit the country. The average summer temperature in Agadir is 28 °C and dropping to the night, so it’s recommended to have warm clothes. In winter, there are sometimes snowfalls in mountains.
History
The original inhabitants of Morocco are Berbers. The History of Morocco dates back to 4th century BC when kingdom of Mauritania was formed, conquered by Rome. Later Byzantines captured the coast.
The Treaty of Fes (1912) made Morocco a protectorate of France, Great Britain and for some period of German
The Kingdom of Morocco achieved independence from being a French Protectorate in March 1956 although additional territories held by Spain were joined shortly afterwards – in April 1956.
Morocco is constitutional monarchy. Morocco annexed the Western Sahara during the 1970s after demanding its reintegration from Spain since independence, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved.
Moroccan cuisine
Moroccan cuisine is a very diverse. It is a mix of African, Arab and French cuisines, known for meat courses, sauces, and pastries. Only in Moroccan restaurants you will be able to taste traditional delicacies.
The fist meal is soup with meat and vegetables.
During Ramadan, harira is traditionally served. Harira- tomato based soup with lamb, chickpeas, lentils, and pasta, infused with the flavors of lemon, cinnamon, cilantro, parsley, saffron, and ginger, and thickened with flour and egg.
Popular national dish is tajines - combine lamb or chicken with a medley of ingredients or seasonings:
olives, quinces, apples, pears, apricots, raisins, prunes, dates, and nuts, with fresh or preserved lemons, with or without honey, with or without a complexity of spices. Also, one of most liked dishes in the Moroccan cuisine is the world famous 'Couscous', made of semolina grains and is usually served with lamb and stewed vegetables.
Traditionally, the main course is meshua (fried lamb).
To regard the guests Moroccans prepare Pastilla. This rich sweet pie is built with many layers. It is cooked on the stove top, and then topped with a sugar icing and cinnamon.
At the end of a Moroccan meal usually served desert. A common dessert is"Gazelle's Horns", an almond-filled pastry scented with orange. Desert usually serves up with Mint tea.
Meant tea is the most popular drink, made by steeping green tea with mint. Traditionally, making good mint tea in Morocco is considered an art form and the drinking of it is one of the important rituals. At one time, mint tea was ceremoniously prepared in front of guests. This tradition still takes place at some formal occasions. During the tea ceremony, the host or hostess sits before a tray holding decorated glasses and two tea pots. Fresh mint leaves (or other herbs), dried green tea leaves, sugar and boiling water should be nearby. The host begins by rinsing the tea pots with boiling water. He then adds the tea leaves to each pot, and rinses the leaves with a little boiling water. The water is discarded. Sugar is added to the pots and the host fills them with boiling water. The tea steeps for several minutes before being stirred, and then the host fills the tea glasses halfway while pouring simultaneously from both pots. The pouring is usually done from a height of twelve inches or more. While the guests drink their fist glass of tea, the host will replenish the pots with more tea leaves and sugar. Large handfuls of fresh mint will also be added, and then the host again fills the pots with boiling water. It is this second pot of tea, fragrant with mint and usually heavily sweetened, that has gained fame both within and outside of Morocco.
People
The people of Morocco are well-known for their warmth, smiling and hospitality. Population is around 29 million mostly Arabs and Berbers.
Arabic is Morocco's official language, also French is widely used and in the northern part of the country speak Spanish.
Marrakesh is a capital of Berbers, located in the area of Atlas Mountain.
Berbers generally live in rural areas. Their housing is usually clay
huts or tents made out of goat hair. In larger villages, however, houses are made of stone. Today, most Berbers are migrant workers who work in Spain or France. Nature
In the area of the west Atlas Mountain begins a real Africa, geologists said. Climate is hot and dry here. Slopes are 2000 m high with such plants as cactus, bushes, and trees of endemic Argan, with goats climbing up these trees to graze.
River Massa-nature reserve with diverse types of birds. If you come to the river in the early morning you will be able to see a huge number of flamingos.
There are various species of animals such as Antelopes, panthers and foxes. In the water bodies of Morocco, you can find sardines, anchovies, and tuna in large number.
[Tags: Tours to Morocco]
Туры в Марокко (Russian version)
