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| Morocco. |
Morocco Facts & Information
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| Location
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Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the
Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara |
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| Climate
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Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior |
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| Terrain
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Northern coast and interior are mountainous
with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys,
and rich coastal plains |
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| Population
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32,725,847 |
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| Nationality
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Moroccan |
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| Ethnic groups
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Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2% |
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| Religions
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Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2% |
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| Languages
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Arabic |
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| Government Type
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Constitutional monarchy |
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| Capital
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Rabat |
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| Currency
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Moroccan dirham (MAD) |
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| Description of Flag
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Red with a green pentacle known as Sulayman's
seal in the center of the flag; red and green are traditional
colors in Arab flags, although the use of red is more commonly
associated with the Arab states of the Persian gulf; design
dates to 1912. |
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| Morocco Flag
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More Information
 www.cia.gov
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Morocco Culture
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The people of Morocco are well-known
for their warmth, hospitality and inhibition. It is very common
to be showered with invitations for coffee or tea throughout
one’s stay. In fact, it is not unheard of for someone
to invite you to their house or offer you some mint tea while
you’re shopping in their boutique. It is not unusual for
these invitations to be extended after having just met someone
(a taxi driver or a tour guide) or after minutes of brief conversation.
Such invitations |
are part of the culture and should not be frowned upon or looked
at with suspicion or shock. A genuine and polite decline is all it
takes if you’re uninterested. Etiquette and manners are highly
regarded in Morocco and Westerners and foreigners should take every
effort to adhere to such customs.
The status of women in Morocco is not nearly the same as in those
of Western nations. If you are a woman traveling alone or with other
women, it is advisable you follow certain practices to avoid any
uncomfortable or uneasy situations. It is not common for women to
be seen alone or unaccompanied after dark or in bars or nightclubs.
Additionally, women should take extra precaution in their dress,
being especially careful not to wear anything revealing or offensive.
Women traveling alone will often be asked if they are married, and
if not, how come (sometimes even followed by marriage proposals!).
Use the same sense in dealing with these situations here as you
would at home. Often, women traveling alone will wear a fake, cheap
ring on their wedding finger to avoid any unwelcome advances or
questions.
Many of these unspoken rules or practices are not widespread across
the entire country, especially in bigger cities such as Casablanca.
Because Morocco has many etiquette rules and practices, it is recommended
you read up on the culture as much as you can before you go. Never
let the fear or angst of not fitting in or sticking out keep you
from enjoying such a magical place. When in doubt, look around and
follow local custom and behavior - even the smallest attempt at
understanding their culture is a welcome gesture to Moroccans.
More Information
www.cia.gov
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Morocco Shopping
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The most exciting shopping one
will do while in Morocco is in the souks or bazaars. Most likely,
the type of merchandise you will leave with are crafts, rugs
or jewelry. When shopping in markets, be prepared to be pressured
by vendors into buying anything and everything you’re
simply eyeing. Shop around and don’t be intimidated by
them, as it is highly likely you’ll find better deals
the more you look around. Practice your haggling before you
go! In most places, vendors expect you to bargain with them, |
and it is one of the more exciting aspects of shopping. This holds
true for shops as well. Shopkeepers will often give you a deal if
you’re persistent enough and your offer isn’t so low that
it is deemed offensive.
If you want to leave Morocco with a rug or carpet (and you probably
will) do your research before you go. Virtually all big cities in
the country are crawling with carpet shops, and quality varies from
place to place. As with other merchandise, don’t settle with
the first shop you visit. Wander around and you will be more likely
to leave with a better choice and deal.
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Morocco Restaurants
We’ve provided listings for some of the top restaurants
in Morocco including Casablanca, Agadir, Ifrane, Meknes, and more.
You’ll find lavish gourmet restaurants, affordable restaurants
serving up good food, and everything in between. Sample traditional
Moroccan cuisine or other specialty cuisines that are sure to
make your taste buds happy.
Read reviews entered by other patrons and be sure to return to
our site to submit your own restaurant review.
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Morocco Travel Guides
Frommer's Morocco
Lonely Planet Morocco
Let's Go Morocco
Fodors Morocco
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