"Morocco at is best" Morocco by amsterdam_vallon

Morocco is the tantalising lower lip on the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea, a Muslim land so rich in mystique it seems to hover like a magic carpet somewhere between myth and reality. Tangier, Casablanca, Marrakesh...just the names of these cities and towns should stir a hint of spice in the nostrils of the most geographically challenged. Many Moroccan destinations have been mythologised, and for good reason, but the more jaded traveller may well moan about the extinction of the 'real' Morocco. Still others will extol the country's unique living history, its shimmering light, its art. The truth lies somewhere in between.

Morocco is the ideal starting point for the traveller to Africa. An easy hop from Europe, it can be a friendly, hectic and stimulating place to get around in. Open-air markets throughout the country are piled high with rugs, woodwork, and jewellery. The country's prime produce (if you don't count the hashish) is leather - said to be the softest in the world.

Travellers to Morocco should avoid political gatherings and demonstrations. Those planning to travel through the disputed territory of Western Sahara should note that armed clashes between the Polisano Front and Moroccan authorities are a possibility. Many areas of the Western Sahara are mined.

Full country name: Kingdom of Morocco
Area: 447,000 sq km
Population: 29 million
Capital city: Rabat
People: 55% Arab, 44% Berber, 0.7% foreigners
Languages: Arabic (officially) with Berber dialects, as well as French, Spanish and English.
Religion: 98% Muslim, 1% Christian, 1% Jew
Government: Constitutional monarchy
King: King Mohammed VI
Prime Minister: Abderrahmane El Youssoufi

GDP: US$107 billion
GDP per head: US$3,200
Annual growth: 6.8%
Inflation: 6%
Major industries: Agriculture, manufacturing, fishing, tourism
Major trading partners: EU, US, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Brazil

Facts for the traveler

Visas: All visitors require a passport. Citizens of the UK, EU, US, Australia and New Zealand do not need visas. Three-month visitor's stamps can be extended by Immigration or Bureau des Etrangers in most large towns.
Health risks: Malaria lurks in the northern coastal reaches of Morocco, but generally the country is one of Africa's least daunting healthwise. Medical treatment, however, can be very expensive.
Time: GMT/UTC
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz (110V in some older places)
Weights & measures: Metric

Taken from the Lonely planet website

King Mohammed VI

A great way to discover Morocco is by living in a morocan family. I was lucky enough to do that with my aunt and my uncle (who is morocan). As part of a 21 days trip i went all the way around morocco to discover a great muslim country full of tradition.

In this travel pages, you will find some good info and pictures of the most interresting place of Morocco (Essaouira, Marakech, Casablanca, Zagora, Rabat, Fès) and Ceuta a spanish enclave in Africa

Road to the desert

Here you can have a direct link to all the cities I visited during my trip to Morocco.

My first week :
- Volubilis
- Fes
- Marrakesh

My second week :
- Ouarzazate
- Boumalne
- Tinerhir
- Zagora
- M'Hamid
- Essaouira

My third week
- Rabat

My staging point :
- Casablanca under contruction...

• Pros:The weather, the people and the "Tajine"
• Cons:Everythings cost something...from the toilet to park a car !!!