Morocco’s name in Arabic is al-Mamlakah al-Maghrebia, which means the Kingdom of Morocco. The Maghreb word simply means the place where the sun sets. Morocco, located in the extreme west of North Africa, is a modern Muslim kingdom and one of the best tourism destinations in the world.
Morocco has international frontiers with Algeria, Spain, and Mauritania. The sea offers a natural boundary on the north and west of Morocco. In the south and east are the Sahara desert and the mountains that form the border with Algeria. Geographically, Morocco divides into five parts: the coasts (Mediterranean and Atlantic), the cities, the plains, the Rif and Atlas mountains, and the Sahara Desert.
Every town in Morocco revolves, in one way or another, around its central market (souk), which is the heart of all Moroccan cities. Fes El Bali and the medina of Marrakech are virtually a big market except for its famous monuments, craftsmen workshops, madrasas, and palaces.
Other Moroccan cities that have relevant markets are Casablanca and Meknes (close to El-Hedim square). Essaouira souk is no different, and its alleyways start from square Moulay Al Hassan to Bab Marrakech and include crafts shops of thya wood articles, carpets, and babouches. Check our tourist map of Morocco with all the best attractions, and famous travel destinations.
Morocco is organized into 12 regions like Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, Oriental, Fès-Meknès Region, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Draa-Tafilalet, Béni Mellal-Khénifra, Casablanca-Settat, Marrakech-Safi, Souss-Massa, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra, and Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab.
Practical information
- Capital of Morocco: Rabat.
- Area: 710,850 km2.
- Population: 36,472,000.
- King: Mohammed VI.
- Prime Minister: Saadeddine Othmani.
- Official languages: Arabic and Tamazight.
- Spoken languages: Classical Arabic, Moroccan Arabic, Hassaniya Arabic, Tashelhiyt, Tamazight, Tarifit, and French.
- Money: The Moroccan dirham (DH) equivalent to 0.10 Euro.
- International phone code: +212 followed by the phone number.
- Electricity: European connection with an electric current of 220V.
- Tourism visa: Passport with 6 months validity.
Moroccan Cities & Highlights
Tangier
Due to its prolonged contact with European culture, Tangier has a distinct history from any other in Morocco. Tangier used to be an international zone with its specific laws and administration under a group of European legations at the time of colonialism.
Tangier was home to exiles, expatriates, and refugees from Europe but also was the chosen place for some writers like the American novelist Paul Bowles, Allen Ginsberg, and William Burroughs who spent almost a decade of the 1950s in Tangier.
In Tangier is still easy to find your way, as it is divided into two main parts: The new city or Ville Nouvelle, which was built by many European colonizers, and the old medina which is the original Moroccan town.
From Tangier, a visitor can easily reach the most popular northern destination such as Tetouan (UNESCO World Heritage site), and the city of Chefchouen the famous Blue City of Morocco.
South of Tangier, we find other major Moroccan cities such as Fes, Casablanca, and Marrakech. Other small towns in the region worth mentioning are Asilah, and Larache known for its Carthaginian-Roman site of Lixus.
Casablanca
Morocco’s economical capital, Casablanca is the largest Moroccan city by any standards (around 4 million inhabitants), and it is the most modern and Europeanized city. Most of Casablanca streets and avenues are designed by French architects at the time of France protectorate.
