Morocco. Country Description

From the Arabic language (al-Maghrib) is translated as "west", or, in other words, Maghrib al-Aqsa, which means "far west". There is another official name: al-Mamlaka al-Maghribiya, which means "Kingdom of Morocco".

More detailed information about this stunning, with unique natural landscapes, African country and its cities can be found in this article.

The state of Morocco is magnificent and surprisingly beautiful! The cities in it are exotic and attractive, each of them represents a peculiar culture and an interesting history of the country's centuries-old development.

Before we start talking about this African country and its cities, let us recall some information about it. Since May 1963, it has been part of the OAU (Organization of African Unity), which since 2002 has been renamed AU. Since November 1984, the state of Morocco withdrew from this organization.

Morocco

Its cities are located in 16 administrative regions, into which the entire territory of the state is divided.

The country is located on the African continent in its northwestern part and belongs to the region called Its capital - the city of Rabat (population over 1 million 720 thousand people), located off the coast Atlantic Ocean... This is the northern part of the Moroccan kingdom.

The state, thanks to fairly even favorable climatic conditions, especially in coastal zones, direct access to the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, and due to internal stability and the absence of any conflicts, is one of the most comfortable, favorable places for tourism and recreation on the whole continent. And the government of this state is investing a lot to create conditions conducive to the further development of this very direction in Morocco.

Largest cities

• Casablanca- the economic capital of the state over 3 million 630 thousand people).

• Fez - imperial city, the spiritual capital (population over 1 million people).

• Tangier- 2nd economic capital, center of the Tangier-Tetouana region, (over 730 thousand people).

• Marrakesh- the tourist capital (population over 850 thousand).

• Meknes- a kind of small Paris, an agricultural capital (more than 570 thousand people).

• Agadir- the second capital for tourism.

Although the official capital is Rabat, the most Big City countries - Casablanca. Morocco, in addition to magnificent landscapes, has many historical sights in its cities. I would especially like to note in Casablanca, which has the highest minaret in the world, as well as the Russian necropolis at the Ben-Msik (Christian) cemetery, created in 2007. The most famous Russian figures who lived abroad are buried in the latter.

sights

A special place in the Moroccan kingdom is given to the most ancient and rich history of the state. Here you can see an abundance and a huge variety of architectural and historical monuments from different eras. Casablanca occupies a special place in this regard.

Morocco is a state that has changed several capitals over its history. They are of particular interest to tourists. For example, in today's capital there are many museums, the mausoleum of Mohammed V, the famous Andalusian gardens, the Kasbah Udaya (ancient fortress).

In the city of Marrakech there are renowned amazing beauty palaces and mosques.

One of the most beautiful oldest cities world is Fez, in which more than 800 stunningly beautiful mosques were built, the mausoleum and the former residence of the king are located.

The Kingdom of Morocco, with a favorable climate, excellent resorts and a well-developed economy, occupies one of the leading positions in the continent of Africa.

Beni Mellal town

This is one of the former capitals of Morocco in the Middle Ages. The city was shopping center South Africa, on the site of which 6 major roads converged, leading from Europe itself and from the center of the Sahara Desert. This contributed to the prosperity of the entire region.

Geographically, Beni Mellal is located at the bottom of the Middle Atlas ridge, which allows the city to hide from strong hot winds coming from the desert. And the climate here is quite humid.

The city is famous for its numerous orange and banana orchards, which bring huge profits to the state.

There are wonderful natural and architectural attractions, such as the fortress-palace of Hadi Pasha on a steep cliff overhanging the city. It houses an interesting museum displaying numerous household items and weapons from previous centuries.

City of beaches

The port city of the state of Morocco is El Jadida. It attracts numerous beach lovers.

In the 15th century, part of the territory of Morocco came under the protectorate of Portugal, including El Jadida. In order to protect this land from local population the Portuguese built a fortress, which they controlled until 1769. Mohammed Abdallah (Moroccan sultan) took over this fortress in the 18th century. During the reign of the city by French colonists, it was called Mazagan. Modern name El Jadida returned in 1956.

The main attraction of the city is the same Portuguese fortress Mazagan, from where an amazing view of the coast opens. The fortress itself consists of four bastions that have survived from those times:

In the eastern part there is the Angel's Bastion;

In the north - the bastion of St. Sebastian;

Bastion of St. Antoine in the west;

In the south - the bastion of the Holy Spirit.

A cistern, which was once used as a city reservoir, has also survived in the city. Also here you can see the Great Mosque and the Church of the Annunciation.

Conclusion

In terms of geography, Morocco is the most "European" state of all African countries. Cities, each with its own history and splendor, fabulous nature, the close location of Spain (15 kilometers by water, fantastic sandy oceanic and sea coasts, beautiful mountain landscapes and a favorable climate - all this is inherent in this amazing exotic corner of the Earth.

To experience all these delights, you should go and relax in Morocco.

AGADIR

Agadir is one of the most popular centers for modern tourism in Morocco. Agadir is located on the shores of the Atlantic coast in the Su Valley, and the High Atlas Mountains protect it from the hot air from the desert. Agadir is similar to all major European resorts, its long beach stretches for 10 km. The beach is sandy, the sand is golden, fragrant eucalyptus and pine trees grow around. Agadir is considered the most beautiful Moroccan resort. Agadir hotels are very popular among Europeans.

Nowadays Agadir has become a real epicenter of fun and celebration. All oriental entertainment is presented in full: hookahs, deep sea fishing, golf, tennis, camel riding and Arabian horse riding - all these pleasures are provided by many hotels in Agadir. There are many nightclubs and discos, shops and boutiques popular among young people in the city.

In addition to a developed network of hotels of various levels, there are many restaurants in Agadir. You can find anything you want, even restaurants with Chinese and Japanese cuisine, but traditional Arabic cuisine is very widespread. There are a lot of fish restaurants in Agadir, where any freshly caught fish can be prepared for you.

Problems with buying alcohol, typical for most Islamic resorts, are absent in Agadir. Alcohol is sold everywhere, but only until 8 pm.

MARRAKESH

Marrakech is the soul and heart of the Moroccan East. On the Djemaa el Fna square, you can meet people in bizarre costumes, as if they came from an Arabian fairy tale. Acrobats and snake charmers perform here, carry water with water carriers, just like many centuries ago. The market quarter is equally popular among both Europeans and locals, everything here is real, authentic. This is not a decoration for tourists, but life itself. Moroccans will apply bizarre henna patterns on your hands, thousands of souvenirs in different styles are sold in shops - lamps, carpets, ornaments. Hotels in Marrakech vary in star rating, but always offer good service and the incomparable atmosphere of the East.

The center of Marrakech is called Medina and is a museum under open air... Here, the mausoleum of Yusuf bin Tashfin, the Kutoubia mosque, and the Bahia palace are adjacent. If you love winter sports and hotels in Marrakech are not the only purpose of your holiday, keep in mind that there is a ski resort 75 km from Marrakech.

ESSUIRA

Essueira used to be a pirate city, it is located 170 km north of Agadir. It is a charming town with Moorish architecture, similar to the towns in the south of Spain. Essaouira has always been home to scholars and artists from all over Morocco. Here you can practice windsurfing almost all year round, so this resort is very popular among fans of this sport.

CASABLANCA

Casablanca is the largest city in Morroco and the business center of the country. In the center of the city there are skyscrapers and the huge Hassan II mosque, which can accommodate 25 thousand people. Casablanca houses the offices of banks, companies and foreign corporations. Here it is international Airport named after Mohammed V, which is built using the most modern technologies.

FES

Fez is a recognized center of cultural tourism with a large number of most interesting museums... Fez hats were first invented in Fez. 15 km from the city there is a modern thermal center where you can improve your health.

MEKNES

The city of Meknes is located amidst beautiful and serene nature. It is a monument of antiquity. In the 17th century, Sultan Mulei Ishmael decided to embody his dreams in stone. Graceful palaces, beautiful mosques and lush gardens and parks are monuments of architecture that will be of interest to every curious tourist.

TANGER

The population of Tangier is 266 346 inhabitants. Tangier stretches out like an amphitheater on the picturesque coast of a sea bay. In the center of the city are the blue and white buildings of the old city, with minarets on the rocks, on the left side modern high-rise buildings of new districts rise, and on the right the buildings of the prestigious La Montagne district are buried in the greenery of manicured gardens.

Tangier is one of the largest seaports and a very popular international resort with an extensive hotel chain. There are many ancient monuments in the city, the nature is very similar to the south of France, the beaches are in excellent condition. The climate is mild Mediterranean: in winter the average temperature does not drop below + 13 ° С, in summer - below + 23 ° С.

Regions of Morocco are called regions, and there are sixteen of them. Only thirteen regions are located on the territory of Morocco itself. One area, which the Moroccan government attaches to the composition of the country, is completely located in the territory of the annexed Western Sahara, and two are partially.

Northern regions Morocco

Fes-Bullman. The main city of this region of Morocco is the famous Fez. Although the area does not have access to the ocean, tourists flock here in large numbers. Attracts travelers Old city, founded in the 9th century, with winding streets and monuments ancient architecture... Also of interest are the artisan areas of Fez, such as the tanners 'quarter and the potters' quarter.

Garb-Shrarda-Beni-Hsen. The region is located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Its central city is Kenitra, a port located on the Cebu River. The ocean coast is 12 km away from here, the city is one of the industrial centers of Morocco.

Tangier-Tetouan. One of the most maritime regions of Morocco. The region is washed by the Mediterranean Sea from the northeast, the Strait of Gibraltar from the north, and the Atlantic Ocean from the west. The center of the region is Tangier. This port and industrial city attracts tourists with its peculiar flavor, in which European influence is mixed with typical Arab traditions. Around Tangier and across the region as a whole, there are a considerable number of beaches. The resort town of Asila is notable.

Taza El Hoceima Taunat. Taza is the main town in this inland region of Morocco. It is here that many famous Moroccan carpets are made.

Eastern. This region of Morocco is bordered by Algeria and the territories controlled by Spain. Her main city, Oujda, is a junction in Morocco's rail and road network.

Central regions of Morocco

Meknes-Tafilalet. Border region with Algeria Morocco. Central city area, Meknes, is famous for its old town and picturesque ruins in the vicinity, the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Volubilis.

Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer. The coastal region of Morocco stretches around the capital of the kingdom of Rabat. The capital is full of sights, and there are many beaches along the coast. Rabat is the seat of the royal family of Morocco. Among the attractions of the area are the National Zoo of Morocco.

Greater Casablanca. This small area at the very edge of the Atlantic Ocean is the economic center of Morocco. The largest city in the kingdom, Casablanca, is located here. This huge port harmoniously combines the features of antiquity in the form of the streets of the Old Town and the details of modern life.

Shavia-Ouardiga. The Atlantic coast of this region of Morocco is quite insignificant. The administrative center of the region is the city of Settat. Its biggest attraction is the Ismail Fortress right in the center of the city.

Dukkala Abda. This area stretches along the Atlantic coast. In addition to beaches and others tourist places there are barite mines here. And the central city of Safi is also a major port of Morocco.

Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz. This region of Morocco also has access to the Atlantic coast. , the central city of the region, is a kind of Mecca for tourists, invariably attracting hundreds and thousands of tourists here.

Sousse-Massa. This area stretches across all of Morocco, from the border to the ocean coast. The local administrative center, Agadir, is one of the cities most open to tourists. The main beach activity of Morocco is concentrated in Agadir and its surroundings.

Tadla-Azilal. A small area in the central part of Morocco, equidistant from both the ocean and the desert. The Middle Atlas ridge with Mount Tassemite passes through it. At its foot is the administrative center of the region, the city of Beni Mellal.

Southern regions of Morocco

The three regions here are disputed territories, since they were annexed by Morocco from Western Sahara.

The southern half of this area is part of Western Sahara, annexed by Morocco from its neighbors. The local administrative center, the city of Gulimin, is famous for its camel market.

El Aaiun - Boujdour - Segiet el Hamra. Another territory annexed from Western Sahara almost completely. Its central city is El Aaiun.

Wadi al-Dahab al-Kuvira. This coastal area is also a disputed territory of Morocco. The central city of the region is Dakhla, around which there are excellent conditions for various types of surfing.

Rabat. The capital of Morocco has retained the historical flavor of the eastern city. On the first day of exploring the city, it may seem to tourists that the townspeople are rather distrustful of foreigners, but this is only an external impression behind which the traditional oriental hospitality is hidden. Sights: The most famous historical site the city is the Hassan Tower, the unfinished minaret of the great mosque, construction of which began under Jacob al-Manzor and was halted after the 1755 earthquake. Nearby is the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the father of the current king. Museum of Muslim Art, former Royal Palace, keeps the richest collections of oriental jewelry, tapestries, wooden sculptures, silk, wool and gold brocade fabrics. On the other side of the city wall, dividing the old and new town, there are the ruins of the ancient city of Sala. History buffs should visit the Moroccan Archaeological Museum. The old part of the city, Medina, has a long history.

Marrakesh. Without a doubt, the heart of the Moroccan East is Marrakech. Water carriers in picturesque old costumes, snake charmers, bazaar acrobats. Reach out to the henna painter - and in ten minutes the hand will be covered with an intricate pattern that never repeats. The market quarter does not leave indifferent either Europeans or Arabs. Center of Marrakech - Medina - history revived: the mausoleum of Yusuf bin Tashfin, the Golden Apples Mosque, Bahia Palace.

Agadir. Snow-white Agadir is considered the pearl of modern tourism in Morocco. It is located in a picturesque corner of the Atlantic coast in the Su Valley, protected from the heat of the desert by the High Atlas Mountains. The atmosphere reigns here European resort... Agadir beach stretches for 10 kilometers. Covered with golden sand and surrounded by green eucalyptus and pine trees, it is recognized as the most beautiful and most hospitable of all Moroccan resorts. There are all kinds of entertainment that are cultivated in the East and sea resorts: hookah smoking, camel riding, sea fishing, horse riding on the beach, golf and tennis. There are a great many nightclubs and discos, as well as constant festivals, pop concerts and a variety of shows. Shops and chic boutiques along the coast beckon with inviting open doors.

Casablanca. Casablanca is not only a large cosmopolitan, but also the largest city in Morocco. It is considered the business capital of Morocco.
Sights: This port city fell into disrepair in the past when the French decided to redesign it. There were boulevards, parks and imposing civilian buildings. In the Casablanca Medina, or Old Quarter, take a look at the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world. It also houses the palace of Mohammed V, the most striking example of Moorish architecture. The old town retains the flavor of the eastern city - narrow streets framed by numerous shops with goods.

Fez- the religious and cultural center of Morocco, former capital country. The fertile land, filled with underground waters, has a rich, centuries-old history. The inhabitants of Fez are distinguished by a special character, which was born from the fusion of many cultures and traditions: the Arabs brought nobility, the natives of Spain sophistication, the Jews - cunning, the Berbers - tolerance.

Essueira. Impregnable fortress Mogador, now Essueira, was the African capital of the hippies in the 60s and 70s, where young people from all over Europe gathered. Here everything is confused: the howls of the mullah, the inviting cries of merchants, the roar of motorcycles, the noise of the surf, nothing stands still, everything moves, moves, moves ...
Sights: One of the local attractions is the almost untouched slave market. It was here that was one of the few places where African captives were collected to be sent to the other side of the Atlantic. Among the many historical monuments is the former Pasha's residence and now the Sidi Mohammed bin Abdullah Museum, a treasure trove of local art treasures.
Relaxation: Here you can rent a floor of a house for $ 40 a day and live there with four or six, or whatever will fit. Or you can stay in a luxury hotel on the outskirts of the city, where everything is decorous, respectable and alcohol is prohibited. Vacationers and tourists, especially windsurfing enthusiasts, appreciate it for the highest wave on the coast and a light constant breeze.

Not far from Essueira is the city Safi... Conquered by the Portuguese, it was once the center of the country's business life.
Sights: Numerous historical monuments of that time have been preserved here - the residence of governors and sultans, the magical "castle of the sea" Dar el Bar, a unique medieval Portuguese chapel, the Kehla fortress, which has now become a museum of national ceramics. Clay stone - business card Safi.

Lagoon Oualida. A fabulous, extraordinary place located near the city of El Jadida.
Zidi Bouzid... A very beautiful resort town located near Oualida.

Natural attractions

The ocean, colorful mountains, mountain lakes, eucalyptus, palm and thuja forests, fields and steppes, the Sahara with its sands and oases - all this is Morocco.