Morocco

Brief History: Inhabited since prehistoric times, Morocco has been prized for its strategic location connecting Europe to the rest of the Mahgreb.

First inhabited by the indiginous Berbers, it was colonized by Phoenicians between the 8th and 6th century BCE, before the city-state of Carthage expanded into the region in the 5th century, becoming the state Mauretania which did business with the Roman Empire before being annexed in 44 AD.

With the fall of the Roman Empire, parts of Mauretania were reconquered by Berber tribes, before the Umayyad Caliphate conquered the region and established client states over the 700s, with the Arab-Muslim Idrisid dynasty ruling from 788 to 974. From the 11th century onwards, various Berber dynasties rose and fell, culminating in the reunification of Morocco by the Alaouite dynasty in 1631, which holds power to this day.

With Europe’s industrialization, over the early 1900s, the French and Spanish established protectorates in parts of the country, bringing colonists to Morocco and sparking riots. As France’s control of the region increased, as did friction between the locals and colonists, culminating in the country’s independence from France in 1956 as
“The Kingdom of Morocco,” the Spanish enclave of Ifni in the south returned to Morocco in 1969.

Climate/Geography: While it has deserts to the south, Morocco is more known for its mountains, the Rif mountains along the north shore and the Atlas mountains to central and south. As a result, much of Morocco—particularly by the coast—has a moderate, more mediterranean climate, similar to southern California.
Economy/Industries: The major engines of the Moroccan economy are phosphate minerals, agriculture, and tourism. Industry and mining contribute about a third of the GDP, with the country as the leading producer of phosphate (which has a variety of uses, most notably fertilizers). Other minerals have been mined in the region since prehistoric times, including copper, salt, lead, and silver, Morocco being the highest silver and lead producers in Africa.

In the rainy sections of the northwest, barley, wheat, and other cereals can be raised without irrigation. On the extensive plains on the Atlantic coast, olives, citrus fruits, and wine grapes are grown and the fishing grounds off shore are exceptionally rich in sardines, bonito, and tuna. Morocco supplies 70% of the European hashish market, cultivated in the area surrounding the Rif mountains. The rolling hills of the same mountains provide ample grazing land for livestock—primarily chicken, sheep, goats, and cows.

The Moroccan tourism industry showcases its natural beauty and many urban cultures, between its many coastal cities, historical districts, and excursions into the mountains and deserts.

Cities of Note:


Rabat (Arabic: الرباط, Al-Ribāṭ) and Salé (Arabic: سلا‎ Sala) — Twin cities, the former the proper capital defined by government work, the latter more vibrant and where most said workers life. The area was originally settled by Phoenicians, and in the 18th century, Rabat and Salé were famous as a pirate-run republican city-state.
Casablanca (Arabic: الدار البيضاء, al-Dār al-Baiḍā') — The largest city and commercial capital, famous for playing host to a gigantic mosque and having pretty much everything. Most major Moroccan companies are based in Casablanca, and pretty much any trip to the country must go to this city, as the center of the country’s transit system.
Marrakesh (Arabic: مراكش, Marrākush) — A very well-marketed Old City and a booming tourist industry as a result. Expect any scene in Marrakesh to involve at least one person being accosted by a street performer and his trained monkey.
Fez (Arabic: فاس, Fās; also written Fès, as that's how it's done in French) — Morocco's cultural and religious capital, featuring not one but two Old Cities, the Al-Karaouine University (an Islamic institution of higher learning founded in 859, making it one of the world's oldest universities), and a great number of mosques and institutions of religious learning besides.
Tangier (Arabic: طنجة‎, Ṭanja(h)) — On the southern side of the Strait of Gibraltar, it has a strong Spanish influence and has the strongest maritime tradition, thanks to its strategic location. Ports and seafood abound!
Ifrane (Arabic: إفران/يفرن Ifrān) — Nestled in the Atlas Mountains and built by the French, it’s been called "Morocco's Little Switzerland'' due to its architecture, imported European plants, and its cold temperatures with snowy winters; the town is a ski resort. Home to Al Akhawayn University, a western styled university
Meknes (Arabic: مكناس‎ Maknās of Meknès) — The fifth-largest city (when you count Rabat and Sale together), was once the capital of the country before being moved to Marrakesh and then Rabat. As a result, it has a large number of very old royal buildings. It is also very close to the very attractive ruins of the Roman colony of Volubilis and the pretty—and living—town of Moulay Idriss, the oldest Muslim settlement in Morocco.
Chefchaouen/Chaouen (Arabic: شفشاون, Shafshāwin) — A city famous for the beauty of the Rif Mountains and its pretty buildings decked out in white and blue. However, this region grows an appreciable fraction of the hashish in Europe.
Essaouira (Arabic: الصويرة, as-Ṣawīra) — The original home of the Moroccan Navy, although foreigners are more attracted to the musical festivals, surfing, Jimi Hendrick’s vacation spot, and weed.
Agadir (Arabic: اگادير, Āgādīr) — Resort city, funded heavily by fishing and tourism
Ouarzazate (Arabic: ورزازات‎,: Warzāzāt) — Nicknamed “The Door of the Desert,” the city is famous as the launchpoint for desert excursions as well as a filming location.