The magic of Morocco

The Kingdom of Morocco sits proudly on the tip of North Africa. It is cradled by the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, dotted with beautiful rugged mountainous interior. Morocco’s coastline on the Atlantic Ocean reaches past the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea. The Atlas Mountains sits in the center and the south of the country, and the Rif Mountains in the north of the country. These mountainous ranges are mostly inhabited by the Berber people, who are the ethnic group and the originators of Morocco. As neighbors it has Spain on the north, Algeria on the east, and Western Sahara on the south.

The capital of Morocco is Rabat, although the largest city is Casablanca; other major cities worth a visit are Marrakech, Tangier, Tetouan, Salé, Fes, Agadir, Meknes, Oujda, Kenitra, and Nador. Morocco is a rich cultural blend of Arab, Berber and also other African and European influences. Officially the language of communication is Literary Arabic. However people also communicate in Moroccan Arabic referred to as Dareja, Berber and French.

Moroccan people have keen interest in painting and sculpture, music, theatre, and filmmaking. The Moroccan National Theatre (founded 1956) offers regular productions of Moroccan and French dramatic works. One can come across numerous art and music festivals throughout the country during the summer months, among these the most awaited festival is World Sacred Music Festival at Fès.

Morocco grows Mediterranean fruits and vegetables in abundance and this clearly reflects in their dietary intake. Moroccan cuisine is known to be spicy and has strong Arab and Berber influences.  The famous dishes of this region include Couscous, Pastilla , Tajine, Tanjia and Harira. A Moroccan trip without tasting Couscous will be an incomplete journey.

Morocco offers plenty of opportunities to sports and adventure seekers. The beautiful lakes that are dotted over the area have fishes aplenty and are an absolute delight for those who love fishing. The serene mountains are a feast for those who love hiking, mountain biking and even paragliding, cannoning and pot holing. The Moroccan Switzerland or Ifrane as it is called, enguls tourists with its beauty, its summer coolness, winter snow and the traditional “mule-ski” trails.

The vibrant colors of Ouarzazate, the camps filled with life and frolic in the dessert, the chalet in the mystic mountains, the lip smacking authentic local cuisine make Morocco an unforgettable experience. The enchanting blue waters of Dakhla bay will remain on ones memories for good. And of course, if you are lucky you might just about end up meeting the royal pink flamingos, the migratory birds which fly through this region.