Morocco Travel info

The geography of Morocco spans from the Atlantic Ocean, to mountainous areas, to the Sahara desert. MOROCCO IS A NORTHERN AFRICAN COUNTRY, BORDERING THE NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN AND THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA, BETWEEN ALGERIA AND THE ANNEXED WESTERN SAHARA. IT IS ONE OF ONLY THREE NATIONS (ALONG WITH SPAIN AND FRANCE) TO HAVE BOTH ATLANTIC AND MEDITERRANEAN COASTLINES.

CLIMATE IN MOROCCO

The country’s Mediterranean climate is similar to that of southern California, with lush forests in the northern and central mountain ranges of the country, giving way to dryer conditions and inland deserts further south east. The Moroccan coastal plains experience remarkably moderate temperatures even in summer, owing to the effect of the cold Canary Current off its Atlantic coast.
In the Rif, Middle and High Atlas Mountains, there exist several different types of climates: Mediterranean along the coastal lowlands, giving way to a humid temperate climate at higher elevations with sufficient moisture to allow for the growth of different species of oaks, moss carpets, junipers, and atlantic fir which is a royal conifer tree endemic to Morocco. In the valleys, fertile soils and high precipitation allow for the growth of thick and lush forests. Cloud forests can be found in the west of the Rif Mountains and Middle Atlas Mountains. At higher elevations, the climate becomes Alpine in character, and can sustain ski resorts. CULTURALLY SPEAKING, MOROCCO HAS ALWAYS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN COMBINING ITS BERBER, JEWISH AND ARABIC CULTURAL HERITAGE WITH EXTERNAL INFLUENCES SUCH AS THE FRENCH AND THE SPANISH AND, DURING THE LAST DECADES, THE ANGLO-AMERICAN LIFESTYLES.

LANGUAGES IN MOROCCO

Morocco is an ethnically diverse country with a rich culture and civilization. Through Moroccan history, it has hosted many people coming from East (Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Jews and Arabs), South (Sub-Saharan Africans) and North (Romans, Vandals, Andalusians and Moors). All those civilizations have had an impact on the social structure of Morocco. It hosts various forms of beliefs, from paganism, Judaism, and Christianity to Islam.
Since independence, a veritable blossoming has taken place in painting and sculpture, popular music, amateur theatre, and filmmaking. The Moroccan National Theatre (founded 1956) offers regular productions of Moroccan and French dramatic works. Art and music festivals take place throughout the country during the summer months, among them the World Sacred Music Festival at Fès.
Each region possesses its own specificities, thus contributing to the national culture and to the legacy of civilization. Morocco has set among its top priorities the protection of its diverse legacy and the preservation of its cultural heritage.
MOROCCAN MUSIC IS OF AMAZIGH, ARAB AND SUB-SAHARAN ORIGINS. ROCK-INFLUENCED CHAABI BANDS ARE WIDESPREAD, AS IS TRANCE MUSIC WITH HISTORICAL ORIGINS IN MUSLIM MUSIC.

MUSIC IN MOROCCO

orocco is home to Andalusian classical music that is found throughout North Africa. It probably evolved under the Moors in Cordoba, and the Persian-born musician Ziryab is usually credited with its invention. A genre known as Contemporary Andalusian Music and art is the brainchild of Morisco visual artist/composer/oudist Tarik Banzi, founder of the Al-Andalus Ensemble. Chaabi (“popular”) is a music consisting of numerous varieties which are descended from the multifarious forms of Moroccan folk music. Chaabi was originally performed in markets, but is now found at any celebration or meeting. Aita is a Bedouin musical style sung in the countryside. IN 2001, THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OF MARRAKECH (FIFM) WAS ALSO HELD IN MARRAKECH.

TRADITIONAL CLOTHING IN MOROCCO

The traditional dress for men and women is called djellaba; a long, loose, hooded garment with full sleeves. The djellaba has a hood that comes to a point called a qob. The qob protects the wearer from the sun or in colder climates, like the mountains, the qob keeps in body heat and protects the face from falling snow. For special occasions, men also wear a red cap called a bernousse, more commonly referred to as a Fez. Women wear kaftans decorated with ornaments. Nearly all men, and most women, wear balgha (بلغه) —- soft leather slippers with no heel, often dyed yellow. Women also wear high-heeled sandals, often with silver or gold tinsel.